Chapter 3

Chapter 3

This is a chapter I read and re-read and made several notes in my notebook.

The negative voices in my head began in my early childhood. It amazes me how much I have been influenced over the years by that voice. The good that came from that experience is I think it helped me to become a better parent than perhaps I would have been otherwise. And the other is that when an encouraging and loving father figure is absent in a girl’s life it forces her to find that love and worth somewhere else. In my case God became important to me early on in my life.

At times I still hear that voice from long ago along with a few other voices – mainly my own – and the negatives come rushing back to take over.

I can look back and see how those negative voices influenced my decision making at the time. Let’s just say the results of those decisions weren’t so pleasant or right. 

I have found that affirming who I am in Christ beats those voices down and substantiates my worth. I am a child of God. He is my Father. He loves me. I have been adopted into his family and am his heir. No one or nothing can pluck me from his hand. The “helper” lives in me – the Holy Spirit. I am never alone. I am saved. I do not fear death. I have been given holy armor – a belt of truth, a breastplate of righteousness, a shield of faith, a helmet of salvation, shoes to swiftly and peacefully proclaim the gospel and the sword of the spirit (which is the word of God). I am saved.

Using the above as a filter has greatly influenced most everything I do including making decisions. Do I still make mistakes – absolutely! Do I love myself more – absolutely.

Something else I’ve been understanding more of is that when I am in the “valley of life” that that’s where all the “molding” takes place. It’s in the valley that the renovations take place in my soul. The mountain top is where I rise to from the valley to thank God for the adjustments he has made in me. The mountain top is a place for giving praise and the valley is God’s workshop.

"Be very careful never to forget what you have seen the Lord do for you. Do not let these things escape from your mind as long as you live! And be sure to pass them on to your children and your grandchildren."  Deuteronomy 4:9

When you are in the dark, listen, and God will give you a very precious message for someone else when you get into the light. -Oswald Chambers from My Utmost for His Highest