I’m excited to start this new series I created – Encouraging words of peace and perseverance. Discouragement and a lack of confidence are things I believe all females struggle with on a weekly or even daily basis. Whether you’re an undergraduate student, a recent grad new to the workforce, or new to motherhood – we’ve all garnered these feelings.
I recently bought a devotional book called ‘Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence’. Now, although these devotionals are faith driven, they still provide great words of encouragement, believer or not. I’d love to share with you on a weekly basis a few of my favorite passages. I promise they will strike a chord! And if you’re not a believer, you can of course replace ‘God’ with whom or whatever you believe in.
This week’s three: STOP JUDGING AND EVALUATING YOURSELF, YOU ARE ON THE RIGHT PATH, and I AM LEADING YOU STEP BY STEP
STOP JUDGING AND EVALUATING YOURSELF – This is not your role. Above all, stop comparing yourself with other people. This produces feelings of pride or inferior, sometimes a mixture of both, both unhealthy. I lead each of you along a path that is unique and tailor-made. Comparing is not only wrong; but also meaningless. Don’t look for affirmation in the wrong places; your own evaluations or those of other people. When I discipline you, it is never in anger or disgust, it is to prepare you for face-to-face fellowship with me throughout all eternity. Be receptive to my affirmation which flows continually.
YOU ARE ON THE RIGHT PATH – Listen more to me and less to your doubts. I am leading you along the way I designed just for you. Therefore, it is a lonely way. But I go before you as well as alongside you, so you are never alone. Do not expect anyone to understand My ways with you any more than you can comprehend My dealings with others. I am revealing to you the path of Life, day by day moment by moment.
One specifically for my Girlfriends in God:
I AM LEADING YOU STEP BY STEP – through your life. Hold my hand in trusting dependence, letting Me guide you through this day. Your future looks uncertain and feels flimsy – even precarious. That is how it should be. Secret things belong to the Lord, and future things are secret things. When you try to figure out the future, you are grasping at things that are Mine. This, like all forms of worry, is an act of rebellion: doubting My promises to care for you. Whenever you find yourself worrying about the future, repent and return to Me. I will show you the next step forward, and the one after that. Relax and enjoy the journey in My presence, trusting Me to open up the way before you as you go.