I know you sometimes feel ordinary but you’re not.
You are one of a kind ~ a unique and beautiful blend of all God wants you to be.
You are God’s prized possession, a valued treasure of great worth.
You may feel invisible…like you are just one of millions of others.
But God sees you.
And when God sees you, He sees someone He loves.
In Isaiah 43:4, God says, “You are precious and honored in my sight …. and I love you.”
He sees someone He knows.
David said in Psalm 139:1, “You have searched me, LORD, and you know me.” God knows you, too.
Since God knows you, has a purpose for you and loves you just the way He made you, I have no doubt He wants you to feel the same way.
He’ll do whatever it takes to help you get to a place of accepting and embracing your His heart for you so you can become the woman HE created you to be!
Here is the song I feel like God chose for you this week. I hope you’ll take a few minutes to watch, listen and let Him tell you just how beautiful you are! {If you are reading this via email, click here to watch it since it’s not viewable thru email.}
You really are…
Beautiful
Loved
Cherished
Chosen
Treasured
Sacred
You are His!
May God’s sweet affirmations replace all those comparisons. As you identify, understand and embrace who HE created you to be, I’m praying that, like the psalmist, you’re learning to say with confidence, “Lord, You created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb, I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well” (Ps. 139:13-14)
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To celebrate God’s heart for you — my friends at DaySpring have graciously given me 5 sets of “God’s Heart For You” giveaways to share with 5 of you!! {{so excited!!}}
To enter the “God’s Heart for You” GiveAway share your answer to one or more of the questions at the end of the chapter 8. OR if you haven’t read that far yet, share your thoughts about today’s music video or blog post. Can’t want to hear from your heart :-).
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After our life group meeting tonight, we’ll be starting week 6 and Isaiah 43:4 is actually taking root in my heart, not just my mind. After reading all the FB posts from chapter 8, I’m looking forward to reading that chapter. Thank you, Renee. You have made a world of difference in my life.
Ok, so I haven’t finished reading the chapter yet. In fact, I’ve just gotten started! So I am not sharing an answer to a question, but…. I did want to share that I LOVE the opening quote on the first page of chapt. 8!! That quote excites me! It stirs the passion in me! After I read that quote, my reading got interrupted and I never got back to it that day, but I had a whole day to just chew on that quote and it was cool. So now, I pick up the book to try to read more and I really wanted to share that the sentence on the second page of chapt. made me laugh out loud here in my car as I wait in the “car pick up line” for school. “Feeling like a third grader living in a grown woman’s body, I wondered…” Been there, felt like that!!
Thanks for the laughter, Renee!
And thanks again for this book! It’s awesome!
Haven’t finished reading chapter 8 yet but I’m still thinking of what was in the previous chapter about us comparing our inside to someone else’s outside. Funny how something that is so obvious when I think about it never really occurred to me. A great reminder when I am comparing myself to others. Trying hard to break the bad habit of constant comparisons and just concentrate on being the best me I can be.
Just wanted you to know that it has been such a good study and I hope to use it in my life — just knowing that God loves me — een singing and rejoicing over me — is mindbogging!
I love that song. It is such a perfect reminder of how God sees us and how we sound see ourselves. I love this study.
I have finished the chapter but have not answered the questions. I must confess that the last three chapters have been very hard for me to walk thru. Thank you ladies for being real and posting.
Praying for you Brenda. This is a tender topic. Praying you feel God’s grace wrapping around you tonight and that You can read His words and hear Him whispering His love and affirmations to your heart. You are not alone. He is there with you – and we are here for you!!
Wow it never ceases to amaze me that you take the time to answer. I really appreciate the prayers and kind words. Your book has been a huge step in the healing process that God has been taking me thru. The encouragement from everyone is so uplifting and spurs me on to a better relationship with our Savior. Thank you again for hearing from God and leading this study.
