Tag: adulting

Trust God With Everything

Trust God With Everything

by Nikki Rich Writes ♥ 1 Comment

“And God spoke all these words: ‘I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.'” – Exodus‬ ‭20‬:‭1‬-‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Many of us, whether we’ve grown up in the Christian faith or not, have heard of the Ten Commandments. Of the ten, the commandment related to idolatry always stood out to me because it felt very “Bible days” specific. It didn’t feel relevant to me. I had no crafted image in my home nor was I laid prostrate on the floor praying to some golden image at an altar. I was chilling. I went to church. I confessed Jesus. I couldn’t have idols in my life. And like me, I’d venture to say many of you probably feel the same. That feeling, however, is often deceitful. Idolatry is still present in many of our lives because it doesn’t look how we expect it to. While we expect some crafted image, idols can often be the family we have, the material things we love, and the feelings we possess. Many of us, me included, unfortunately operate in idolatry often. We put our various affections above God, be it our relationships, finances, or even fears/self-perceptions, and let it have the final say. Our yielding and obedience, then, follow the way of the idol. If not confronted by God, in His mercy, to address and remove the idol, we risk living lives less than God’s standard. We risk limiting or even completely missing the power, victory, and freedom that God ultimately wants to give us.

“Ignorant are those who carry about idols of wood, who pray to gods that cannot save.” – Isaiah 45:20b NIV

For me, idolatry started pretty early. Growing up, a certain celebrity (if you know you know lol) was my idol. I knew everything about her. I studied every move. I spent my money (or my parents’ money) on things she was a part of. I looked to her as the ideal of beauty and success. Whatever she said was Bible as far as I was concerned. As an adolescent, I didn’t really understand or see the severity of the issue. Being a big fan was fun. It was exciting. It was fulfilling and fruitful. It made me happy. It produced, in my mind, good things. When I got to college however, I felt my first bout of conviction. In God’s mercy, He made me question this idol’s role in my life. Why did I need this person to feel happy or excited about life? Why did I critique myself because I didn’t look like her or have her talent? Why did I know everything about her but didn’t know much about myself? Why could I spend all my time engulfed in her world but couldn’t give myself, let alone God, that same effort? The red flags multiplied to a point that I realized I needed to back away. But with over ten years wrapped up in that idol, during that time, the transition was not smooth. I went back and forth for a long time. I grieved. Despite the instruction not to, I still found myself listening to and watching that idol’s work. I was sad. It felt unfair. The process of tearing down the idol was messy, but I eventually got there. And though letting go of that particular idol was successful, it wasn’t long before I picked up another one.

The cycle of dropping and picking up idols has followed me up until present day. It was just three weeks ago that God confronted me about another celebrity I admired. And within this past year, more generally, God has highlighted social media distraction as another preferred idol of mine. For me, it’s not necessarily that these celebrities are bad or that wanting to scroll on social media is inherently sinful; rather, it speaks to the larger issue that God wanted to address: escapism. In my life, I’ve used idols to run away from myself. I’ve gotten engulfed in other people’s worlds because I wasn’t content in my own. It was easier to root for the success of my “faves” than it was to do the hard work to find my own success and satisfaction. God made clear to me that I chose to busy myself in other things or with other people because I didn’t trust Him to handle me or help me through my struggles with discontentment. I felt more comfortable running away than sitting with Him. I was looking to those idols to save me from myself, and it wasn’t working. And while I recognize that many of you aren’t dealing with celebrity fandom or mindless scrolling as your idols of choice, the issue still affects many of us. What are the things you consume yourself with because they make you feel good, give you power or worth, or even provide the comfort your heart really needs? Have any of those things taken the place of God in your life? Do you think God is even able to meet those needs for you? Do you even want Him to? Honesty is key here. I had to be honest and admit that I didn’t think God could fix the problems I had. I had to be honest and say that I loved spending time with those idols more than I did spending time with Him. God’s confrontation was an invitation to see myself and my need for Him. God’s confrontation provided an opportunity for God to show me who He is and who He has always been.

“The holiest people are people that just trust God with everything.”1 – Jackie Hill Perry

Since committing to reading the entire Bible in a year, which I started this January, God has intentionally highlighted His trustworthiness to me. At the same time, He’s pinpointed the areas where I lack belief and trust in Him despite the Bible I know. Last year, I wrote about fighting the devil’s facts with God’s truth. I’ve realized that it’s not just about fighting against what the devil has said about me, but it’s also what he’s said about God. As discussed in my last post, I’ve battled with performance and perfectionism since what feels like the beginning of time. It was from these places that I crafted my view of God. Like parents, like teachers, and like friends, I believed that God was pleased when all was well and annoyed or disappointed when I fell short. Why would God want to deal with me? How could He even help me? I felt beyond repair, beyond love. The sadness was high, the shame was high. Of course it seemed better to go somewhere else and trust something else. But as I read through Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, and onward, one theme was consistent — God’s goodness. The Israelites failed and God stayed committed to them. The Israelites turned away from God and God called them back home. The Israelites sinned and God provided atonement. The Israelites lost hope and God comforted them. As I saw these examples reinforced over and over again, something shifted. If I could identify with the ratchetness of the Israelites, then I could receive the love, help, and comfort that God gave them too. If God met their needs and fulfilled His promises to them, then I could believe He’d do it for me too. If the Israelites trusted God with their lives (even if they struggled along the way), so could I (struggle and all). 

Idolatry is such an important topic to me because it really has the power to destroy you if you let it. With its seemingly harmless nature, it easily slides into your life, your thinking, and your heart. It allures you with quick fixes, power, acceptance, love, and comfort. It tells you that it’s safe and worthy of your trust. It plants seeds of doubt towards God. It causes you to think the ways of the world aren’t really that bad. It causes you to falsely assume that you know and can handle it all. And even if you can’t, it tells you that God can’t do a better job. It’s a liar and a fraud. Unfortunately, I was deceived for years. I gave my youth to an idol that didn’t actually help me. I left her more broken and lost than when I found her. I’ve given so much of my time to the idol of distraction with nothing to show for it. Though idolatry might have affected me in ways that you may not relate to, at the core, no matter what your idols may be, idolatry gives you a false and unfulfilling substitute for God. That bank account you set your focus on can be wiped out with a few emergencies. That relationship you chase can’t heal the heart wounds you’re running away from. That job you give all your energy to can still fire you at the drop of a hat. Those kids you pour your entire being into will one day grow up and move out of the house. The idol can’t love you, sustain you, free you, care for you, or save you. Only God can do that.

