Lately, I've just been drinking up the lies the devil throws at me.
Specifically, about body image. It is the most debilitating thing, this constant awareness of how I appear to others. It's a full-time job I have, micromanaging myself. And it's not healthy.
I find the more I focus on me -- what I'm going to eat, wear, do -- the less I seem to care about digging into God's Word and exploring the truth there. Instead, my eyes vacantly scan some verses during my morning meal; then I head to class and forget everything I just read.
Lately, my lack of intimacy with the Lord has been gnawing at my insides, which shouldn't be a surprise, given the truth of Psalm 32:3. Instead of enjoying sweet fellowship with the Lord, I find myself eaten up with guilt and shame over sins Jesus has already paid for. I find myself doubting if I am really even saved in the first place.
Then, the Lord provided this verse that hit my heart:
"In Him and through faith in Him
we may approach God with freedom and confidence."
~ Ephesians 3:12
we may approach God with freedom and confidence."
~ Ephesians 3:12
Freedom and confidence. The very two things I feel I have been lacking lately. Freedom, to live without a mind chained to the past, to my sin, to guilt or shame. Confidence, in what the Lord is doing in me and through me, in who He has created me to be, and what He has rescued me from.
I also found this wonderful passage that reminded me of what the Gospel is, and how truly simple it is to trust in Christ to be saved:
"That if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, 'Anyone who trusts in Him will never be put to shame."
~ Romans 10:9-11
In short:
You can believe the Bible.
You can believe God.
+ It's difficult for me to do this at times, but as I hope this post will demonstrate,
He is with You every step of the way.
// All photos found online; not my own photography //
~ Romans 10:9-11
In short:
You can believe the Bible.
You can believe God.
+ It's difficult for me to do this at times, but as I hope this post will demonstrate,
He is with You every step of the way.
// All photos found online; not my own photography //
"Lately, I've just been drinking up the lies the devil throws at me."
ReplyDeleteMy word, I needed this. I've been feeling the exact same way. For some reason my guard against those tired old lies has been weaker than normal. Thank you for this.
I hate to hear that you're struggling, but I'm glad you can relate! To help, I've been reading about putting on the full armor of the Lord, in Ephesians 6 (I think) and that has been a help. Getting my eyes off of this world and onto the next is key!
DeleteThis was very relateable, so encouraging and I love your beautiful soul <3 Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteFeel free to email me any time and we can encourage each other in the LORD.
xx
Thank you so much! You are so kind. Glad you can relate! :)
DeleteThank you for this oh-so-poignant reminder, Erin:)
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome! :D
DeleteYou do not know how much these words resonated in my heart. I too struggle with the constant management of my body image, my mind counting calories or my hands fixing my hair. Although I still spend quality time with Jesus, the time that I spend dwelling upon myself deteriorates the moments that make up life. Oh, Erin, let's live in freedom and confidence not because of anything we've done or said but because of what Jesus has done and who He is!
ReplyDeleteYou have a new follower right here! Glad to meet you!
This comment means so much to me. Body image struggles are the hardest to break out of. I feel like they're always on my mind! Thank you for letting me know that you struggle, too. Because we can still spend that quality time with Jesus like you said, but also waste so much mental space on ourselves. And that's where I'm at presently, but through prayer, I'm finding that God is here with me in that struggle. Thank you so much for this comment! It encouraged me a lot :)
DeleteNice to meet you, Hannah!