Standing Firm

Various things have been going on lately, that assail my defenses & make me doubt my worth before God. It’s all too easy to measure myself by how others see me, especially those who don’t share my beliefs. By the criticism in their words, their gestures, or looks, sometimes I feel smaller, less able, less worthy.

But their opinions are not my yard stick! And they shouldn’t be yours either!

We shouldn’t sell ourselves short! God treasures each of us, & thus, we should treasure ourselves as His creations. Years ago, my self-esteem was so broken that I didn’t even feel worthy enough to pray for myself. My friends prayed for me, at a time when I couldn’t pray for myself. And over time, I learned to see myself as a beloved child of God. Not that I was so worthy, but that He loved me in spite of my unworthiness.

If you are feeling that way today, as if you’ve fallen too far, or that you are unworthy for His love, then you also need to learn to see yourself as God sees you. Yes, we are ALL unworthy of His love -- that is GRACE!

We don’t deserve His love, but He has given it to us anyway. We are sinners, but sinners that He Himself died for, & we are His beloved. What higher place could there ever be than to be saved by His grace & named as His Own?

So, I remind myself today as I remind you: Don’t sell yourself short, & don’t degrade yourself by falling for how the world sees us. Remember Who died for you, in Whose blood you have been washed, & Whose Name you bear.

Everybody’s doin’ it!
Everybody’s going out tonight!
All your friends are feelin’ it --
Whatever it is that makes you feel all right!
Everybody knows that anything goes,
And everything you want,
Well, it’s just across the line.
Step into the flow,
Go all the way tonight...

Don’t believe the lie!
Don’t buy in to what they sell you!
They’ll only make you cry!
I’ve been there, and I’m here to tell you --
What you’ve got is out of your soul,
Deep down you know the truth won’t hide!
Don’t believe the lie!
Don’t believe the lie!

Here comes the morning sun
Shining down on what you’ve done.
And all you feel is empty,
And you don’t know why it felt like so much fun.
Here comes that voice again,
And it’s acting like your friend,
Will it whisper in your ear,
“You fell too far this time”?

Don’t believe the lie!
Don’t buy in to what they sell you!
It’ll only make you cry!
I’ve been there, and I’m here to tell you,
What you’ve got is out of your soul,
Deep down you know the truth won’t hide!
Don’t believe the lie!
No, don’t believe the lie!

Like a thief, it will come to steal & kill & destroy!
Oh, but you don’t have to let it take your joy anymore!
You were meant for so much more than this!
You were meant for so much more than this!
I promise this! I promise this!
You were meant for SO MUCH MORE!
So don’t give in! No, don’t give in!
When you stand your ground, you won’t stand alone!

Don’t believe the lie!
Don’t buy in to what they sell you!
It’ll only make you cry!
Oh, I’ve been there, and I’m here to tell you,
What you’ve got is out of your soul,
Deep down you know the truth won’t hide!
So don’t believe the lie!
Oh, no, no, no, no, no!
No, don’t believe the lie!

You were meant for so much more than this!
You were meant for so much more than this!
I promise this! I promise this!
You were meant for SO MUCH MORE!

~”The Lie” by Matthew West (Album: Happy, 2004?)