I have not finished the chapter yet, but this song has been one of my favorites for quite a while!! This chapter has been so encouraging to me because I have been on quite a journey over the last several years and while it has been difficult, still is, I know that God has allowed these things into my life to make me let go of everything and cling to Him and what he says about me. This book has helped me in this journey so much. While I’m still unsure what the outcome of a particular situation will be, I know that I’m going to be ok and that with God, I can handle anything. I’m finding my confidence in Him and that is making all the difference! I’m so glad I came across this study on facebook and joined in. It is speaking wonders to me!
We all are beautiful in His eyes!!
I LOVE that you found me and the online study through Spirit FM!! Thank you for sharing that Christy. You made my heart smile so big tonight!
There truly could NEVER be a more beautiful YOU!!! Thank you for sharing your heart and your story. Praying you see the beauty He’s given you to share. Satan would love for you to miss it completely but trapping you in comparison. Let Jesus love you and radiate through you – you are so much more than you even know!! You are loved, chosen, cherished and treasured!! Shine friend, shine!!
Loved this piece thanks for sharingf it.
I have learned so much from this book! The Lord has really been working on my heart and I”m so thankful that He led me to read this book just by a simple Proverbs 31 devotional Renee gives on my local radio station-Spirit FM. After hearing her devotionals, I looked up her blog and sure enough it was around the same time she was starting this book study. God’s timing is so perfect, isn’t it?
All the chapters have been challenging and I’ve learned from all of them, but this one has been especially challenging for me because it hit me right between the eyes with my current struggle. I too often compare myself to my tall, blonde, beautiful, fun loving, talented roommate who has a “magnet” type personality. This really hit me this week, “Comparison causes us to compete with each other, but NO ONE wins. God never intended for us to compete with each other, He wants us to complete one another, celebrating and encouraging each other’s strengths while discovering who He created us to be.” This week I have been embracing Ephesians 2:10 and have been learning more about myself-about the talents God has given me and believing the truth that God made me as His child to fulfill a unique purpose. Another amazing song that relates to this lesson is: “More Beautiful You.” By Johnny Diaz. “You were made to fulfill a purpose that only you could do, there could never be a more beautiful you.”
I’ve heard that song many times, and it touches me each one. But watching the lyrics scroll with it, against the pictures chosen for the video brought a whole new, and much deeper, dimension to it for me. Thank you so much for sharing it as part of your post about all that we are in Christ.
The first thing of chapter 8 struck me and I haven’t been able to let it go. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and then go do that. I’m trying to narrow down those things that light me up so that I can go out and accomplish what He wants me to do. I’ve had a rough year losing friendships (thought they were) but in the end through this study and another finding HIM, then Him leading others into my life that I never saw coming. I had to rewrite who I am, I am Loved, I am Treasured, and I am Beautiful. A year ago I could not have believed any of them but now I KNOW all of them. Thanks Renee. Many blessings to you and your family.
Looks great Renee! And the post was beautiful! I look forward to sharing with my ladies group!
Question 7, God has been guiding me through a situation that I never thought I would ever be in for the last 3 years. I am standing in the gap for my prodigal husband and my marriage to be restored. Even though it is a dead marriage in the eyes of the world, it is not dead in God’s eyes and He has called me to pray daily and stand on His word that he will move the mountain. Through out this time I have had many ups and downs but God always guides me through. Throughout this time God has placed other women who are going through the same thing in my path and I have been able to share with them what God has taught me. This book has given me the courage to look further into what God has planned for me down the road and how He can use me to help more women. If any of you feel led, prayer is always welcome for my situation, in one week my husband is planning on marrying the OW. Thank you all in advance.
Stacia-
Bless you for listening to God and valuing sacred vows. May God restore you marriage and what Satan has stolen.
Praying for you Stacia. God is using you mightily – right where you are, with exactly what you are doing. Your faithfulness inspires me so much!
Hi, This has been an encouraging chapter…(I’ve underlined a bunch…just want to remember…) I can relate to the “undiscovered dreams”…as I lived through others (and am still working on this one). It took me all the way to 50 to start seeing that I have individual gifts that God has given me. Individual trials, individual struggles and things that I thought were weaknesses…that He has made into strengths. I still struggle to accept certain things…some still bring pain, often…but God, being Who He is…knows what He is doing and I must count on that fact. He has used my weaknesses to help others just as you mentioned on pg. 151.