The process of completely removing idols has been difficult for me. Idols have always felt comforting and numbing for me. They also often work a lot quicker than God seems to (though their “benefits” are short lived). Believe me when I tell you that I understand your hesitancy to drop that “thing” for God. In the thick of hardship and pain, the last thing you want to do is pray to God and wonder if He hears you or even cares. The last thing you want to do is stop entertaining that person that makes you escape from the depression you’re in, if only for a few moments. The last thing you want to do is give up that leadership position or that status at your organization when it was the thing that made you feel purposeful and worth something in this life. I understand. And yet, I really want to challenge you to try God out. I want to challenge you to run to Him first. In moments of temptation, sadness, or cries for comfort, I want you to talk to God first. Let out your frustration to Him before you vent to a friend or binge that TV series to escape your reality. I challenge you to find a Bible passage to read for a few minutes to focus your mind on something higher. I challenge you to give God a chance. I want you to leave space for Him to answer you, show you that He can handle your situation, and reaffirm how deep His love is for you. And maybe it won’t “work” the first time. There have been plenty of times I’ve gone to God, didn’t feel anything after, and watched hours of YouTube instead to numb my emotions. I get it. But I implore you to keep seeking Him. Continue to be open and expectant. Find scripture about what God did or promised and call Him out on it. Ask to experience the fulfillment of His Word in your life. He will show you. He will reveal Himself. He will bring that comfort and support. He will give peace even if the situation you’re in doesn’t change all at once. He will do what He said. I know this because the Word says He doesn’t lie nor does His Word return to Him void (Numbers 23:19). I know this because He’s done it for me.

My final ask is that you’ll watch the video I’ve linked below from Jackie Hill Perry on this topic. I encourage you to take inventory of the idols in your life, get to the heart of the issue, find scripture that addresses those deep needs, and go to God with His Word. I pray that you’ll give Him a chance to show Himself strong in this area of your life. I pray that you’ll be gracious with yourself in this process. It’s hard out here but you’re not alone. I’m here with you, and most importantly, God is here with you. He’ll never leave nor forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:8).

Until next time, be ye holy…authentically. ❤️

1 https://youtu.be/3jk_WwdZhO0?si=NwE2PRkK9C4D_BDK

I Am Well Pleased

I Am Well Pleased

by Nikki Rich Writes ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

I’ve battled with self-acceptance for as long as I can remember.  Since a child, I remember always having a problem with myself. I remember being ridiculed for being too chubby and too soft (not tough or strong). For being too shy. For being too studious and serious. As an adult, though I received less outward criticism, I mastered the art of criticizing myself. I wasn’t attractive enough. I wasn’t cool or interesting enough. I wasn’t assertive enough. I wasn’t confident enough in my decision making. And on and on it went. From childhood to present day, I felt like there was always some issue or problem that needed to be fixed. I wasn’t liked enough as is. I wasn’t chosen as is. I wasn’t happy as is. I wasn’t good enough as is.

“So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.” – Genesis 1:27,31 NIV

In Genesis 1, on the sixth day, God created man. Man was, and still is, made in the image of God. Like God, man is creative, capable of giving and receiving love, holds authority and dominion, and brings forth life. Man was created just a little lower than the angels and held up as valuable in the Lord’s eyes (Hebrews 2:7-8). God’s own breath was breathed into the nostrils of man, and he became a living being. Before man ever displayed the characteristics of God or completed work for the Lord, on that sixth day, God called man good.

To be called good by God is the foundation of acceptance. God fashioned Adam and didn’t feel the need to give the man any alterations. Nothing was wrong with his body or his personality. Nothing was wrong with his intelligence or his relationship with God. He was perfect. In fact, not once in Genesis 1 or 2 do we see Adam have issue with himself. He was in communion with God and content with the work set before him. He never questioned himself, or God, and never seemed to show displeasure with himself or his circumstances. It wasn’t until God made mention that Adam needed a helper that anything being “not good” ever surfaced (Genesis 2:18). And even then, Adam was not made aware of it. The addition of Eve, in Genesis 2, had nothing to do with a flaw in Adam. Eve entered the garden, with perfect crafting, to enhance the purpose and power of man on the earth. She aided in the fulfillment of those characteristics God gave us. Her introduction only reaffirmed the truth: man was good. It was from that foundation of acceptance that both Adam and Eve could live at their greatest potential. They were perfect for each other and perfect for God. They were content and they had rest. It was holiness.

Unlike Adam and Eve, I wasn’t rooted in God’s acceptance of me. I didn’t grow up aware of or even seeking God’s perspective. Faced with internal and external criticism, I dealt with my self-acceptance issues through performance and people pleasing. Not knowing God declared me good, I looked to everyone else to accept and affirm me. My confidence and sense of wholeness was based entirely around someone else’s opinion of me. As a result, I often shape shifted to please other people’s preferences or stressed myself out to perform at my very best level. I took on likes and interests that I probably, on my own, would not have taken on. I tried to fit a certain look to be cool or capture attention that I might not have gravitated to otherwise. I stressed so hard over my academics because it was there that I got the most applause and celebration. I worked for acceptance instead of working from acceptance. I fought to be what everyone wanted and ended up still missing the mark. I tired myself out and had nothing to show for it. I wasn’t content. I wasn’t at rest. I still wasn’t good enough.

