faith unfaded

A friend recently asked if I’d talk with someone she knew who was struggling with self-worth following some poor life decisions. She was doing well but couldn’t get past the shame of her mistakes.

I identified deeply. There had been a time I thought I didn’t deserve joy. I knew I’d been forgiven by God, but had yet to find that self-forgiveness. Harder still was that I hadn’t received forgiveness from some who’d been hurt by my choices. If they couldn’t be happy, then how could I?!

It’s a tough spot to find yourself in and one that requires separating your sins from who you were created to be. When you are given a clean slate from God (Isaiah 43:25) and have become a new creature in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17), you can’t hang around that dead carcass even if those you’ve loved have built a campfire around it. You MUST see yourself as God sees you.

To withhold joy and peace from your new life is not only robbing you, it’s robbing God.

This didn’t happen overnight for me. I would read the verses, say the prayers, and talk to the mirror. And it helped. A little. But what helped me most of all was listening to this song on repeat, until it settled deep within my soul.

Now when someone’s words try to bring me back to that place, or the devil whispers his lies in my head, I play this song on repeat until the Lord’s words are the only ones I hear.

This week’s focus is on Psalm 139:14.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well.

Write the verse on a slip of paper and post on your bathroom mirror or refrigerator. Say the words out loud. Read them when the devil sets off a chain of intrusive thoughts in your mind.

And listen to the song on repeat until you believe every word!

Wonderfully Made, Matthew West (2012)

Once upon a time
Life was so innocent
Somewhere along the line
Your smile came and went
They made you feel like
You just don’t measure up
They try to steal your light
But you are a treasure of
The Maker of the stars, the stars

You don’t have to wonder
You are wonderfully made
Perfectly beautiful in every way
Wonderfully, wonderfully made
You’re anything but typical, it’s true
They ain’t seen anybody quite like you
God never makes a mistake
You are wonderfully, wonderfully made

See, once upon a time
There was a secret place
Where heaven’s hand designed
Even those freckles on your face
Some things you’d rather trade
Some things you try to fix
Love has one thing to say
It’s perfect just the way it is (just the way it is)
Just the way it is, ooh (just the way it is)

Once upon a time life was so innocent
I think it’s time that smile
Found its way back home again