Scripture: Psalms 139:14

Wonderfully Made

You were created with intention and thoughtfulness by a loving maker. God took his time crafting your personality, quirks, and preferences. He knows everything about you because he is the one who carefully knit you together. He sees you clearly, and he loves you without restriction. He is delighted by you simply because you are his. He relishes his creation!

Though everyone is different, we are all equally loved by our Maker. Instead of letting comparison steal your confidence, focus on what God says about you. His opinion is what matters most. As you spend time getting to know him and filling your mind with truth, you will learn to love what he loves. This includes seeing yourself through his eyes. If you have a negative opinion of yourself, don’t mistake it for humility. Instead, learn to look at yourself with awe and wonder. God created you!

God’s fingerprints are everywhere, yet you are his greatest masterpiece. There is nothing in creation that God delights in more than you! You are the apple of his eye and the object of his greatest affection. To him, you are more beautiful than the most dynamic sunrise or the most incredible display of stars. No matter what your opinion of yourself is, his love for you is greater than you can understand. He is not disappointed by you, and he does not regret creating you. You are not broken beyond repair, and you are not an exception to the truth. God’s love for you is extravagant. Not only does he love you, but he has created you with a unique and particular purpose. If you ask him to share his thoughts about you, he will not hesitate. Thank God today for making you just the way you are, for he does not make a single mistake!

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 9:7

Joy of Approval

Every child wants to feel the approval of their parents; even as adults, you still might long for acceptance. You were created to be delighted in. Every part of you is woven together by a God who loves you and wants you to experience his love in tangible ways. Your desire for acceptance and approval is part of you. What really matters is where you go to find that acceptance. You will only be truly satisfied when you look to God for approval. 

It’s not uncommon to look at God as though he is constantly disappointed. This feeling of rejection can lead you to turn away from him even when his grace and mercy beckon you to come closer. You might fear that he is bothered by your actions or let down by your poor choices. In reality, God cares more about your heart than he does the little rules you follow. While it is good to live in a way that is pleasing to him, there is no need to be enslaved by a list of requirements. Your obedience to him is intended to be built upon a foundation of mercy and grace. 

When you have followed God for a long time, certain behaviors can become almost synonymous with your faith. As a Christian, you must carefully dance your way through the balance of living to honor him and knowing that your actions don’t validate your salvation. The key to this dance is having confidence in God’s consistent approval of you. There is nothing you can do to lessen his acceptance of you. It is solidified because of what Jesus has done. When he laid his life down for you, he secured your freedom for all eternity. Through Jesus, you have the approval of your heavenly Father. When he thinks of you, he smiles. You are always on his mind, and he is not disappointed in you.

Scripture: Psalms 18:19

Breakthrough of Love

You’ve probably had conflict in relationships that left you feeling unsteady and insecure. Maybe you disappointed a loved one, or there is distance in a friendship that wasn’t there before. It can feel disconcerting to be unsure of where you stand with someone. Relationships can be complicated, and everyone experiences conflict at some point. A lack of security can make you question the validity of the relationship or even your identity as it relates to a specific person.

While it’s good to be emotionally aware of your relationships, your sense of validation is meant to come from God, not others. When your sense of belonging comes from where you stand with others, you set yourself up for disappointment. Searching for security in other people’s opinions is like walking on unsteady ground. You might be able to find your footing sometimes, but overall, your steps won’t be reliable or consistent.

True security comes from communion with your Maker. His approval of you is consistent and unchanging. His love for you is strong and steady no matter how you feel. His opinion of you doesn’t change as you experience trials or frustrations. He is not capable of misunderstanding you, and his communication skills are perfect. By understanding his love for you, you can experience a sense of confidence that is unwavering. When your sense of belonging comes from him, it cannot be taken away.

You can always be assured of God’s great love. There is no need to question if you are secure in it. The power of God’s love cannot be overstated. His mercy and kindness are uninterrupted even when you choose your ways over his. When you turn your heart toward him, he will gently correct you and guide you along the right path. If you ask him for mercy, he will never leave you floundering in your mistakes or wondering how he feels about you. Take a deep breath and rejoice, knowing you are fully loved and cared for.

Scripture: Psalms 34:15

Overseen

What incredible promises you can hold on to as a child of God! Let the Word of truth refresh your spirit and breathe new life into your soul. When you submit your life to the Lord, you can trust his faithful love to cover you in all you do. He watches over you, helping you whenever you cry out to him. Nothing is hidden from his sight. He sees every problem and knows exactly what you need to overcome it.

The fact that God sees everything you do is not meant to be an indictment. Understanding that he is all knowing shouldn’t cause stress, frustration, or shame. Rather, the incredible knowledge he has of your life is meant to equip you and create a sense of safety. He sees every moment of your life with perfect clarity. There is nothing hidden from him. He sees your circumstances, reactions, and intentions. He knows every detail you try to control, and he is aware of every situation you cannot see coming.