“As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.'” – Matthew‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬-‭17‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Like Adam, Jesus operated from the foundation of the Father’s acceptance. Though God Himself, Jesus humbled Himself and took on lowly flesh to dwell among us. Having flesh like us, it’s possible that Jesus could have had the temptation to look elsewhere for validation and approval. But before Jesus ever performed one miracle or announced that He was the Messiah, His Father let everyone know that Jesus brought Him immense pleasure. Operating from this foundation of acceptance, Jesus was never swayed by public opinion or ridicule. Many times, in the Gospels, we see Jesus unphased by the opinions of the world. He had no problem confronting the Pharisees about their hypocrisy, without fear of their rebuke or punishment (Matthew 23:13-39). He let lies about His character roll off His shoulders because He knew exactly who He was (Matthew 11:18-19). He had no problem teaching and affirming God’s way, instead of the way of the flesh, even when it wasn’t popular or easily digestible by His followers (Matthew 18:21-35). Even as He was nailed to the cross, He still knew His place as Son (Luke 23:35-46).

“For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” – Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭14‬-‭17‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Like Adam and Jesus, we, too, have been deeply affirmed by the Father. Before we even accepted Christ as Lord and Savior, God loved us and made a way to restore relationship with Him through the death of Jesus (John 3:16-17). To be an image bearer, which we all are, is enough for His love. But when we accept Christ, we become children of God. As children, not only are we loved, but we are adopted and chosen as His own. With adoption comes right standing with God. With adoption comes eternal life. With adoption comes inheritance of victory, power, and eternal reward. This is the foundation of acceptance and love we have to stand on. It is from this foundation that we must learn to fight back against criticism (self-inflicted or otherwise) and poor self-esteem. While it is easy to see our flaws and feel unworthy of love, God has already made His position towards us clear. When the devil tells you how bad you are, you can hold up your status as a child of God. When people criticize your looks, personality, or gifts, you can counter with the truth that you are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:13-18).

A few months ago, I listened to a sermon by Pastor Stephanie Ike-Okafor (highly recommend!) on the call to holiness. She shared many gems, but there was one in particular that stood out to me — “Holiness is wholeness.” She described wholeness as full dependence on God. Our worth, satisfaction, pleasure, and will belong to and are rooted in God. Self-acceptance in light of God’s deep pleasure in us, then, is holiness. And while that sounds great, and it IS great, if you’re anything like me, with the history that I have, the work of self-acceptance can feel almost impossible. To see yourself as valuable to God when you’ve not been told that in the natural feels unrealistic. To love yourself, knowing all the flaws and faults you genuinely possess, sounds ridiculous. And yet, for all that we are, God called us good. He meets our warped self-image, our very real issues, and unhealed trauma with grace, mercy, empathy, forgiveness, love, and acceptance. And sure, there might be some reconstruction that has to take place. Perhaps you do need to take better care of your temple or work on that attitude you have, but, in God’s eyes, still, you are good.

If you at all battle with this, I implore you to pray intentionally for God’s help. Ask Him to help you to accept His unconditional love. Ask Him to give you the strength to fight back, with His Word and truth, against condemnation and shame. Ask Him to help you see yourself and love yourself the way He does. Ask Him to bring godly community into your life to encourage you and speak life over you. Ask Him to help you find a therapist to process your trauma with, if needed. Ask Him to help you believe Him when your flesh wants to write Him off. Ask Him. Loving ourselves, because God first loved us, is crucial to us living a life marked by holiness. It provides the foundation from which we jump out and shine our light into this world. Today’s world so desperately needs our light. We can’t afford to have minds tainted with the lies of culture (Ephesians 4:23-24). We can’t afford to sit in poor self-esteem when people need to see God’s glory through the good things God called us to do (1 Peter 2:12). We can’t afford to submit to man’s limitations for us when God has things in mind that we can’t even fathom (Ephesians 3:20-21). It’s important, then, that we stay committed to the process of self-acceptance, no matter how many ups and downs we experience along the way. The more we reflect on what God has said about us, the stronger the resolve to believe it will be. We are loved, valued, and worthy in God. God, quite literally, can’t love us more than He already does. It is from that foundation that we must show up in this world. Go forth boldly.

Until next time, be ye holy…authentically. ❤️

Authentically Holy

Authentically Holy

by Nikki Rich Writes ♥ 2 Comments

I’ve recently entered a season with God where He’s calling me higher. There was once a time when I could easily default to excuses or brush off conviction; that time has since passed. No longer can I stay comfortable with choosing comfort. God is requiring real effort and commitment. He’s calling me to make deliberate decisions of surrender. He’s challenging me to face myself and the strongholds I’ve let rule my life. He’s bringing forth a new thing. A better thing. A true thing. A holy thing. 

“Thus you are to be holy to Me, for I the Lord am holy; and I have set you apart from the peoples to be Mine.” – Leviticus 20:26 NASB

A few months ago, one of my dearest friends (hey twin!) and I started talking about holiness. It felt like the topic was everywhere. From sermons preached at church to YouTube videos from our favorite Bible teachers, the term kept coming up. At the same time, I started reading through the Old Testament and saw holiness discussed in what felt like every chapter of the story of Israel’s exodus from Egypt. The shedding of idols. The obedience to laws for food, sacrifice, and offerings. Circumcision. Observing special days and festivals. God wanted the Israelites to be set apart from the surrounding nations. He wanted them to match His standard. He wanted them protected from the world and its deceit. He wanted them to represent Him. He wanted holiness.

If you know anything about the Israelites’ story in the Old Testament (and if you don’t, here’s a crash course!), you know they were hardheaded. Stiffnecked, as God called them (Exodus 32:9). Though some stayed the course and remained devout and committed to God, the vast majority followed their flesh and allowed it to lead them right back into the mess that God delivered them from. Though the Israelites had great moments of faith, obedience, and reverence for God, they often struggled in their day-to-day behaviors. Despite seeing the power and magnificence of God in their lives, from the parting of the Red Sea to winning wars against nations larger and stronger than them, God often got pushed aside. He got replaced, in their hearts, with the world. With other gods/physical idols. With success. With power. With money. With sex. With pride. Those idols (whether physical or not) were exactly what God warned them against. He told them to flee from and even kill those who enticed them towards idolatry. He knew the world would turn the Israelites upside down, causing them to be distracted and deceived by things that were ultimately unprofitable for their lives. He wanted them to live free and be blessed in the land He would give them. He wanted them to be holy (Deuteronomy 13). And it is the same today. With us. With me. It’s time that I grab hold of the goodness and true freedom God has for me. To see the growth, power, and confidence in Christ that He promised me. I can’t afford to be bogged down with things that are less than God’s best. I hope you feel the same.

