Embracing the beautiful

For You formed my inward parts;
You covered me in my mother’s womb.
 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.

 My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.
And in Your book they all were written,
The days fashioned for me,
When as yet there were none of them.

 How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!
How great is the sum of them!
 If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand;
When I awake, I am still with You. – Psalm 139:13-18

Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel—  rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. – 1 Peter 3:3-4

I read not so long ago that we can tell what we deeply care about by what grieves our hearts.  There are many things that come to my mind, but one thing that entered my mind after I read this was the epidemic I see today—women who are chained to poor self-esteem and low self worth. 

One doesn’t have to look far to see it.  Sometimes their words are filled with self-doubt and self-hatred, and other times they say nothing at all.  Sometimes it is seen in their eyes, you can tell just by the way they look at you they are afraid to be seen and to be known.  It is a look I know well, because many times, I’ve seen it in my own reflection. 

The lies of the enemy

Every woman’s journey to such a dark place begins with a single lie, a lie that comes from the enemy of our souls.  He’s been targeting us since the beginning of creation, using his sly words to weaken us and draw us away from our Creator.  Don’t believe me?  It’s all there in the Bible--read Genesis and see who Satan set out to deceive first—Eve. His lies may be different now, but they are still lies.

I don’t believe I was born with low self-esteem.  In fact, if anything I was born with vanity.  I never seemed to doubt that I was beautiful.  It didn’t occur to me in the first years of my life that I was anything except beautiful.  While I’m thankful to let go of the sin of vanity, somehow I’ve found myself at the other end the spectrum.  It’s a sin to hate, so any form of self-hatred is a sin.  But do we really have to live in either extreme?  I don’t think we do.

The first lie I remember wrecking my confidence came after my diagnosis.  I went from a thin, frail and beautiful young girl to one whose body was completely changed and swelled up due to prednisone.  I doubled my body weight in six months.  I had no real control over this, as the medication causes the body to not just gain weight, but it also causes redistribution of body fat to places that are undesirable, particularly the face, back of the neck, and abdomen.  In other words, you don’t just gain weight, you gain it in a very odd, unnatural way.  My skin was also red, due to my illness, another factor I had absolutely no control over.  The doctor I was going to at the time was pretty heartless.  In effort to “motivate” me she told me that “you need to do sit ups more because little boys don’t like fat girls with cherry tomato cheeks.”  That moment, one comment, began a lifetime struggle with my body image and self-esteem.  How I wish I could go back now and tell my former self, “Stephanie, what she said is not a reflection of who you are, but it says a lot about the cruel person she is.”  But at the time, I didn’t have that wisdom and just took her cruelty as truth.  It was the beginning of many experiences that would send a message to my soul that I was worthless, unwanted, and ugly.

Finding the truth

My three-year-old niece is into all things princesses and dress up.  She is confident and radiant and secure in who she is, and it’s a beautiful thing to watch.

“I look wonderful!,” she exclaims. “I’m a princess!” 

I realized the other day that in her three-year-old wisdom, she’s living closer to the truth than I have been.

She is wonderful.  She is fearfully and wonderfully made.  And one day, we all hope she’ll come to know Christ, making her a daughter of the King of Kings, a Princess.  I love to watch her embrace and believe in herself.  The thought of her one day battling the lies that I’ve battled all my life, completely breaks my heart.  I don’t ever want her to lose her confidence, her light.  More than that, I don’t want to be a bad example to her in form or fashion.  I’m her “Aunt Stephanie.”  How I live has the ability to affect her. And I know it’s time for a change.

I refuse to continue living in the shadows of the lies I have mistakenly believed all of these years. 

Embracing the beautiful

Women were created as the crown of creation.  We were made in the image of God.  We are a special reflection of God and His character.  We represent His heart, His beauty.  We have value and worth.  We have immense value and worth.  Anything less than that—it’s a lie.  I may struggle with the lies for the rest of my life, but I’m going to do all I can to seek healing in this area.  I’m tired of living a life that is less than the best God has planned for me.  I’m not sure exactly what all God has planned for my life, but I’m certain that I can be much more effective in my purpose if I start embracing who He says I am, if I allow Him to take those broken parts of me and heal them into something beautiful.  I’m tired of embracing the lies; For the first time in my life I'm embracing the truth; I’m embracing the beautiful.