Let God’s all-knowing sovereignty draw you closer to him in worship and dependence. Lean on his vast understanding rather than your limited viewpoint. Cry out to him and ask him for help every time you need it. He longs to give you insight, and he wants to lead you down the best path. He sees each moment of your life, good and bad, and he looks at you with great love and affection.

There is no limit to the number of times you can cry out to God. His resources are never depleted. This is true about his character as well. He never runs out of goodness to share with you. He is patient, kind, and trustworthy. You know what it’s like to grow weary and overwhelmed. God, on the other hand, is not bound by your physical and emotional restraints. He has an abundance of kindness to offer whenever you turn to him. You can trust his faithful love to meet you where you are today.

Scripture: Psalms 16:11

Way of Life

God is faithful to lead his children through life. He doesn’t want you to commit your life to him and then figure everything out on your own. As you follow him, he becomes your prize, your pleasure, and your portion. One of the greatest joys of the Christian life is consistent, lifegiving communion with the one who made you. He can satisfy the longings of your heart. He is overwhelmingly good and consistently gracious. In his presence you will find true joy and realize that being with him is what you were made for.

In a society bent on the pursuit of personal happiness, remember that God’s presence is the only place to find true joy. Any other good thing will only bring temporary satisfaction. You’ve probably experienced the euphoria of getting something you want only to quickly divert your attention to something else completely. You were not created to manufacture happiness. Instead, you were created to experience the goodness of knowing the God of the entire universe. In him you will find the fulfillment of your deepest desires.

You were created to know God throughout every season of your life. Run into his courts with praise and follow him as he guides you on the path which he himself has laid out for you. It is a good path, planned for your benefit, and there is joy in his fellowship along the way. His path for you leads to eternal life. A day is coming when you will experience the pleasure of living with him forever. Until then, he will never leave you or forsake you. He wants to be your constant help and companion through every single one of your days.

Don’t deprive yourself of the goodness he has planned for you today. Turn your heart toward him and acknowledge that he is the best leader you could possibly have. Submit to his plans for your life and willingly follow wherever he leads you. You can trust him even when you’re unsure of your next steps.

Scripture: Numbers 6:25

God’s Smile

It’s easy to get so caught up in the chaos of life that you forget to enjoy God’s presence. If you live under the tyranny of the urgent, before you know it, your life will be a constant hustle to keep up with the pace. One way to fight against a frantic mind is to slow down and experience God’s delight in you. He smiles over you, and he wants you to have a tangible understanding of his love.

When you are tempted to give in to anxiety or a constant need for productivity, shift your mind to God’s perspective. Take time to revel in his love for you. Breathe deeply and remember what really matters. God is your respite and your source of strength. No matter what storms you face, he is with you. No matter how confusing, unexpected, or frustrating your circumstances are, he is faithful. You can be strengthened by his kindness and encouraged by his delight. He longs for you to turn toward him.

Let God’s blessing wash over you. Close your eyes and listen to his voice. It is calm, life-giving, and powerful. God desires good things for your life. Rest in his kindness and let his peace soothe your tired soul. You are held and eternally loved by your Maker. He keeps you, and he hems you in. He wants you to experience his affection and know that he is smiling over you. You are dear to him, and nothing can remove you from his hands.

As you experience the joy of his presence, you will be strengthened to endure the trials you face. Whether your difficulties are big or small, God will graciously guide you through them. Run to him, pour your heart out at his feet, and let his delight in you be a source of encouragement. Whenever you turn to him, he will respond with abundant grace and mercy. He will always be there for you when you need him.

Scripture: Psalms 139:3-4

Well Loved

The care of a loving parent is powerful. A loving parent always seeks what is best for their child, empowers their child to grow, and provides safety and protection when needed. Confidence in your parents’ love gives you a firm foundation, and healthy family connections provide a safe harbor for growth. While you might know what a good parent should do, you might not have seen it firsthand. Whether or not you experienced that kind of love in your early years, you have a heavenly Father who loves you perfectly.

Just as a parent knows the tufts of their child’s hair, the shade of their eyes, or the shape of their hands, God is intimately aware of you. He reads the pages of your heart like an open book. He knows each of your thoughts, and he sees the journey you will embark on. Nothing about you surprises him! He is not shocked by your sins or swayed by your status or success. He loves you simply because you are his child. You cannot convince him to love you more, and you cannot diminish his opinion of you. When he looks at you, he sees someone who is made in his image and is a delight to his heart.

If you struggle to accept God’s lovingkindness, allow your heart to be changed by the Word. Speak truth over yourself and ask God to give you confidence in his love. This is a prayer that God loves to answer. As you walk hand in hand with him, he will faithfully build up your sense of security and trust. Experiencing his love is something God definitively wants for each of his children, including you.

God wants you to know the security of his affection and the sense of empowerment that comes from his love. He is intimately aware of you, and he longs to affirm and equip you. He knows you better than anyone else, and he offers you all the love and acceptance you need. He is ready and waiting for you to respond to him. Each day you have an opportunity to embrace his love for you and be strengthened by his presence.