When You Feel Overlooked, Look Up - iBelieve Truth: A Devotional for Women - August 29, 2024

"Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing." Isaiah 40:26

Recently, I have been struggling to feel seen, valued, and recognized for something – anything. Between the monotonous day-to-day routine of juggling kids' schedules, running errands, and tidying up the house, I feel these tasks quickly become somewhat meaningless. Ugh. I really hate to even admit that because as much as I love being a mom, I often feel overlooked and so unappreciated in this role. 

As I glare over at the dishes piled up in the sink and the laundry that has become stacked higher than Mt. Vesuvius, those all-too-familiar doubts and confidence killers start to rise up, and I begin to ask God what He really wants from me. Is this it? Do You even see me? Am I of any value?

Honestly, it’s so easy for the enemy to use our fixated feelings to discount the efforts we give and the impacts we are making on our family, friends, and community. Yet, it’s almost as if God knew His precious daughters would encounter negative waves of emotion, which is why I believe He ever so lovingly supplies us with countless stories of women in His Word—women who must have also felt lost, forgotten, and, yes, even overlooked.

However, when we think of powerful, strong, and faithful women in the Bible, it’s easy for the stories of Mary, Esther, Hannah, Sarah, or Ruth to come to mind. And while their stories are deeply impactful and share wisdom and hope, there are also “lesser known” women with amazing stories we can learn from all the same. 

Sweet sis, if you are feeling a little overlooked today, grab your Bible and sit with me as we unpack a few women of the Bible who hold a heavy heart but offer a powerful message. A message that will help us feel fully seen, fully known, and fully adored.

Turn to Genesis 16. There we meet Hagar. Poor, sweet Hagar. Quite possibly one of the most misunderstood women in the Bible. A woman caught up and intermingled in a love triangle that would change and scar humanity. Yet, God meets her and shows compassion for her. He saw her hurt, pain, frustration, and fear. She felt overlooked, but God helped her become known and feel loved (Genesis 16:1-15, Genesis 21:1-20).

Then there is Leah, the wife of Jacob, forever second to her beautiful sister, Rachel. She must have felt so unloved and overlooked, not only by her husband but her own father who made a devious arrangement for her marriage (Genesis 29:25-27). I can’t even begin to imagine the anguish she must have felt.

In Numbers 27, we meet five sisters also known as the daughters of Zelophehad. They followed Moses through the long and treacherous trek to the promised land. However, when they finally arrived, Moses decided each man and family would get part of the land, leaving these sisters without any land at all! Talk about feeling overlooked! Yet, God intervened and spoke to Moses reminding him that His daughters are worthy too (Numbers 27:6-7).

Friend, do you see it? Their stories are our stories. Her story is your story! 

I just love how the gospel provides proof that God takes notice of those who feel unimportant, unlovable, and unnoticed. That means the God who created and numbered the stars and put every living thing into motion knows you by name and has created you with purpose, on purpose. You are so very valuable to Him, and your contributions, no matter how big or small, how noble or mundane, are seen by a God who simply adores you! 

Father God, I am so very thankful that You give us a tender invitation as Your daughters to look up and seek You when we are overcome by negative emotions and feel overlooked and unappreciated. When we feel our contributions and efforts are pointless or meaningless, please draw close and remind us that the thief may be out to destroy our story and shift our perspective, but our gratification comes from You alone. God, grant us strength and joy to find purpose, even in mundane tasks, and remind us that You give us purpose in every single season. Thank you for being such a good Father. We love you. Amen. 

Photo Credit: ©Pexels/Tony James Andersson

Alicia Searl is a devotional author, blogger, and speaker that is passionate about pouring out her heart and pointing ladies of all ages back to Jesus. She has an education background and master’s in literacy.  Her favorite people call her Mom, which is why much of her time is spent cheering them on at a softball game or dance class. She is married to her heartthrob (a tall, spiky-haired blond) who can whip up a mean latte. She sips that goodness while writing her heart on a page while her puppy licks her feet. Visit her website at aliciasearl.com and connect with her on Instagram and Facebook.

Related Resource: Jesus Calling - Stories of Faith

Kerry Washington, Andrea Bocelli, Reba McEntire, Mark Wahlberg, Tony Dungy, and Matthew McConaughey—what do all of these people have in common? They are all people of faith who have leaned on God in both the good and challenging times—and they’ve shown up to tell their stories of faith on The Jesus Calling Podcast. The Jesus Calling Podcast provides a place for people from all walks of life to share the heartaches, joys, and divine moments that keep them going. 

Inspired by Sarah Young's classic devotional book, the Jesus Calling podcast has brought encouragement and peace to millions. New episodes drop every Thursday! Listen today on LifeAudio.com or wherever you find your podcasts.