To all the ladies who are reading this—if any of this resonates with you, I strongly encourage you to seek healing.  It may be a long road.  I know I still have a long way to go, but I’m not giving up.  Actively seek healing.  Find every Biblical resource you can to overcome this area of your life.  I highly, highly recommend “Captivating” by John and Staci Eldredge.  Don’t forget, you are loved, you are special, and you have value and worth.

Trusting God in the Desert

The last five years have been, in many ways, the most difficult of my life. I can't and won't go into the intricate details-much of it is much to personal for a blog-but I can say the many setbacks and trials have left me with questions. 

A lot of questions, that seem to have no clear answers right now. 

Among the questions I wrestle with the most, is why I feel God has called me to be certain things, yet I feel no closer to living into those callings than I did when He first placed them on my heart. It makes no sense to me, and I cannot begin to understand it. Many times, I feel like I'm not fulfilling my purpose, like I've somehow failed God or myself. I don't understand it. 

But I'm learning that I don't have to understand it. 

One thing God has been repeatedly placing on my heart lately is that I don't need to cling to the promises I feel like He's given me... I need to cling to Him. There is a difference. Christ is the only thing we need to hold with closed fists, ever tightening so not to let go. Everything else-including the questions-we need to hold with open hands knowing the One who loves us and saves us will ultimately place in our hands what we need when we desperately need it. I recently read:

"Since God is my all-satisfying Treasure then what makes something good is whether it brings me more of God.

So when God promises that we will lack no good thing, he means we will lack nothing that would bring us more of God and we will have everything that would bring us more of God."[1]

I'm starting to realize how true that statement is, how marvelously simple and complex it is, all at once. If I thirst for righteousness, anything God grants in my life, good or bad, will bring me more of Him. That isn't just something that sounds good. It's a Bible-based truth-

"Matthew 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. "

I'm also realizing that we are most hungry and thirsty in the Desert. The times in our life that seem dry and suffocating, those are the times God can use the most to satisfy our thirst and breath new life into us. We have a choice to let those times hamper our growth, or we can choose to wholeheartedly embrace them and allow God to work. We learn way more about deep trust and faith in the valley than we ever can if we only stay on the mountaintop. 

Right now, I definitely feel like I'm in a desert season. Yet, I don't resent this season the way I did a few days ago. No, contrary to what the natural reaction is to it, I'm actually grateful for it. It's created a deepening hunger and thirst in my life, and God has already been faithful to fill that hunger and thirst. I know I'm entering in to a season of growth, and I'm excited to see where that takes me. 

As for the questions, I'm starting to place them in God's hands. I don't understand everything that is happening in my life right now, nor do I need to understand. I don't need all the answers, because I already have the greatest Answer. He is with me in the desert. He is with me always. 

Link to "Desert Song"

http://youtu.be/CuNCtsm6YvA

[1] http://www.desiringgod.org/articles/gods-promise-for-the-disappointed

Thoughts on Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day! 

I have a confession to make. Mother's Day feels like a day of happiness and sadness to me this year. 

Happiness, because I'm so very thankful for my mom. It takes a special kind of woman to not just be a mom but a caregiver. I know I would most likely have succumbed to my illness years ago had it not been for her. She was the one who knew something was wrong, before anyone else, and fought for answers. She's sacrificed so much for me and I'm so thankful for that. She's faced so many battles and still remains gracious and loving. She's also a wonderful "grandma" to my fur kids, which leads me to the other reason I'm happy on Mother's Day. I may not have human children, but I have two of the most beautiful cat children in the world. Ariella and Toby bless my life on daily basis and it is an honor to be their "cat mom."

Yet, there's still a part of Mother's Day that hurts. 

When you have a chronic illness, you feel left out of many things in life. I've felt especially isolated lately, which makes days like this even more difficult. It's even harder when you feel left behind in an area that you deeply desire for your life. For as long as I can remember, the deepest part of me has always wanted to be a wife and a mother. Other desires and interests would change, but that never wavered. More than that, I've felt like God put a calling on my heart for that, which makes it even more confusing. If that's His purpose for my life, why does it seem so impossible?