I compared myself with others because I am more introvert…and extroverts are the ones you see and hear around you, usually…so I thought I was a freak for not being more like them. They would try to pull me into what they were doing, but I didn’t feel comfortable at all. I finally read a book about being an introvert (that a friend had mentioned)…now I understand more about me…and it’s okay to be different!
I am melancholy (which goes along with introvert often). I used to think melancholy personality was kind of a curse or something…that all the other ones were good, but melancholy was bad. But now I see differently…God has us each made for what He wants us to do in life…we are all a part of the whole. (Like His description of the Body of Christ…each serving a purpose…and together making up the whole.)
I do believe that God created me with unique desires and dreams. I dream of wholeness (emotional) for members of the Body of Christ…that true healing would come to many people who struggle. I also enjoy the arts (esp. fine arts) and would like to see them resurrected in the Body of Christ…God as Creator and we made in His image…to glorify Him!
Thanks for the “Beautiful” song…I love that one…still trying to let it sink into my heart though….Seems like something is holding it back…
God bless!
Sorry I was so long winded…had a lot to say…(and that’s the short version )
I love that you were long winded — just chatting away. Enjoyed every word — and my favorite part is that you are learning to LOVE your melancholy! We need tender, detailed oriented, sensitive and kind Melancholies!! My heart is smiling thinking about your personality and dreams!!
I so understand Carla…I am struggling with the same things…i like wehen we are “long winded” on here…it is a safe place where we can be…I am the same melancholy and have felt the same as yu…So, I guess we both need to embrace it and be who God created us to be…God bless you my sweet sister..
Carla, just wanted to say from one melancholy to another…I used to question my personality, too! I felt like there was something “wrong” with me. But God has been tenderly showing me that there isn’t anything wrong with me. He created “melancholies” for a reason. 🙂 He has plans for us just like He does for all of the other personalities. 🙂 So glad He has been showing you the same thing!
Renee: I love all the thoughts about how God wants to use our experiences to encourage others in question 6. One of the ways I believe He is using this fact in my life is through being mom to a terminally ill child. Even this morning at Bible study, the Lord crossed my path with a sweet lady whose path had crossed mine years ago. She said to me:” I can’t believe I’m seeing you today. Do you remember years ago how you encouraged me? I was just telling someone about this yesterday!” To be honest, I didn’t remember how I possibly could have encouraged her, but she went on to explain in great detail. How interesting that something I considered run-of-the-mill, she is still sharing with others, years later. Then God gives me the pleasure of seeing her again and providing encouragement to me through her words! Doesn’t His grace just run full circle?Blessings to you today!
Being mom to a terminally I’ll child must be one of the most painful things God calls a mom to. I have spent years taking care of oncology patients and I love that population and their families. I am sure God blesses you greatly. I hope you have WONDERFUL support at your side dear mother! May God richly bless your family right now!
Karen – as a cancer survivor 🙂 I thank you for your heart towards oncology. It must be difficult to care for us daily, but I also know that God uses each one of us. Within an hour of my 1st hospital stay (getting the port in) I had a wonderful prayer partner right there in the hospital! She encouraged me through the 1st difficult stay and continues to be there for me each time I go back in.
Oh Rachel, I’m so thankful you share this with me/us. I love how Jesus timed it for you to see her. Hoe He gave you that sweet gift of encouragement of being remembered, being used to touch someone else’s life. What a beautiful offering of His love you are!! You are such a picture of faithfully serving right where you are –pouring out His love and mercy, tenderly shepherding the precious flock He’s given you and caring for your little lamb the way you do. I am inspired by your heart, moved to the core by your story and your beautiful faith. Love you to you my sister-friend!