So, this blog is the start of what I hope to be a short series on holiness. My desire for this series is to let honesty and vulnerability lead. I hope to be as transparent as possible about this lifestyle of holiness and the ways in which I’m succeeding and struggling at it. I want to be (and encourage you to be) authentic. This series isn’t about us being on our best behavior or impressing God with our purity. It’s about trusting God to be our Lord and believing that He has the best for us. It’s about God leading us in the continual discovery of self and authentically living out who He has made us to be. This series is about the assurance that we can do all things, even the hard things, through Christ who gives us strength (Philippians 4:13). I hope you’ll join me on this journey.

Until next time, be ye holy…authentically. ❤️

Relentless

Relentless

by Nikki Rich Writes ♥ 3 Comments

Relentless – Continuing in a determined way without any interruption (Cambridge Dictionary)

When I think about this year, relentless is the first word that comes to mind. Take a moment and reflect on it. Has not the year of 2020 continued in a determined way without any interruption? Has it not continued in delays, in disappointments, and in death? Has it not continued in hatred, in greed, and in injustice? Has it not continued in tears, in isolation, and in frustration? It has continued. Incessant. Firm. Unyielding. How has it been going for you? Regardless of whether you’ve barely been touched or you’ve been deeply hurt and broken by the events of this year, none of us can say we haven’t been challenged in some way. Our lifestyles have been abruptly changed. Our trust in systems have been questioned. Our family dynamics have been strained. Our mental, physical, and spiritual health have been tried. The year of 2020 has been relentless. There has been no escape.

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” – James 1:2-4

So what’s the point? Why did 2020 hit us so hard? While I won’t pretend to definitively answer a question only God could with certainty, I do realize that some of God’s best work in us comes through adversity. Think back on some of 2020’s toughest moments thus far. Take Kobe Bryant’s death for instance. His death, for many of us, was extremely heartbreaking and difficult to accept. As the intimate stories about his life and the impact he had on and off the court took center stage, many of us began to reflect on our own lives. Were we living lives of purpose or were we simply settling for good enough? For some of us, his death lit a God ignited fire within us. No longer content with wasting time, our priorities shifted to doing things in this world that would last and have God given impact. What about this current pandemic? Have you done any soul searching and self evaluation with all this time to yourself in isolation? Has the constant reminder of death made you confront your false sense of immortality and seek a real relationship with Jesus before it’s too late? What about the high levels of unemployment and volatility in the stock market? What did that mean for your bank account and your ideas of stability and prosperity? Did being stuck with your kids 24/7 develop patience in you? If not yet patience (I know y’all are tired!), at least a new level of empathy and appreciation for those who care and teach them everyday? Let’s not forget the racial injustices we’ve witnessed this year. Did seeing someone die unjustly ignite your fight for justice and truth? Did you have to learn what it really meant to love and pray for those who persecute you? (Matthew 5:44) This could go on and on. My point, however, is simple. The relentlessness of 2020 gave us the opportunity to address and heal things within us that otherwise may have gone unchecked. For all the pain that this year has provided, the beauty of gratitude, grace, and growth has still been ever present. Count it all joy.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” – John‬ ‭3:16-17‬ ‭

God also comes to mind when I think of the word relentless. When we think about who God is and what He has done for us, it’s clear that His love has always continued in a determined way. It has never failed to save, protect, discipline, build, renew, and heal us. It has never failed to forgive, to grant mercy, to be long-suffering, and to stretch us for His glory and our growth. Even when we have ignored or rejected His love for us, that same love has still remained ever present, ever enduring, and ever willing. Can you pinpoint His relentless love for you even in the midst of this relentless storm of life?

Max Lucado, a Christian author, once said “God loves you just the way you are, but refuses to leave you that way.” While that statement is evident in the life, death, and resurrection of Christ, as shown in this scripture, it’s no less clear in the year 2020. God is after our hearts and our affections. He wants us to be dependent on Him. He wants us to be humble and obedient in all that He calls us to do. He wants us to have a heart of gratitude. He wants us to be a giver. He wants us to be like Christ, in words and in actions. Let this season of pruning and refining finish its work. Let this year of relentlessness birth in you all that you are meant to be, for Christ, for yourself, and for each other.

“For you, God, tested us; you refined us like silver. You brought us into prison and laid burdens on our backs. You let people ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance.” – Psalms‬ ‭66:10-12

This pain isn’t in vain, twentysomethings ❤️

Hey Mighty Warrior!

Hey Mighty Warrior!

by Nikki Rich Writes ♥ 4 Comments

Fear.

This invisible giant taunts and threatens many of us day after day. We’re not good enough. We’re not brave enough. We’re not strong enough. We’re not capable enough. How do you handle these attacks? Do you shrink back or rise up to the occasion? While I’ve shrunk back more times that I’d like, this current pandemic has felt like a personal challenge from the Lord to step up to the plate for His kingdom.

Admittedly, this challenge hasn’t been the most pleasant. While I have spent some days in the calm of hope, the majority of my days have been in mental fights against forceful waves of frustration. Why can’t I rise up in faith? Why do I keep meeting God’s calls with hesitancy, or worse, paralysis? Is God going to dump me in irritation and move on to someone more willing? In one of my more recent moments of frustration, God, graciously, provided me with some encouragement that I want to share with you. Let’s dive into the story of Gideon: a guy very much like me and probably a lot like you too.