Then I think of Ruth, who traveled to a foreign land with her mother-in-law out of obedience, and I wonder if she thought her days as a wife were over, her chances to be a mother gone. I'm sure in some ways, it seemed impossible. 

I think of Abraham and Sarah who thought it was so impossible to have children at their age that they tried to rush ahead of God. Yet God's plans still prevailed despite their impatience, and Issac was born in their old age. 

So I remind myself today, that God is still able. God is still good. God will be good if He blesses me with my own family one day. God will be good if He does not. In the meantime, I thank Him for what I have now and pray if a family is in His ultimate Will for my life, He is preparing that road for me. I pray He molds my heart for the man I'm supposed to marry, and shapes his heart for me. I pray for wisdom and discernment in all things, and be faithful in the tasks in my life now.

 

I've read so many great devotions this week on Morher's Day, some I could relate to and some I could not, but the one below really touched my heart. It reminded me how blessed I was to have spent so many years investing in kids through children's ministry. I pray I'll get strong enough to do that again, and it will feel like an even bigger gift if I am ever strong enough to return! In the meantime, I am privileged to be an auntie to London and Paul and I pray that God will use me to positively influence their lives! 

So ladies, no matter what you are facing today, whether you have children or not, know God can still use your maternal instincts- your wisdom, your compassion, your grace- to bless those around you and change the world for the better! I pray you feel blessed today, no matter what your circumstance. 

A special Mother's Day devotion from Joni Eareckson Tada:

Mother's Day

"'Sing, O barren woman, you who never bore a child; burst into song, shout for joy, you who were never in labor; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband,' says the Lord." 

Isaiah 54:1

For years my husband Ken and I tried to conceive a child. I knew of other spinal-cord-injured women who gave birth to children, and was convinced I could do the same. I planned to turn my art studio into a baby nursery, and my wheelchair into a "stroller." I could even envision holding my baby in a "kangaroo carrier" on my wheelchair. But it wasn't to be. After many tests at an infertility clinic, Ken and I realized we would not be able to have a child.

At first, I was devastated. But then we realized we already had a family. A worldwide family. We began to rejoice anew over the thousands of spiritual children -- especially children with disabilities -- that my story had touched over the years. Ken and I began to pray in a deeper, more specific way for these young people. Almost over night God took away the pain and emptiness of my barren womb. I almost plastered an Isaiah 54:1 bumper sticker on the back of my wheelchair!

There's a reason for every woman to celebrate Mother's Day -- even those who, like me, do not have children. Any woman, whether single or widowed, can enjoy rich relationships with boys and girls in their neighborhoods, churches, and extended family. If you have never given birth to a child, ask God to show you a young person whose life you can spiritually nurture -- it'll be a reason to "burst into song and shout for joy." Look up Child Evangelism Fellowship at www.cefonline.com to find ways you can share Christ with young people.

Lord God, I'm glad You take delight when we provide spiritual 'parenting' to children in our sphere of influence. Use me to bring more boys and girls into Your kingdom!

Blessings,

Joni and Friends

Pearls of Great Price

Copyright © 2006

by Joni Eareckson Tada

Published in print by Zondervan, 

New URL

I've made a slight change in my URL to my blog. It is now:

http://countitalljoy3inamillion.blogspot.com/

Count it all joy for James 1:2-4!

May you have a blessed weekend!

Contentment and joy

Philippians 4:11-13 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. 

1 Timothy 6:6-7 But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 

Contentment-

Rest or quietness of the mind in the present condition; satisfaction which holds the mind in peace, restraining complaint, opposition, or further desire, and often implying a moderate degree of happiness.

James 1:2-4 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 

JOY, v.i. To rejoice; to be glad; to exult.

There are two words have been swimming around in my heart and head lately, and they are contentment and joy. 

In the last few years, I've discovered a lot about these subjects. True contentment does not mean everything in your life is easy. True joy comes from a heart that continues to praise in the worst of circumstances. 

