April 27, 2021
Dealing with Feelings
Kelly Balarie
Today’s Truth
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light” (1 Peter 2:9, NIV).
Friend to Friend
Have you ever felt left out?
I remember, as a kid, sitting on the curb at recess while the other girls in my class jumped rope. I sat alone. I stared at them. Inside, I knew where I stood with these girls. I wasn’t welcome. I had tried to join their club before; it didn’t work out so well.
Recently, I felt like that little girl on the curb again. It happened when a group of women laughed. They simply shared an inside-joke that I didn’t understand and, yet again, I felt left-out. I got triggered. I called the women “clique-ish” in my head and I hated their actions.
Yet, when I got home, I believe God prompted a thought. It occurred to me like this: “Is it the girls that you really hate – or, is it you, Kelly, that you really hate?”
Wow. Maybe my hurt has nothing to do with them and everything to do – with me.
I stopped to think…maybe I hate how I don’t feel good enough. Maybe I hate that I don’t have a best friend. Maybe I hate how that fact seems to declare me unworthy and unwanted.
Am I flawed?
My husband told me this morning, “Kelly, you are who God says you are. Walk in the fullness of that reality.”
He’s right. Scripture says that we, as believers, are a “chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that (we) may declare the praises of him who called (us) out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9, NIV.)
My friend, no matter how people treat you, I want you to know that you, truly, are chosen by God. He handpicked you. He gave you a unique fingerprint. He formed and fashioned you just right, even before you were born.
You are royalty in His eyes. You are the kid of The King. Not only this, but you are holy. Holy means “set apart”, which means you may not be included in everything, at all times. God sets us apart to set good and important things within us.
You also are God’s possession. He owns you. God takes care of what He owns. Look at nature. Doesn’t nature testify of God’s amazing ability to steward beautiful things? The sunrise. The ocean. The birds. God’s creation is beautiful. You are too.
It is vitally important for us to know that we are wanted, chosen, and worthy of God’s love. Hard things will sometimes happen to us, but we rise above circumstances when we remember who we are in Christ Jesus. Keep your eyes on God more than you keep track of the offenses of man.
Why? Because it is through Christ’s love that we learn to stand firm and strong – no matter what we face.
In this, your heart won’t continually break; but instead, it will continually proclaim the excellencies of Him who is great. You will have much to be thankful for and much to share with those around you. This sort of Christ-sourced life is powerful.
Truly, my friends, the more you know God and the more you know who you are -- the less insecurity has leeway to plague you.
Do you know who you are? Do you know the great love of Jesus?
Let’s Pray
Dear Lord, sometimes I do not feel that great about myself. I am asking You to heal the places of insecurity and uncertainty within me. I am asking You to restore me in Your love. I am asking You to renew me in the fact that You are faithful and true, righteous and good, holy and wise. In You, I am safe. In You, I am loved. In You, I am chosen. May I know this in my heart, even more than I do in my mind.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
- Where have women hurt you?
- How might God’s truth want to heal you right now?
- What might you need to see differently?
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© 2021 by Kelly Balarie. All rights reserved.
Originally published Tuesday, 27 April 2021.
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