Pray for me!
There are so many emotions and so many inner battles going on inside of my head on any given day. Rather, any given 1/2 hour of any given day.... (You other women out there, ya hear me?!) It gets overwhelming and all-consuming.
I ran across this today (quote below) and I just stopped in my tracks.
Although it says "wives" on there, I think it absolutely applies to any woman...or, really, any human! But let's give "wives" some special attention right now. I never, ever undstrood the immense depth of having a covenant partner until, of course, I experienced it. Getting married and experiencing being a wife is a completely different journey than I could ever have described. It comes with great joy and great growth.
And often in this journey, Satan can shake things up a bit for us women. He knows so well how to get to us, where we fall short, our questioning of our own value when LIFE is all-consuming. He is so good at being a bad guy, dadgumit. And marriage gives him yet another (more sacred) way to mess with us. From my [limited] experience as a wife, I've faced sheer panic at the thought of things I once knew so well have changed, or how my husband is not the man I thought I married?!, or do I REALLY know him...., or why I did say that/do that/react that way -- it doesn't feel like who I know the real me to be!
Messin' with my foundation. Making me question my purpose.
Satan knows how to attack, even in the midst of joy!
And so. I go back to my roots. Not back to the good ol' days with endless summers and fresh lemonade, tree houses and not a care in the world (though that would be lovely!!) Back to the roots of my soul. A deep grounding in the Lord. Secure roots not made of my own strength. A foundation that tells me I am complete, I am truly alive, I am blameless and justified, that I am righteous, holy, that I am a light! If I believe these things, unyielding and rooted down like an oak tree, then how can I be shaken by the winds of insecurity? How would my value, even in my own eyes, fluctuate?
The truth is that I DO let internal doubts guide my thoughts and feelings and behaviors sometimes. The truth is that I DO allow outside influences to shake me and promote inadequacy that radiates to my very core. Even when I know better.
My husband says something with no intention behind it; I misconstrue it, I take it to heart -- and my roots quiver. My husband knows me better than anyone else on this planet, and that intimacy leads to hurt and frustration which tears down my confidence. When I fail at being a good wife (which is often!), my self-value is rattled because I can't be the person my husband needs me to be.
Yall, it's real. And Satan knows it!
But, Lord.
No.
I don't want my weakness to define me, or my daily actions, or how I treat others.
Lord, come.
Affirm me in who I am in You.
Help me to be so grounded in You that I cannot be moved by the winds of doubt.
Fill me, God, so that I have nothing left in me but your love that's unmistakably pure and full of grace.
Father, overwhelm me daily so that my husband gets the first fruits of Your love radiating from me. Root us so we can be a team set on fire for You...firm and secure in who we are individually and as a couple so that this world cannot penetrate.
Colossians 2:7. Pray for me in this! Be in prayer with me.
Amen.
I ran across this today (quote below) and I just stopped in my tracks.
Wives, may your heart be so consumed by Christ that your confidence, value, and worth are unmistakeable and unshakeable.
Although it says "wives" on there, I think it absolutely applies to any woman...or, really, any human! But let's give "wives" some special attention right now. I never, ever undstrood the immense depth of having a covenant partner until, of course, I experienced it. Getting married and experiencing being a wife is a completely different journey than I could ever have described. It comes with great joy and great growth.
And often in this journey, Satan can shake things up a bit for us women. He knows so well how to get to us, where we fall short, our questioning of our own value when LIFE is all-consuming. He is so good at being a bad guy, dadgumit. And marriage gives him yet another (more sacred) way to mess with us. From my [limited] experience as a wife, I've faced sheer panic at the thought of things I once knew so well have changed, or how my husband is not the man I thought I married?!, or do I REALLY know him...., or why I did say that/do that/react that way -- it doesn't feel like who I know the real me to be!
Messin' with my foundation. Making me question my purpose.
Satan knows how to attack, even in the midst of joy!
And so. I go back to my roots. Not back to the good ol' days with endless summers and fresh lemonade, tree houses and not a care in the world (though that would be lovely!!) Back to the roots of my soul. A deep grounding in the Lord. Secure roots not made of my own strength. A foundation that tells me I am complete, I am truly alive, I am blameless and justified, that I am righteous, holy, that I am a light! If I believe these things, unyielding and rooted down like an oak tree, then how can I be shaken by the winds of insecurity? How would my value, even in my own eyes, fluctuate?
The truth is that I DO let internal doubts guide my thoughts and feelings and behaviors sometimes. The truth is that I DO allow outside influences to shake me and promote inadequacy that radiates to my very core. Even when I know better.
My husband says something with no intention behind it; I misconstrue it, I take it to heart -- and my roots quiver. My husband knows me better than anyone else on this planet, and that intimacy leads to hurt and frustration which tears down my confidence. When I fail at being a good wife (which is often!), my self-value is rattled because I can't be the person my husband needs me to be.
Yall, it's real. And Satan knows it!
But, Lord.
No.
I don't want my weakness to define me, or my daily actions, or how I treat others.
Lord, come.
Affirm me in who I am in You.
Help me to be so grounded in You that I cannot be moved by the winds of doubt.
Fill me, God, so that I have nothing left in me but your love that's unmistakably pure and full of grace.
Father, overwhelm me daily so that my husband gets the first fruits of Your love radiating from me. Root us so we can be a team set on fire for You...firm and secure in who we are individually and as a couple so that this world cannot penetrate.
Colossians 2:7. Pray for me in this! Be in prayer with me.
Amen.
freaking amen. and yes. and i second this. thank you, dear one.
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