About nine years ago, I thought the only way I could find joy and contentment was through great health. I was so tired of the physical suffering, but I was even more tired of the judgement and persecution I faced from my peers at the time. I was so desperate to be better, I pushed myself way harder than I was ready for. I ended up going way too fast in physical therapy, which caused widespread inflammation. A few years later, those areas of inflammation calcified and now much of my body is covered in hard rock calcium deposits. I had been foolish to think I was somehow in control of my healing. I realized that I could do what I could to make improvements, but the actual healing was not in my hands. Healing was and is always in God's hands. 

After coming to this realization, I began to sincerely pray, not my will, but Your Will be done Lord. The years that followed those prayers became the most difficult of my life. The little health I had quickly slipped from my grasp, until I was nearly dependent on my mom for everything. I tried with all my might, but abilities just disappeared one after another. At first, I really struggled to stay content. I felt tortured. The physical pain was excruciating. My body was weak and the aching relentless. At times, I dealt with ulcers on my skin or extreme itching. I barely had the strength to survive, so I spent much of my time was isolated and lonely. The worst part of it all was that the medications had negatively impacted my mind where I struggled to read or write, two things I found comfort in. On top of that, writing was one of my few ways to connect with others, and the loss of it added to the isolation. 

It was a dark, difficult time. 

But slowly, God began to work on my heart. I began to be grateful for the blessings in the midst of the suffering. We are always blessed far beyond what we deserve, even when it doesn't seem like it. God provided in that time. His Love and Concern for me was evident in those times, because even during the worst times in my life, He has given me the greatest lessons. He's taught me so much in the darkest days. He taught me much about sacrifice through my mom's loving care for me. He taught me that healing doesn't always come in leaps and bounds, but sometimes in small but praiseworthy ways. He taught me much about gratefulness, because once you lose so much you realize how precious what you have is, and when you gain abilities back you have a thankfulness about them you never did before. He taught me that I can minister to, pray for, and encourage others, even if I'm bedridden and only have a cellphone as means to the outside world. He taught me much about faith and hope, because I had to cling to such things in the hours of desperation. And yes, He's taught me so much about contentment and joy. 

My contentment and joy is not based on my circumstances. My contentment and joy is based on the One who saved me from sins and sees me in my suffering. God is more concerned for my spiritual maturity than He is for my physical health. I've grown to accept that, and I know this may not be what I wanted my life to look like at thirty; but I truly believe this is where God wants me at this phase of my life. I hope for more and continue to lean on God's leading as I confer with doctors and take medications....But I leave those tools in His hands. If He chooses complete healing, I will praise Him. If He chooses that I go backwards-though I pray and hope I do not-I will praise Him. If He chooses to give me partial healing, as He has in the past few years, I will praise Him. I will be content when I feel horrendous and when I feel marvelous. I'm not here to be healthy; I'm here to be Christ like. 

The past few weeks, it has come to my attention that there are some who confuse my contentment, joy, and acceptance of my circumstances as giving up, and being unwilling to try. People who believe that clearly don't know me, or the many things I've done to try to improve my situation. Honestly, it gets so frustrating to be persecuted for something you can't control, to be judged by the healthy because you are not as fortunate as they are. It hurts. It hurts doubly when it comes from a source that professes to be a Christian and is called to care for you. I've spent many hours contemplating "why Lord?"... Am I not doing what You have called me to do? Depending on You no matter what? Learning to rest and be content in these circumstances? Why must I fight persecution on top of what I'm already dealing with?"

And last night out of the blue, the Holy Spirit reminds me 

"You are not here to please them. No matter who they are, you are not here to please them. You are called to please your Heavenly Father above all else. And learning to be content and joyful in the worst of times is what you are called to do. When you are persecuted for my sake, you share in the sufferings of Christ. You are mine. You are loved. Don't let others steal or dampen the contentment and joy you have found. It is precious. It is rare."

And there has been a unique peace in my heart ever since. 

I still hope and pray that one day God will choose to heal me completely, but if He chooses to keep a thorn within my side for the rest of my life, I will still choose to be content. I will still choose to praise Him. I'm not resigning myself to a life of sicknesses by doing so; I'm simply obeying the Master's divine plan for my life. 

His Will be done. 

Not mine. 

2 Corinthians 12:7-10 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 

Here is a song that has really encouraged me lately-- I hope it encourages someone else. 

http://youtu.be/2VNbeYCxtEw