I have something really important to tell you today. Lean in close. Really let this get past your self-doubts and into those assurance-seeking places in your heart…
Yes you. The beautiful one sitting there looking at the screen.
I know it’s hard to believe sometimes, but it’s true. You fill God’s heart with absolute joy and every day you take His breath away with your smile.
Just a slight glance in His direction makes Him pause. He loves the unique way you do things. He really enjoys watching others love on you and bring out His best in you. And He’s not critical of your mistakes like you sometimes think, or waiting for you to do something productive. He simply delights in you because you are His. And that is enough.
It took me 20 years to understand and 10 more years to truly believe this was the reality of God’s love for me. The same was true for my friend Sheri Rose Shepherd who I’ve asked to be a girlfriend guest blogger with us today. Like many of you, I’ve been blessed by God’s words written through her, so today I’m giving away a copy of her book, “His Princess.“ More about that in a minute.
Sheri Rose is a woman who can relate to almost any woman’s battle. A former Mrs. United States, she grew up in a dysfunctional home and was severely overweight as a teen. As a young woman, she battled depression and an eating disorder. In spite of an English teacher telling her she was “born to lose” and a learning disorder—Dyslexia—Sheri Rose has (in God’s strength) become a Best Selling and award-winning author. Sheri Rose is also an internationally known speaker and Bible life coach.
Today, in my devotion on P31 and Crosswalk, I shared about God’s lavish love for us and how He wants us to live “loved” because we are. Then I asked Sheri Rose to share with us what she believes is the most important thing for women to know, so we can grasp the depth of God’s love for us. Here is what she said:
People often ask me, “How did you break free from your painful past and the lies and learn to embrace truth.” To be honest, I still have to fight the lies I’ve believed about myself. It seems to be the battle each woman I have met faces.
Many of us have experienced what I call “Spiritual Identity Theft.” We’ve somehow lost our confidence in who we are in Christ, and we feel worthless or wounded by someone’s words.Others of us hold in our hearts a false identity. We believe a lie about ourselves and we have allowed that lie to define us.
I understand what it is like to feel worthless and walk with a wounded heart from hurtful words. Perhaps you’re just recognizing the root of the lie you have been living in.Maybe it was hurtful words spoken to you by a father or mother, brother or sister, teacher, boyfriend or husband. Maybe it was an employer who thoughtlessly felt like dumping lies on you.
I don’t think those hurtful words are easily forgotten but I do know healing and wholeness can become reality in our lives when we learn how to embrace God’s truth.You do not have to let others’ hurtful words define you anymore. They did not give their life, as Jesus did, to prove your worth. We are Daughters of the King of Kings whether we feel like it or not.
Let me be a spiritual mentor and give you the three keys to unlocking lies and finding your true identity, I call it “a truth makeover.”
1. Know the Truth. You Are…
- Chosen By God (John 15:16)
- A New Creation (2 Corinthians 5:17)
- Holy and Pure (1 Peter 2:9)
- A Trophy of His Grace (Ephesians 2:8)
- His Princess Warrior (2 Timothy 4:7)
- His Beloved Bride (Psalm 45:11)
2. Speak The Truth…
Whenever a lie is spoken to you or a lie enters your mind, speak this Truth out loud…
“That is a lie. My worth is not in what anyone else says about me or what I feel at the moment.”
3. Fast Off Speaking Lies
Try a seven-day fast by not speaking anything negative about yourself or repeating any lies that have been spoken over you or about you. If possible, ask a friend to hold you accountable to speak only truth.
4. Read this Love Letterfrom God:
My Chosen Daughter,You are royalty even when you don’t feel like a princess. How you feel about yourself will never change the truth of who you are in Me. You are My treasure, and I have chosen you. If you ever begin to doubt your significance, just look to the cross and remember I gave my life to prove your worth. I see your heart and I know you fight to find truth. So start by recognizing who I am: the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and your Daddy in heaven. Saturate yourself in My truth and you will discover how loved and treasured you are.
Love, Your Lord who is Truth
Living Loved Give-away
- 2 Free BibleLife coaching sessions(One winner)
30 days of spiritual mentoring with Sheri Rose
You keep one session and give one away!
