Hey Girl: A 5-Day Devotional by Anne Wilson

Scripture: Psalms 18:1-2

On Christ, the Solid Rock, I Stand

Rocks have always held a secret kind of majesty for me. As a child, I watched my brother’s collection grow as he treated each one as his treasure. One Christmas, he got a set of rocks and gemstones, and I marveled at their uniquely designed beauty. It seems there are lessons to learn about the natural world and the hidden beauty the Lord places in seemingly ordinary things. 

I believe the Lord uses the natural world to inspire us to long for Him. Think about the world we are all first introduced to—the one in which rocks are magical, and nothing tastes better than wild summer blackberries; the one where stomping in rain puddles is fun and blowing on dandelion weeds for wishes brings us unmeasured joy. As we grow up, we sometimes turn from appreciating beauty in the world to accepting what the world says is beautiful. Suddenly, we wish our hair were curly instead of straight, or we were two inches taller or 10 pounds lighter. When this happens, we become less satisfied with the face staring back in the mirror…and it seems something steals our smile. 

Maybe our Rock and our Redeemer made rocks to tell us an incredible story – not only of perseverance but of breathtaking beauty. Do yourself a favor and if you can’t look at rocks through a microscope, look up pictures of magnified rocks online. Some of them are more incredible than stained glass windows…and yet their beauty is often overlooked and undervalued. However, the Lord has always seen their beauty and says they cry out to Him in worship. 

Girls, maybe we have more in common with rocks than we realize. Perhaps we have a season where we feel trampled upon or where we feel like we’ve been weathered in a storm or two. But one thing is certain…even on the days it feels hidden away, we are made incredibly beautiful because we are made in the image of The Rock, the One who makes all things beautiful. 

Today, praise the Lord who not only made you for a purpose but Who has made you even more beautiful than the rocks. 

Scripture to Meditate On:

The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. – Psalm 18:1-2 

Reflective Questions:

• What is something in the natural world that you would like to observe more closely in order to give our Creator praise for the beauty of His amazing designs? 
• Are you more attracted by flashy gems or enamored by the secret beauty of everyday rocks? Which would you rather be and why? 
• What is something beautiful that God has given you? 
• Name one thing you think is beautiful about you 🙂 

Prayer:

Dearest Most High, Thank you that you stooped low to bend down to our humanity and show us your unfailing love. You are incredibly lavish with that love and delight us daily with brilliant sunrises, colorful wildflower bouquets, and glittering star-studded skies. But you also show us through rocks…both the majestic Grand Canyon kinds and the more everyday pieces that line our driveways or well-worn roads. Amazingly, You have tucked beauty in the most surprising of places, including me, Jesus. I thank you for the beauty You have given me, and if I get to be a rock in Your kingdom, may I cry out to you and point people to You, The Highest Rock on which we all stand. It is in Jesus’ name we pray…Amen!

Scriptures: Song of Songs 4:7, Luke 12:7

What You’re Worth

Hey Girl! 

Did you know that some of the most expensive things in the world are yachts, mansions, paintings, and diamonds? The Royal Family of Qatar allegedly paid $275 million for Paul Cezanne’s painting, The Card Players. That pales in comparison to the cost of building the Hubble Telescope – a whopping $2.1 billion, winning it the Guinness Book of World Records award for being the most expensive telescope. 

In our culture, we are hyper-focused on the worth of things and tend to measure that in monetary value. In fact, a whole industry has cropped up around appraisals, antiques, and pawn shops. Flipping through channels on any given day is liable to land you on Antique Road Show or American Pickers. 

How do we measure the worth of a human soul? How does God measure your worth? 

God says we are worth His time because He created us. He says we are worth His presence because He desires to spend time with us. Though we sinned against Him, he says we are worth His very life because He gave it to pay the debt of sin we could never pay. He says we are worth the gift of His Holy Spirit, whom He sent to continue to guide, energize, and inhabit us until He returns again. 

How much do you imagine one minute of God’s time is? How about one drop of Jesus’s blood? 