“The angel of the Lord came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to keep it from the Midianites. When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.” “Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our ancestors told us about when they said, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up out of Egypt?’ But now the Lord has abandoned us and given us into the hand of Midian.”The Lord turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?” “Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.””
‭‭ – Judges‬ ‭6:11-15‬ ‭NIV‬‬

When we meet Gideon, he is hiding in a winepress to avoid the oppression of the Midianites. Midian, an enemy country of Israel during this time, was known to destroy and steal the food and possessions of the Israelites. It is surprising then, as Gideon hides in fear, that the angel of the Lord greets Gideon with the name “mighty warrior.” Not missing a beat, Gideon looks at his fear, his current circumstances, and his overwhelming inadequacies and immediately rejects the title. Have you, like Gideon, ever disqualified yourself when God tried to give you a new name? He may have called you something spiritual like righteous or worthy or forgiven. He may have called you something natural like business owner, first generation college graduate, or mommy. Whatever it is, how did you handle His name for you? Did you look at your lack of a spouse, your lack of mentorship, your constant mistakes, or your innumerable flaws and tell God it wasn’t possible? If so, trust me, you’re not alone!

While our automatic disqualifications may seem sensible, they’re nothing more than detrimental and stifling. Furthermore, in the act of disqualifying ourselves, we end up committing an even greater offense. Look again at the angel’s declaration. What’s the critical piece of information Gideon discredited? The Lord is with you. Can we talk about the ease in which we also disqualify God because we don’t understand His plans?
God put me here but…
God gave me the desire but…
God told me but…
It’s the “but” that often keeps us stuck in the paralysis of fear. Take a second to think about your excuses. What would happen if we actually put respect on God’s name and track record? What would happen if we finally saw the value in His presence? What would happen if we actually gave Him a fair shot to prove Himself true? God tells Gideon (us) that He’s the one initiating the sending. If He’s sending then He’s implying that we will be victorious. Unfortunately, many of us shut Him out before He can even finish the sentence. When did we become too big for God to handle? When did our situation become too complex for God to understand? When did the power of our fears trump the all knowing and all powerful God of the universe? Many of us need to re-evaluate our view of God. He’s the God who caused the planets to be, who gave you breath, and who saved your life. When did those things become common? When did those things become not enough? I pray that as we meditate on His word we would rekindle our reverence and awe for Him. He’s big enough to carry us through our fears. Will we let Him?

“Gideon said to God, “If you will save Israel by my hand as you have promised— look, I will place a wool fleece on the threshing floor. If there is dew only on the fleece and all the ground is dry, then I will know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you said.” And that is what happened. Gideon rose early the next day; he squeezed the fleece and wrung out the dew—a bowlful of water. Then Gideon said to God, “Do not be angry with me. Let me make just one more request. Allow me one more test with the fleece, but this time make the fleece dry and let the ground be covered with dew.” That night God did so. Only the fleece was dry; all the ground was covered with dew.” – Judges‬ ‭6:36-40‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I’m currently learning that the call God has for each of us is truly a journey. There will be moments of great confidence and great fear all along the same path. This truth is not something we should shy away from but rather embrace wholeheartedly. One of the most beautiful things about God, as shown in this passage, is that He is more gracious towards us than we sometimes give Him credit for. While He can often be no nonsense, He can also be extremely gentle and patient. Take a look again at Gideon. Despite Gideon’s acceptance of the call (Judges 6:24), he later suffered another moment of fear. With a need for reassurance, Gideon asked God to perform a miracle as confirmation of his victory. Though God didn’t have to, without fuss, He performed the miracle. Still unsure, Gideon respectfully asked God to do another. Clearly, Gideon was scared. He needed to be absolutely certain that this was really what God called Him to before confronting the battle head-on.

How did God react when Gideon requested the second miracle? Did God rebuke him? Did God get annoyed, change His mind, and not use Gideon? No! God performed the signs Gideon asked. Because God is a God of love, of empathy, of grace, and of comfort, He met Gideon where He was. This exchange helped me to realize the power of dependency. As shown through Gideon, God honors our need for help. He honors our need for reassurance. He honors our desire to please Him even in our fears. He wants us to come to Him for strength so that our trust and confidence in Him can grow. Moreover, because of our dependency, when the victory is won (and it will be!), there will be no doubt as to Who gets the glory. I plead with you to never feel ashamed of or shrink away from your need for help. Remember, God can’t help someone who thinks they don’t need it. Let the pride go. Pastor Steven Furtick said it best: “The end of yourself is the beginning of grace.”

“Gideon and the hundred men with him reached the edge of the camp at the beginning of the middle watch, just after they had changed the guard. They blew their trumpets and broke the jars that were in their hands. The three companies blew the trumpets and smashed the jars. Grasping the torches in their left hands and holding in their right hands the trumpets they were to blow, they shouted, “A sword for the Lord and for Gideon!” While each man held his position around the camp, all the Midianites ran, crying out as they fled.” – Judges‬ ‭7:19-21‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The victory belonged to Gideon the moment God called him a mighty warrior. Though God knew it, Gideon needed to see it for himself. Through this journey, full of bold steps of faith and cries for reassurance, Gideon was able to see that God could be trusted not only for this battle but for anything Gideon would need in his life. Similarly, in whatever we’re called to do, God knows our true name. He’s willing to go through the journey with us as long as we’re open enough to let Him in. As I continue to walk on this journey of faith over fear, I pray that you would join me. We’ve got work to do for the Lord and it is only by the strength of God that we will get it done. Take the first step and let Him tell you your name without interruption. Be open enough to accept it before you understand how it could be accomplished through someone like you. Remember, His strength is made perfect in your weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). I can’t wait to see the fullness of your name realized.

Keep fighting for the true you, twentysomethings ❤️

P.S. If you ever need reassurance about God’s devotion to your victory, mediate on Isaiah 41:13-16.

Priorities

Priorities

by Nikki Rich Writes ♥ 2 Comments

““You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away. Why?” declares the Lord Almighty. “Because of My house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with your own house.” – Haggai‬ ‭1:9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

As twenty-somethings, we’re often told that this is the prime of our lives. Many remind us that we have all the time, opportunity, and optimism in the world to  pursue our dream lives. Heeding this encouragement, many of us decide to do just that. We go and travel the world. We go and start the business. We go and get the degrees. We go after it all! Have you ever wondered, however, if all that hustling was actually beneficial for you? Have you ever considered that our pursuit for “best” could actually be damaging, especially if not properly directed? According to this verse in Haggai, I’d venture to say that our pursuits may have some critical flaws.