- Rest Assured message on CD by Renee Swope
How to Stop Worrying & Start Resting in God’s Promises
2 copies of this message on CD (one winner). You keep one and give one away!
- His Princess: Love Letters from Your King
One book by Sheri Rose Shepherd
***********************
To enter to win, click on the word “comments” below this post, and type in the white box. Sheri Rose and I would love to know your first name, your age, where you are from, who you will invite to do the Bible life-coaching sessions with you or who you’d give the extra of my message on CD to. Please be sure to sign up for email updates in my right sidebar (so you will know if you win), or leave your email in your comment so we can notify you. I’ll announce the winner next Monday, March 7th.
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Thank you so much. Your submission to Encouragement for Today's Woman sincerely touched me and reminded that God is so close to me anwants the best for me. I am not worthy of His love but everyday He tells me that I am. I am striving to be better for Him, to be the woman that He wants me to be. Please pray for me, sending my prayers for you and your family.
Renee,
I read your posting on Jill Savage's site and it so spoke to my heart today. I am a stay-at-home Mom with four kids – a 5-year old son and 19-month triplet girls. Most days are joy-filled, but this week I had one of those days. I had to apologize to my son several times and explain that today Mama needed the attitude adjustment.
So, your posting lifted my spirits and reminded me of all the reasons I love to be at home, even when I don't do the job I want to do.
Thanks for sharing your heart:)
In His service,
Barb
[email protected]
Thank you, thank you, thank you! Tonight I so needed to read this.
If I received the coaching or cd's, I would share them with my wonderful mother in law. She has been such a blessing in my life. She deserves to be reminded again how loved she is.
I'm going to do the fast. It will be so hard for me but it is just the thing I need to do.
Thank you,
Jennifer
Hi I'm Karen, age 45, from central Illinois! I would share the gifts with my beautiful sister Deb. Thanks so much for your wonderful words of encouragement! God bless!
I'm Amy, and I'm 32. If I were to win, I'd share either one with my friend Susan. She's been like my mentor for the past few years, and this year has been hard for her. I know that she likes Sheri's book and that she'd love to hear more from her.
Thanks!
Amy
My name is Beverly. I just turned 31 in January and I live in Grand Rapids, MI. I am a single mom of a 6 year old little lady. I would share this with my friend who is going through some tough times.
A friend sent me to your website and this is the first time I have looked through it. How inspiring, comforting, and just what I need. Wish I would have known about it sooner!
Thank you!
My name is Jaymie, I am 40 and I live in Indiana. I would share the coaching or CD with my SIL. She has had SO much stress this year already and I am worried about how she is holding up with everything.
Thanks!
I'm Jane, 49 and live in NC. I would share the life coaching and/or CDs with my neighbor who has faced many difficulties this year.
Can I just say I am sobbing right now! I just left a leadership conference and I so needed to here this today. I have really been struggling with discerning God's voice within ministry lately and because of my past, allowing satan to get in those jabs. I have come a long way in my journey but find myself at yet another crossroad. I would share the gift of coaching with a friend who is having difficulty in her marriage and who is also burdened with a dysfunctional upbringing. The Cd's I would share with another gal within this group who is also struggling with realizing who she is in Chrst.(the heart – not head knowledge!) Thank you so much for your words and sharing your journey with us! You have both blessed me this day.
Monica Turley (40 yrs in 2 weeks!)
[email protected]
Thank you, thank you , thank you for this huge and much needed encouragement and reassurance. I hadn't heard of Sheri Rose's books but will investigate. And Leebird, first to post here…I could also have written that first paragraph! I'll be turning 42 this year and very disappointed in my responses to God in the past two years. I don't want to waste any more time or go round in circles and would like to get right past all my fears, resistance and hang-up's!
Hi! I'm Adrienne, 36, and from California. I'd love to share the coaching with my friend, Jennifer, who has a hard time accepting God's abundant grace and love.
Thanks for offering such a great blessing!
[email protected]
Dear Renee, Thank you so much for your loving message today, I believe it was God's reminder to me at this time when my heart was painful from repeated blows on already open wound!