As priceless as He is, He says you are worth every second…every drop. You were worth creating. You were worth dying for. You are worthy of His presence. 

So the next time everybody and their mother tries to tell you what you are worth, tell them you’re a blood-bought priceless treasure! 

Scriptures to Meditate On:

You are altogether beautiful darling; there is no flaw in you. – Song of Solomon 4:7

The very hairs on your head are all numbered, so don’t be afraid. You are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows. – Luke 12:7 

Reflective Questions:

• What do you think is the most priceless item on earth? 
• How do you measure your worth on days when you are feeling critical of yourself? 
• What do you imagine Jesus would say to you if He was looking into your eyes right now? 

Prayer:

Dear Lord, Thank you that you surveyed the entire universe full of awe-inspiring planets and stars that outnumber my time to count them. You looked at the mountains that reach into the heavens you made…and the canyons that testify to your limitless creativity. You looked at the giraffes, hummingbirds, and mighty sea creatures, and you realized that although all those things were good, this world needed one more act of creation to be very good, and that was me! Thank you for making me with purpose and immeasurable worth…with gifts I have yet to discover that You will use for the glory of Your kingdom. Amen!

Scriptures: Galatians 1:10, Romans 12:2, 2 Corinthians 10:12

No Comparison

Hey Girl! 

Today, I challenge you to be honest with God and yourself. When you look in the mirror, what’s the first thing you notice? Are you critiquing and focusing on every flaw? When you look at other girls, what thoughts run through your mind? Are you thinking of all the things they have that you don’t? We can all fall for this trick of the enemy from time to time. 

Just this week, a sweet and beautiful friend of mine shared her struggle with comparison. She said she caught herself comparing her appearance to someone else and wasted half her day thinking about all the things she wished she could change. She wished her hair were straight instead of curly and that she were 5 inches shorter. Instead of thanking God for the breath in her lungs and the natural beauty that He bestowed on her, she confessed that she was stuck in a place of pride and self-absorption. It’s true. We can get so caught up in the opinions and views of our beauty-obsessed culture that we disregard the fact that we are fearfully and wonderfully made by our Creator, who made us just the way we are. What a great reminder it is to reflect on the fact that Jesus is perfect – without any flaws, and we are created in His image! 

The only comparison we should be making is evaluating our lives to determine if we are being Christlike in our thoughts and actions. We shouldn’t be focused on our outward appearance but instead should be concerned with renewing our spirits and minds in Jesus. We need to step back and remember that we do not serve the world and its interests but are servants of the Most High. Just like the old Christian hymn proclaims, we need to look less at our own face and instead marvel at that of Jesus…so that the things of this world will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace. The more our spirits align with Christ’s, the more quickly we begin to see our insecure thoughts fade. 

When you strive to have a heart after God’s, you start focusing less on yourself and more on Him. It becomes clear that He is your security, fulfillment, portion, and greatest love. He is so intentional in what He creates, and none of us are mistakes. He knows the number of hairs on your head, every thought you’ve had, and every tear you’ve cried. 

So the next time you catch the enemy whispering lies that put you down and make you feel as though you’re not good enough, I want you to think of the overflowing love your Heavenly Father has for you. The love He has for you cannot be expressed in words. Just think…He knew you before you were born, and He knit you together with great purpose and good works He has prepared in advance for you. You are exactly the person God designed you to be…made to be in the image of Christ. 

Scriptures to Meditate On:

“For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” – Galatians 1:10 

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” – Romans 12:2 

“Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding.” – 2 Corinthians 10:12 

Reflective Questions:

• What gifts do you think the Lord has given you? 
• How can you use these gifts to glorify the Lord and help build His kingdom? 
• What Scriptures can you memorize this week as your personal battle cries to combat lies the enemy tries to tell you? 