For context, this verse shows God speaking to the Israelites (His chosen people) through a prophet named Haggai. These Israelites were banished from their homeland for many years due to their grave disobedience to God. When God eventually delivered them from the Babylonians (the people who took them captive) and returned them to their homeland, He gave them an assignment. He commanded that they rebuild His temple (His house of worship), which was destroyed during their capture. By the time Haggai shares this prophecy, it had already been 16 years since they returned and the temple was still not complete! Instead of following God’s command, they decided to focus on prospering themselves: building houses, spending money, and harvesting their crops. Simply, they were trying to live their best lives. In all they did however, nothing stood. God refused to let them prosper.

God’s rebuke of them, in this verse, was not evil or mean in intent, as we often conclude when God seems to go against what we want. God’s word was in love and in deep desire for the Israelites to get their priorities straight. This verse serves as a prompting to check where our priorities lie also. How can we expect God to bless our works and plans when we put Him on the back burner? How can we expect to prosper in things God’s hand was never in to begin with? While we might have a nice run for a little while, inevitably, as many of us can attest to, there often becomes a point when we realize we can’t sustain on our own. We get burnt out. We get frustrated. Plans fall through. People become flaky. It becomes too much! If you’re looking for the solution to this problem, the answer, thankfully, is quite simple. Like the Israelites, God is calling us to focus on Him and start doing, first, what He said to do.

“To humans belong the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue. All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord. Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans.” – Proverbs‬ ‭16:1-3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

You may feel stuck after hearing that. If you’re anything like me, you’re reading this thinking “Well what did God even tell me to do?!”. While you currently may not have a specific revelation about your calling, thankfully, the core of God’s will (listed below) is the same for everyone. Start to prioritize and pursue these things in all that you do.

1. Have gratitude in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
2. Go after holiness (1 Thessalonians 4:3)
3. Seek and show wisdom (Ephesians 5:17)
4. Be just, give mercy, and walk humbly (Micah 6:8)

Know that no matter what you do, it must be with God’s glory in mind. God can’t accept your works, no matter how awesome they are, if your heart, your character, and your motives aren’t of Him (Haggai 2:14). In all that you put your hands to: that degree, that business, or whatever else you desire, seek to do His will in all of it. As you continue to please Him in all you do, He will begin to lead you in the way that you should go. God will prosper those whose hearts and personal wills are submitted to Him.

“From this day on I will bless you.” – Haggai 2:19 NIV

This was God’s promise to the Israelites after they humbled themselves and reprioritized building God’s house. Thankfully, that promise still holds true for us today. Go forth and prosper, not by your own power and might but by God’s spirit at work in and through you (Zechariah 4:6). Trust Him to know what’s best for you.

First things first, twentysomethings. ❤️

Still.

Still.

by Nikki Rich Writes ♥ 2 Comments

Have you ever been over yourself? Tired of bad habits. Tired of failing. Tired of doubting. Tired of falling for the same lies. Tired of telling the same lies. Tired of starting and stopping. Tired of sinning and apologizing. Just tired. If you have, what did you do about it? Did you sulk? Did you avoid? Did you hide? If you’re anything like me, you probably had the inclination to feel unworthy. That feeling of unworthiness always led me to stay stuck in sin. If I wasn’t worthy of God’s righteousness, I might as well accept my fate and stay in this box of less than. Can you relate? It took some time, years even, before I realized that the exhaustion I felt was not a death sentence. That exhaustion, instead, was His invitation to see how much I mattered to Him.

““But our ancestors were proud and stubborn, and they paid no attention to your commands. They refused to obey and did not remember the miracles you had done for them. Instead, they became stubborn and appointed a leader to take them back to their slavery in Egypt. But you are a God of forgiveness, gracious and merciful, slow to become angry, and rich in unfailing love. You did not abandon them, even when they made an idol shaped like a calf and said, ‘This is your god who brought you out of Egypt!’ They committed terrible blasphemies. “But in your great mercy you did not abandon them to die in the wilderness. The pillar of cloud still led them forward by day, and the pillar of fire showed them the way through the night. You sent your good Spirit to instruct them, and you did not stop giving them manna from heaven or water for their thirst. For forty years you sustained them in the wilderness, and they lacked nothing. Their clothes did not wear out, and their feet did not swell!” – Nehemiah‬ ‭9:16-21‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Many of us struggle with who God is and how He functions. We often think He’s either the most kind or the most unjust, depending on what side of the fence we happen to be on at any given time. That polarization, however, often negates the core of who He is: love. It is His love that convicts and challenges as well as encourages and preserves. It is His love that exalts us as well as humbles us. It is His love that sees our sin, blatant and unrestricted, and still pursues us. Still protects us. Still guides us. Still loves us. As I read Nehemiah, I felt myself get emotional. Like the Israelites, I could pinpoint the various times I chose an idol over God. I could see the times I took His blessings and favor for granted. I could see my attitude and stubbornness. I could also pinpoint God’s hand. I could recall the times God made sure I was taken care of and protected even when I didn’t appreciate it. I could see that even in my failings, He still wanted me.

It was a God given sensitivity to His kindness that brought about a conviction that led to repentance. How could I continually turn from someone who so desperately wanted me to be His? Though I was a nobody, to Him, I meant everything. It was that realization that grew a desire in me to take Him more seriously. I wanted to be as committed to Him as He was to me. Does any of this sound like you? Are you someone who feels like you’ve fallen too far to even be worthy of God’s kindness? If so, don’t worry. None of us are worthy. Thankfully, because of our belief in Jesus and the gift He gave to all of us, we all have another chance to press in and let Him have our hearts, desires, and lives. Don’t miss the opportunity to witness the depth of His love. Don’t forfeit the chance to see His transformative power in your life.  He’s willing. Will you respond to His pursuit? 

