Welcome to our newest series, "It's Reigning Grace," written by our Writing Team. Make sure to bookmark this page and subscribe so that you don't miss a single post. Share it with your friends as this is a gift that will keep on giving. We are honored to meet with you here.
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Light It Up!by Shelley Hendrix
Each time he said, "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.
2 Corinthians 12:9 NLT
Panic. Insecurity. Inadequacy.
Ugh.
I hate these feelings, and yet, every year at this time of year, like clockwork, they surface within me. Like old enemies I thought I had put in my past and out of my life, they arrive without warning and certainly without invitation. And, yet, they arrive. (I really hate admitting this, too.)
The thoughts that try their darnedest to torment me are thoughts like, "Who do you think you are to try to do anything of value?" "What's the point in doing all of this when there are others already doing a much better job?" "You're only setting yourself up for embarrassment and failure." I could go on, but I think you get the gist.
As December turns into January and as I pack up another Christmas Season, I take a look at the upcoming events in a new year, and I wrestle with my own thoughts like the ones above and the emotions already confessed. Thankfully, Someone else enters into these thoughts and emotions with me, rather than leaving me alone to battle them myself. Someone who only speaks truth. Someone who always shows grace. Someone who loves me with an unfailing, everlasting, unconditional love. Someone who prefers that I acknowledge and confess this rather than fight it on my own.
Truth be told, I'd much rather experience HIS GRACE than my own 'greatness.' In other words, I much prefer depending on God's sufficiency than my own strengths. My determination, then, shifts from fighting a battle to resting in the grace of the Almighty who promises victory when I look to Him. With this in mind, I offer my little spark of a life to the Giver of Light and will trust Him to decide when, how, and where to let it shine!
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What about you? How have you chosen to handle these kinds of thoughts and emotions in the past? How do you purpose to handle them in 2013 and beyond?
We'd LOVE to hear your thoughts!
Shelley,
ReplyDeleteWhoa! Are you inside my head? Why do I do this negative self talk? My own insecurity...sometimes it's a spiritual attack. When this occurs I speak back to the enemy in agreement, "Yep, you're right. I'm unworthy and not able. So glad I have a God who makes me worthy and capable!" The negative thoughts then tend to flee. :)~Lori
Lori,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your honesty. It's nice to know this doesn't happen only to me and that there are others finding victory in Christ.
Blessings in the New Year!