Oh Rachel, I’m so thankful you shared this with me/us. I love how Jesus timed it for you to see her. Hoe He gave you that sweet gift of encouragement of being remembered, being used to touch someone else’s life. What a beautiful offering of His love you are!! You are such a picture of faithfully serving right where you are –pouring out His love and mercy, tenderly shepherding the precious flock He’s given you and caring for your little lamb the way you do. I am inspired by your heart, moved to the core by your story and your beautiful faith. Love you to you my sister-friend!
Oh Rachel, I’m so thankful you stopped by and shared this today. I love how Jesus timed it for you to see her. How He gave you that sweet gift of encouragement… of being remembered, being used to touch someone else’s life.You are such a beautiful offering-pouring out His love and mercy, tenderly shepherding the precious flock He’s given you and caring for your little lamb. I am inspired by your heart, moved to the core by your story and your beautiful faith. Love you to you my sister-friend!
I was just thinking about how ordinary I am compared to a famous singer or a wonderful writer like Renee and wondering what God created me for. I want to be content in knowing he did create me for something great and beneficial to the world. I am expecting great things and to make an impact in this world.
Sher you are so right, God does have great things for you, and only YOU can fulfill them. Keep that beautiful chin held high knowing that He made you to do something wonderful!! I feel inadequate too sometimes. But I just stop myself, pray for God to take that feeling away and in no time at all His grace once again comes to the rescue. I am praying for you too dear sister in Christ. Have a wonderful day today, knowing you are loved!!
I haven’t read far enough to answer the questions…so, I will answer the second part- The video was a great reminder, although I don’t feel it today! I know we are made for so much more than this….but some days, its so hard to remember! I am His and pray to be embrace who HE created me to be.
I compare myself to others as a wife, mother, daughter and in ministry. UGH! God is showing me I don’t have to live by self-imposed rules to succeed. I just have to simply be who He made me.
As a 41-year-old confident hearted woman, I am finally able to put my dream into words!!! It’s really been an exciting process picking up my Godfidence everyday and recognizing how He can use my uniqueness to glorify Him. A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to make an interactive website for my job. I was really nervous about writing the scripts, what to wear and reading the teleprompter. Turns out, I had no need to be nervous; it was the funnest (is that a word?) 4+ hours ever of any job I have ever had! I would love to be on camera sharing my story with other women–I would love to make my living speaking to and ministering to other women in any way, especially this way.
So proud of you friend! Praying you will start right where you are video blogging and encouraging women with the gifts and message God’s given you!!
do not have this book BUT this post made me cry…i am a hot mess and yet i come here and read this and listen to sog and Blessed am i by you and God…tytyty :O)
Karen, the book will truly change your heart and your life! I’m praying for you today as God cradles your tender heart. Lisa
“Has God allowed you to walk through experiences that you can see Him working for good in your life or in the life of others?” Most recently, I have been in probate for 4 years waiting for things to be settled. Over and over I gave the situation to God and said,” Lord this is way to big for me, I give it to you…tell me when to act, but until then I rest that you are in control”. Finally, after 4 years He is allowing me to act. “Will I use this to help others?” You bet!!! My Heavenly Father has a plan for me. I told a young man at the coffee shop today…”God has a plan and He has a lot more brains than me;He has the blue prints”.
I don’t know what is in the future, but I know who holds my hand.
~Shalom~
really enjoyed seeing this wonderful music video about how we are beautiful.
I too truly enjoyed this music video. It touched my heart and bought on different emotions. I have had rough patches this year in my life and this was uplifting to me. I’m a stay at home mom and sometimes I wonder if I should be doing more than this – but after this video and starting this online bible study I know this is what He has planned for me right now. And He will help me to become the woman He knows I will be. Loved, Loved, this music video.
This song always makes me feel special! Cherished, treasured, chosen! Thank your for the reminders.
God be with you Deena as you go through this trial..The world will try to take our joy but as you said “You bet” God will use it for good!!! Love you sister…Peggy
Deena,I can relate with you I’ve been through a lot of trials and just pray to God to hold my hand and be with
me all the time and I know one day I will find the peace I’d been longing for. God Bless.