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” – 1 John 1:9 NIV

If you’ve lost your step with God or you’re battling with sins and habits that feel too hard to break, my prayer is that you’ll begin to see yourself the way God sees you. Especially in this Christmas season, where we focus on the birth and purpose of Jesus, my heart wants so badly for you to see how deeply loved you are, even in your messiness. You have a purposeful and prosperous life ahead of you. Know, however, that you can’t live the fullness of that life hiding and shrinking away from God. He sees you. He knows you. He wants you. Return to Him, just as you are, and let Him make you new (Psalm 51: 10-12) .

He loves you STILL, twentysomethings ❤️

For David’s Sake

For David’s Sake

by Nikki Rich Writes ♥ 2 Comments

“He committed all the sins his father had done before him; his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his forefather had been. Nevertheless, for David’s sake the Lord his God gave him a lamp in Jerusalem by raising up a son to succeed him and by making Jerusalem strong.”
‭‭1 Kings‬ ‭15:3-4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Many of you may be familiar with the concept and/or reality of a praying grandmother. If not, praying grandmas (or any person who prays intently about you) are those who consistently and passionately plead the blood of Christ over you and your loved ones. Their earnest prayers, over the years, have often saved many of us from various crises and heartaches, whether we realized it or not. What a privilege to be cared for in such a way that even while you and I were far from God, God still kept us for their sake. The realization of that privilege was brought to my attention quite recently while reading about many of the kings in the Old Testament of the Bible. While there were a few good kings here and there, who ruled with justice and reverence for God, the vast majority of them were terrible. They were greedy, self seeking, disregarding, power hungry, and unjust. Despite their disobedience and pride, God would often repeat a phrase that illustrated mercy towards His people. Though it was simple, the phrase meant provision. The phrase meant salvation. The phrase meant favor.
For David’s sake.
David, the giant slayer. David, the psalmist. David, the man after God’s own heart. Great King David. I appreciated and admired the way God honored David so much that even as his descendants acted foolishly, actively deciding not to follow the ways of God, God still continued to bless them and preserve their line for David’s sake. Israel was His people. The line to Jesus needed to be preserved. For David’s sake, God forgave, pardoned, corrected, warned, and waited. How blessed they were by God’s honor. How blessed we are.

Witnessing God’s honor of David sparked not only gratitude but desire. I found myself wanting to be someone God honored in that way. I found myself wanting to save the lives of future generations as well as the people currently connected to me that were lost or had fallen away. For my sake, I wanted God to cover, to protect, and to save. While I felt this desire build, I simultaneously felt inadequacy rise. David, after all, was the anointed one set on pleasing God. David had great faith while mine could be faulty. David had boldness in the face of opposition while I was often willing to list my fears and excuses. David was a different breed, not at all like the person I currently saw myself to be, the person you may see yourself as. Even still, the desire grew. I thought that maybe if I read about David and saw, play by play, how he reacted in situations, I could learn how to strengthen my faith and be more like him. As I studied, thank God, I quickly realized that David and I already had a lot in common.

As much as David is celebrated for being a man after God’s own heart, David sure messed up a lot. He was someone with two sides. He was indeed a man of God. He worshiped God in humility and gratitude. He consulted God before making decisions. He trusted God to fight his battles. He ensured that the Israelites followed God’s law.  Despite those great acts, David also committed adultery. He murdered to try and hide his sin. He responded cowardly when conflict in his family arose. He sometimes let pride stop him from ruling well. It soon became clear that God’s honor of David had very little to do with his “greatness”. God honored him because more than any error he made, David was consistent in seeking the face of God. He readily asked God to clean his heart of sin and injustice. He quickly humbled himself when pride tried to overtake him. He accepted punishment from God, not with disdain but with appreciation. He cared about God’s approval more than anyone else’s. He was after God, whether he was up or down, good or bad. That’s what I pray God honors about me. That’s what I pray God honors about you.

“… and observe what the Lord your God requires: Walk in obedience to him, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and regulations, as written in the Law of Moses. Do this so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go and that the Lord may keep his promise to me: ‘If your descendants watch how they live, and if they walk faithfully before me with all their heart and soul, you will never fail to have a successor on the throne of Israel.’”
‭‭1 Kings‬ ‭2:3-4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

As we continue to adult, piecing together our lives in hopes of a better future for ourselves and our families, I pray that we also factor in the weight of God’s endorsement. I pray we seek His favor, not just for ourselves but our circle as well. While financial stability is awesome, salvation holds eternal weight. I ask that you be the person seeking after God. I ask that you begin to value and trust His word even when it proves difficult. I ask that you walk in the brightness of your light. I ask that as God instructs you, you pray for help and boldness to be obedient. This goes beyond living a good life and going to heaven when you die. It’s about the salvation, protection, healing, and restoration of your parents, your children, your coworkers, your neighborhood, and your generation. That’s the model Jesus set. That’s grown up stuff. That’s real adulting. Let’s begin to look around. This world is yearning and groaning for us (Romans 8:19-23). Let’s be the people who change this world.

For your sake, twentysomethings. 💕

Weary Me. Loving Him.

Weary Me. Loving Him.

by Nikki Rich Writes ♥ 2 Comments

Weary Me

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” – Galatians‬ ‭6:9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Many of us know this verse well. It’s all about honoring God, doing our best, and trusting Him to see us through. We know it. We hear it. We believe it. What happens, however, when that verse doesn’t quite feel like enough? When it’s been just one too many days? When your last nerve has been stepped on just one too many times? When you’re unable to hold back the tears any longer? When accepting defeat almost feels relieving? Anything but this place. Anything but this state of being. What do you do when weariness seems inevitable?

I’ve dealt with this many of times: trying to push pass negative feelings but failing, wondering if complacency is really that bad, even entertaining lies that tell me God’s promises aren’t really for me. I allow myself to lose hope and confidence. I question myself and my circumstance. I wonder, for a moment, if God really knows what He’s doing. Why on earth would God tell us not to give up when He knew how hard it’d be not to?

Loving Him

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew‬ ‭11:28‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The more I learn about Christ, usually though the various trials and storms I face, the more I realize how chill He is. The juxtaposition of my frantic and exhausted spirit with His calming and all-knowing spirit is striking. I fight and push and try and fail all while He rests, looks on, and waits for me to turn to Him. As I scold myself, wishing I could hold on better, keep my attitude more in check, or even choose gratitude more often than tantrums, He sits there patiently until I wear myself out. When I get just weary enough to turn my attention back on Him, it’s there that I’m taught, once again, about His long-lasting love.