Prayer:

Lord, I come before you today in complete humility. I surrender my flesh and my earthly desires because I want to become more like you, Father. Lord, I ask that you break the chains of pride in my life so that I am able to walk in the freedom of your love. I pray that in this freedom, I will be able to see the beauty of your plan unfold in my life. Help me to appreciate all that you’ve blessed me with instead of being consumed with myself. It’s so hard when I’m constantly being bombarded with the pressures of this world, but I pray I will rest in the fact that Your power and love will overtake any plot of the enemy. Your Word never fails. It is in Your holy name I pray, Jesus…Amen.

Scriptures: Psalms 46:10, Psalms 46:1-2, Ephesians 6:11

The Lord Fights Your Battles

Hey Girl! 

Have you ever had one of those bad hair days when you burn your breakfast…and your tongue, your tank is empty, and you hit every red light on the way to your next stop? 

Or one of those hard seasons when you can’t muster the energy for everyday things. It could be that someone you love is struggling. Or you’re failing that class. Maybe you have been feeling rejected. Or perhaps you just lost your best friend. Sometimes, it feels like an epic battle to get out of bed and face another day. Let’s be honest, sometimes we spend Monday waiting for Friday. 

But we need to ask the Lord to show us the way to rejoice in this new day He has made…no matter our circumstances. 

In my home state of Kentucky, many people experienced devastating floods this summer that displaced them from their homes and neighborhoods. Some of them lost everything. Their possessions, family photographs, favorite clothes, and maybe even their beloved dog. Because of the powerful and destructive muddy waters, some of them did not have a house to come home to after nature took its course. How can we expect them to rejoice when circumstances have them at their breaking point? How can we rejoice when God gives us more than we are able to withstand? 

I believe in their toughest moments and ours, God reminds us of who He is and that we may have more than we can handle, but we never have more than He can handle. When we open His Word, we have the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of those who fought battles of the faith so that we can be encouraged that we, too, can be victorious in ours. 

Go back in time with me to a tough battle the ancient Israelites had to fight around the year 600 BC when Israel was conquered by another kingdom. Her people were carried away to the enemy territory of Babylon, a land that was not their home. Some of those taken captive were Daniel and his friends— Azariah, Hananiah, and Mishael, who were famously renamed with names that honored Babylonian gods. In total, about 10,000 soldiers, intellectuals, and artisans were taken away, leaving only the poorest or most unskilled to live among the dusty ruins. 

We can only imagine the internal battles and heartaches they faced as they found themselves suddenly homeless and feeling abandoned by God. How terrible to see your city destroyed and your home vacant. How desperate those first moments must have felt as they looked back and wondered if things would ever be the same. Will I live to see another day? What will become of my family? Where is God in all this? It is almost unimaginable the despair they must have felt to know they lost a battle that cost them their sense of security and identity…and possibly their faith in the God who loved them. 

One thing is certain: God never changed His mind about his love and care for them, and He will never change His mind about you. Just as He had a plan to sustain them over the next difficult season, He has a plan for you and will work all things out for your good, according to His purpose. You can be sure that if you find yourself in a battle…whether it be waged against your body or mind, God has already fought the battle, and He has already won. 

Don’t ever forget that you are a blood-bought and battle-fought child of the King! 

Scriptures to Meditate On:

Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” – Psalm 46:10 

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea. – Psalm 46:1-2 

Put on the full armor of God so you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. – Ephesians 6:11 

Reflective Questions:

• What is one of the toughest battles you are facing or have faced? Where do you see God in that battle? 
• Read Ephesians 6:10-18 about the Armor of God. Why do you think He gives you these particular tools for battle? 
• Do you think you need to find your armor, OR is it possible that God Himself is Your armor? 

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank you for always being in my corner and giving me everything I need to succeed in the battles that come my way. It is easy to become overwhelmed when I take my eyes off You, but please help me be laser-focused on Who You are so that my faith overcomes my fear. Thank you that you win every battle and that the weapon may be formed against me, but it will not prosper. You are so good to find me worthy of the fight. Thank you, Jesus. Amen!

Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 10:13, Isaiah 61

Jesus Frees The Captives

Hey Girl! 

