Do you ever look over at your kid and all of a sudden your heart swells with pride?

That’s how God looks at us. Even when we are knuckleheads.

Y’all, it’s seriously amazing to think about.

“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” – Matthew 6:26

Three days God waited.

Three days He stood by quietly.

Three days the world waited.

They wept.

But in three days Jesus rose up.

In three days Jesus conquered the grave.

He conquered sin.

He conquered pain and heartache.

He conquered the devil.

Let that get you fired up this Monday morning. If God can conquer the Grave, He can conquer anything this ol’ world throws at you. And don’t you forget it.

God always wins.

“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world–our faith.” 1 John 5:4

“The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.” Romans 8:11

It’s comforting to know that all day long God is only a whisper away. Our problems are never too big or too small.

He cares, and He is always there. We just have to say His name.

Whisper His name today. Call out to Jesus.

“Know therefore today, and take it to your heart, that the LORD, He is God in heaven above and on the earth below; there is no other.” – Deuteronomy 4:39

What do you do when inadequacy comes at you like a rushing river? When this world picks apart the vulnerabilities that you’ve spent years working through.

You have to learn to push past those lies. Don’t allow them to live inside your heart and soul any longer. There just isn’t room!

It’s important to remember that although we may crack under the pressure of living up to others’ expectations, God won’t falter. And we can stand strong knowing that God created us to be exactly who we are.

Push past the not good enough mentality.

God thinks you’re just right.

“Neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 8:39

Outside noise.

Drown it out

Drown it out with the word. With praise and worship. With love. Drown it out with sweet conversation among Jesus girls that have your back.

Do not let it infiltrate your heart and mind. That’s what the devil wants. That’s his scheme to get you off track.

The noise that’s blaring in your ears – don’t you dare believe it for a second.

“Let your eyes look directly ahead And let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you. Watch the path of your feet And all your ways will be established. Do not turn to the right nor to the left; Turn your foot from evil.” -Proverbs 4:25-27

Today I challenge you to set aside time for God for five days in a row.

Just Him and you.

No outside noise.

All your focus on Him.

He deserves it.

He longs for it.

And we need it, too.

Make time for God.

I promise that you will see a huge change in every aspect of your attitude and daily ins and outs.

“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”

⁃ Psalm 91:1

“Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” – James 4:8

Those fiery darts the devil is throwing at you – God is so much bigger.

You may bend, but God won’t break.

That’s a promise you can stand on.

So, chin up. Keep marching forward – even if it’s at a the pace of a turtle.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” – Hebrews 12:1-3

A terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.

We’ve all had them, and man do they stink. When one bad thing after another happens it tends to jolt us face forward into a pity party for one.

However, God has strategically placed beautiful, caring, strong women all around us. That #PrayerTribe we talked about – utilize them!

The ladies that turn your frown upside down. The ones that make you big belly laugh.

The ones that listen without judgment.

The ones that see you ugly cry on a random Tuesday – those ladies.

The friends that know your secrets, your flaws, your heart. Cling to them. Pray for them, and let them pray for you. They are your people.

“2 Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here; the LORD has sent me to Bethel.” But Elisha said, “As surely as the LORD lives and as you live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel.”

2 Kings 2:2

Remember when you were lost.

Remember when you were bound by shackles of sin and temptation.

Remember when you hit rock bottom.

There is someone within arm’s reach that is exactly where you were. There is someone close by floundering in self-doubt and hopelessness. There is someone that God needs you to relate to, to love, and then to pull out of the pit of despair that they are currently drowning in.

Remember when. Don’t forget.

“He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.” – Psalm 40:2

When I sit back and really look at myself it’s easy to think, “Man, I’m flawed.”

I’m so glad that Jesus loves me in spite.

Maybe there is someone in your world that your perceive to be flawed.

Maybe they just need someone to love them in spite.

Maybe that person is you.

I pray that God will open our hearts and our eyes to the people around us that are hurting for some sort of love in spite of everything they’ve done or have been through. In spite of all of their flaws.

Let’s choose to love.

“Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.” ~ Romans 13:8

“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” ~ 1 Peter 4:8