His love.

It’s His love that calls me righteous, even when I feel like I don’t deserve it (Philippians 3.9). It’s His love that prepares a table for me in the presence of my enemies (Psalm 23:5). It’s His love that keeps a hedge of protection around me (Psalm 91). It’s His love that encourages me (Deuteronomy 31:8). It’s His love that convicts me, molding me into the person He saw while I was still in my mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13; 15-16). It’s His love that provides an abundance of mercy and goodness to follow me all the days of my life (Psalm 23:6). It’s His love that empathizes and understands me when no one else does (Hebrews 4:15-16). It’s His love that never fails to provide comfort (Psalm 119:76). He brings His promises to mind, challenging me to remember that last time He rescued me, favored me, and covered me (Hebrews 8:10). If He did it before, isn’t He faithful enough to do it again?

This post is a plea, for all of us, to breathe. To remember that we aren’t doing this life alone. We have a Heavenly Father more than willing to help us, guide us, direct us, and mature us. Will we let Him? Will we learn the patience, the discipline, and the humility necessary to become our best selves? Will we accept the promises of God even when they don’t seem yet applicable to our lives? Will we choose to believe God loves us, even in the depths of our sins and mistakes?

My prayer is that each and every one of you know that you’re okay. Know that no amount of weariness can separate you from the love and promises of God (Romans 8:38). Know that no matter how hard the trial may be, it serves to produce the endurance and patience needed for your elevation (James 1:2-4). Know that no matter how far it may seem, God’s promises are still yes and amen (2 Corinthians 1:20). Know that though you stumble, doubt, and sometimes even fall, the righteous (which you are in Him) do indeed get back up (Proverbs 24:16).

Take your eyes off of yourself and place them on Him, twenty somethings ❤️

CHALLENGE: Take a verse from this post or in your own study and meditate on it for a week. Aim to memorize it, if you can. What does it say about Him? What does it say about you? Write it down and revisit it often. You can’t trust God, like He wants you to, until You learn who He is and how He feels about you. See who He is and test Him on it.

Success Through the Storm

Success Through the Storm

by Nikki Rich Writes ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

BE GRATEFUL.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. – Philippians 4:6

“Say thank you” is a phrase we’ve heard since childhood. Though gratitude should be ingrained in our psyche and apart of everything we do, oftentimes, it is the first thing that jumps ship during a trial. The storms of life can often produce stress and strain so intense that we’re too preoccupied with staying afloat to even consider our blessings. No matter the severity of the storm, it has the potential to throw us completely off track, if we allow it to overtake us. How then do we stay strong and keep focused? How do we cope when we’re fed up, stressed out, and worn down? I challenge you to look up long enough to say thank you to the One keeping you above water. Your gut reaction may be to roll your eyes or sigh in frustration. You may question if you’re even above water or rather drowning deeper into despair. Looking up, however, quickly determines your placement. Coming to Him with thanksgiving, even over the many small blessings we take for granted, reinforces the truth that you really aren’t alone. Your gratitude points to God’s hand in your life, especially when it feels like everything is falling apart. God promised that He wouldn’t leave or forsake you.* When you begin to tell Him thank you, you realize that the promise is true. You may be fighting for your life, peace, and purpose, but you definitely aren’t fighting by yourself. Spend some time saying thank You and allow yourself to be comforted by His presence.

STAY FAITHFUL.

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him. – James 1:12

Faithfulness, mastered beautifully by Christ, is often a struggle for many of us. Jesus remained faithful to the will for His life, even in the midst of persecution, rejection, and death. How can we emulate Jesus in this way? The answer is in our tenacity. During the most difficult parts of your storm, it is easy to succumb to the hopelessness of it. You may push away from the persecution and dissatisfaction in hopes of finding peace elsewhere. What if the breakthrough, however, is in planting your feet into the ground and holding on for dear life? God rewards those who hold on. Staying planted, even when difficult, is what builds the determination and focus necessary in preparing you for what God has next. Faithfulness not only prepares, it refines. Character is refined in faithfulness because there is no choice but to cling to God when everything in you wants to run. The clinging produces dependence. Dependence produces expectation. Expectation produces strength. Strength produces greater faith. No longer is it you fighting to stay alive but rather God working, through you, to put the storm under your feet. It all starts with simply sticking with God, no matter what y’all go through together. The reward is coming. Keep those heels dug in.

YOU’RE OKAY.

Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? – Luke 12:22-26

Believing you’re okay, even when life tells you different, has been the hardest truth to grasp, personally. It sounds cute, simplistic, carefree, and even kind. I’ve found, however, that this truth is extremely deep. So deep, in fact, that it can only be accepted as fact once you’ve harnessed the power of gratitude and faithfulness. Life’s storms have a way of making you feel like it’s the end of the world. No matter how many trials God has brought you through, each new one still feels like a major crisis (at least for me!). You feel like you can’t do this anymore. You want to quit. You want to cry. You’re tired and restless. You’re confused and misunderstood. Everything is in shambles yet God continues to whisper “you’re okay”. How is it even possible to believe Him? Jesus made it plain and simple when He told us not to worry about our life. You’re okay because God calls you valuable. If you are valuable to Him, He promises to meet every need. Your value is shown in your gratitude, reminding you that God has never left your side. Your value is shown in your faithfulness, seeing God’s sustaining power hold you steady even during the heavy winds. If God says everything is fine, trust that simplicity. He’s handling the hard stuff. All you need to do is hold onto His hand and His word. You’re okay.

Be grateful. Stay faithful. You’re okay.

This has been my anchor for months now, as God has held me through many of life’s storms and transitions. I pray that you will take some time to meditate on these words and find your strength to keep fighting. God’s got it. God understands. God is taking care of you. Don’t let your hope go. The storms can’t defeat you.

Keep holding on, twentysomethings!

 

* Deuteronomy 31:6