I was holding my sleeping baby while reading halfway into your message, tears blurred my eyes forcing me to close and pray and thank Him who loved me so dearly.
Hi,
My name is Christina. I am 37 years old, and I live in Ohio. It was so encouraging to read your messages today; I've battled self-esteem issues since I was a girl and want desperately to break free from those chains.
If I received the gift pack, I would share the coaching with my friend Teresa. She has had two brain surgeries, which have left her with some visible deficits. She is an amazing woman who loves God with all of her heart and always seeks to be closer to Him.
I would share the CD with my mom (is worrying genetic??!).
Thank you for sharing yourselves with others to build up God's Kingdom!!
[email protected]
My heart about just jumped out of my skin when I read this introduction. Reading this today has encouraged me in a mighty way.
Dyslexia—Sheri Rose has (in God’s strength) become a Best Selling and award-winning author. Sheri Rose is also an internationally known speaker and Bible life coach.
I also struggled with dyslexia when I was a child. I grew up thinking that something was wrong with me.
I am forty five years old now and I am fighting hard to overcome this lie. The lie screams at me day and night, "you are dumb and your writing is awful."
Fear that something is wrong with me, I have a hard time stepping out and taking risks.
I want to write for the Lord and daily I have to work through the mental block of doubt and fear.
If I were to win I would share with my friend who is struggeling in her marriage. She is broken hearted, a mother of two, and she is standing strong to fight for her marriage. Her husband had an affair and he is overcoming a sexual addiction as well.
Hi-
I'm Amy, 31, and live in WI. My husband and I have 2 wonderful children-the youngest our first boy who is 5 weeks old. I would share the coaching w/ my twin sister. We could grow and learn together.
Amy V.
My name is Jennifer and I am going to be 50 this year. I have spent hours upon hours over 14 years time trying to learn and believe truth, and have once again found myself battling depression. The training you spoke of would truly be a gift. I know many of us need it.
The letter from our Father was very meaningful to me b/c it said "I see you fight for truth." The timing of this encouragement was truly miraculous.
The Lord has allowed me to minister, even in this place, to a friend named Lou Ann who grew up with a similar "religious" background and family. I would share any learning materials with her.
I would be more than grateful for any part of these offers. Thank you so much for confiding that it has taken you so long to learn and unlearn things. I have truly believed for a very long time that I am alone in being so slow to learn. Thank you for your ministry and your consideration.
Hi,
I am new to your blog (three days). A friend shared it with me and I am so needing the encouragment. I have been out of work since August due to downsizing of the company I loved working for. Looking for work has been difficult especially at the age of 58.
I would share the coaching or CDs with my friend Babs, she has had a lot to deal with in her life and has done so remarkably well. She is loving, caring and the best of friends.
Cathy (Burnsville, MN)
What an awesome blessing this post is and how wonderful it would be to win the giveaway! If I won, I would give the other gift to my sweet friend Mary, who is a daily encourager to me and those who know her. She is in the midst of a lot right now and I know this would encourage her the way she does for others.
Thank you so much!
Sarah
[email protected]
The fb post from Proverbs 31 is what led me to your site and today's post. Oh my, I began to cry when I read your words. I asked Jesus into my heart around the age of 6 and I've been involved in church all my life. But it hasn't been until recently that I am beginning to understand his love for me. It isn't based on what I do or what I don't do. He loves me no matter what. I feel like I'm on the 20-year plan, too. I'm trying to grasp it and I'm so thankful for his mercy and grace in continuing to show me just how much with posts like yours, songs on Christian radio, and devotions that continue to drill it in. HE LOVES ME! I have read His Princess through once and am in the process of reading it through again. Such beautiful words Sheri has written. I'm so thankful how God has used her book to speak to this heart that struggles to accept HIS unconditional love. I'm 40, live in the heart of NC, and if I should win would share these gifts with my friend, Missi.
Again, thank you for letting God speak his love through you to me today.
Sweet Blessings,
Pam
[email protected]
Thank you so much for your post. I needed that today! I have battled this my whole life and as I have been teaching 5th and 6th grade girls I am aware they are already battling the lies.