Yesterday, we talked about how Israel was taken captive, but I purposely did not tell you the rest of the story…which has a joyous ending. While the day of destruction and captivity was heartbreaking beyond measure for the conquered and downcast Israelites, the Sovereign Lord kept His covenant and promise to His people, the apple of His eye, and allowed them to see freedom in their lifetime. 

While they suffered greatly over the next generation, this suffering was temporary, and some who thought they would never see Jerusalem again eventually returned to their precious homeland. Can you imagine the rejoicing when the Lord honored the cries of their heart and freed them from their oppressors? It must have been just as exciting as when he had done it for them centuries before when they were enslaved in Egypt. 

Can you see that the Lord has a tender heart toward those who are held captive? It may not be that an enemy nation is holding you captive, but we all have an enemy of our soul and sinful nature with a propensity to enslave us. Some chains are easier to see than others. We often feel anger or pity when we see someone addicted to drugs but hardly notice if they are addicted to social approval. It is obviously tragic when someone shakes their fist at God in defiance and unbelief, but we may not bat an eyelash at someone who rages against the person who slid into their parking space. From the Lord’s perspective, He probably sees a lot of areas in which we need freedom. And He knows He is the only way we will get it. 

In Isaiah 61, the prophet shares the Lord’s promise that the captives would be freed 100 years before Babylon conquered and exiled them. A century before Nebuchadnezzar conquered them, the Lord already saw the tearful yet joyful reunions as they returned to their city. He promises to bind up the broken-hearted and proclaim freedom for the prisoners. 

He still keeps that promise, which is sealed through the blood of Jesus, our Savior, who made a way for us to be truly free. We don’t have to live a life in chains to our sins… our past… our shame. A youth pastor recently shared a message in which he differentiated between condemnation and conviction. The former pushes us away from God, while the latter pulls us closer to Him and His loving heart. God does not intend for His children to be captivated by sin, nor does He want us to be taken captive in a prison of guilt and shame. 

Girls, we have a lot in common with the Israelites taken captive. Sometimes it wasn’t our fault., but sometimes it was. Regardless, God has always had a plan to free us. He stood in our place and paid all our debts, dying on the cross to cover every sin we have ever committed and every sin we ever will. He paid every debt we owed and chose to release us from soul-stealing shame. He opened the gates of the prisons we are not to dwell in. 

Like our spiritual ancestors who were caught up in captivity with no end in sight, we also can’t see the timeline that God does. We can’t see one year down the road, much less decades…or a century, but God can. And while our gracious Lord gives us many beautiful moments during our time here, we also realize that there will be hard seasons of loss. Of confusion. Of wandering. But isn’t it such a comfort to know we have a good Father with a good plan who never leaves our side? 

I imagine Jesus and the Heavenly host cheering us on in these hard moments. You think this is the end, but don’t you give up, girls! You don’t understand this part of the story, but I am the Author, and I don’t make mistakes. Turn the page, precious daughters. You feel like you don’t belong…like you are lost and wandering, But you do belong…you belong to Me. And you will always have a home with Me. You’re just not home yet. 

P.S. Don’t forget you’re free. It’s who you’re made to be. 

Scriptures to Meditate On:

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. -1 Corinthians 10:13 

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me…He has sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners. – Isaiah 61 

Reflective Questions:

• What captivates you? 
• What do you need to ask Jesus to free you from? 
• What would this next week look like for you if you walked in the blessed freedom that Christ died to give you? 

Prayer:

Lord, may I be the most captivated with You! Thank you that You love me so much that you don’t want to leave me enslaved to anything. Not other people’s opinions of me. Not a worldly mindset. Not selfishness or pride. Not a fixation on beauty or money or power. Thank you that you have planted a love for Your Kingdom in me and that You water it with your love and care. You are a wonderful gardener, pulling weeds that don’t belong so the fruits of Your Spirit can blossom within me. Thank you that I find the greatest freedom not in the work of my hands but in Yours. I love you! In Jesus’ name, I pray…