Perhaps you are having some of the following thoughts:

So, I cannot go out and share a meal with our friends.  They can’t even come to my home to play games, sit around the fire, and chat.  My fancy furniture, big house, and cooking skills are no longer shown off.

If I can’t go to my office, then I don’t need the Coach or Michael Kors purse…no one to recognize I’m stylin’.  The video conference doesn’t emphasize my designer clothes.  Actually, most of the time no one sees me working, so I can stay in my pajamas, or sweat pants.

I’m now unemployed.  Sure, it’s possible I may get my job back, but what if this lasts longer and the business closes?  

My small business isn’t going to make it.  I spent years investing in it.  I have a lease I’m obligated to.  I was doing well, now I may lose my home also.  How can I hold my head up high now?

Can’t get my hair cut or done up fancy, those services are closed for now.

The malls are not a place I want to spend time, even if Pottery Barn was open.  I can order online, but really, what is the sense in that right now?

My stock portfolio will not support me in retirement.  I’m too old to do anything about it now.  

That car accident left me in a wheel chair.  That stroke left me unable to live on my own anymore.

This virus thing is starting to get me depressed.

It seems as though everything I based my self-worth on is being wiped away.  Who am I, really?

A phrase that I have come to dislike, very much, is self-esteem.  The online dictionary defines it as “confidence in one’s own worth or abilities”.  

Well, what happens when the world turns upside down, like it has these last few months, and appears to not be turning right side up for several more months, and you base your value on the things of this world?

Things that are not permanent, and are now gone, decreased in value, or are even valueless?

All the ways you determined your self-worth have been stripped away.  

Where do we go when that happens?

At one time, I thought all of the things I could do, or “make happen”, defined who I was.  I soon learned that I didn’t like that definition.  It wasn’t fulfilling.  But God.  He knew it was time to strip me of the things of this world.  Slowly.  Teaching me that I am valuable.  I get that value because I am fearfully and wonderfully made in His image (Psalm 139:14).  

I have been learning for the past 33 years (slow learner sometimes), that my husband (who loves me immensely), my son (a great guy), my committed daughter-in-law, my amazing grandbaby do not add or subtract from my value.  

My worth is solely defined by the Lord God Almighty!  Do you know how freeing that is?  Oh my!  I do not have to be concerned about impressing anyone with anything.  I can go to the store in my paint laden T-shirt and workpants, and even if I met the President, I’d be good.

I don’t need a “good hair day” to make me feel good about myself.  

God said to the nation of Israel: “Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession.” (Exodus 19:5).  I belong to Jesus.  This promise is for me also.  Being God’s treasured possession is far greater than anything I can muster up on my own strength.

In 1 Peter 1:9, God tells us that we are “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”  I have purpose, and so can you!

Look at those words!  I’m “chosen”.  I’m a “royal priest”.  I’m part of a “holy nation”.  I’m His possession – nothing greater than that.

Well, maybe you think you don’t want to be owned by anyone?  Think about it!  Your boss “owns” you.  Your bank “owns” you (if you owe money on any loan).  Your things can even “own” you, when you work to serve them.

I’ve learned that I’d rather be God’s possession than be owned by anyone or anything else.  His care for me over the last 33 years has been amazing.  Financially, medically, professionally, personally, He has truly carried me through each of the hardships and struggles.  This has proven to me that I’m valuable!

People fail us.  When we base our value in a relationship, and it goes sour, we can feel devalued.  Not with God!  I’m never disappointed in Him.  Especially when His answer is “no” or “not yet”!  Why?  Because He always has something better for me.  That He has proved time and again for me.  When He says His plans are good for me…I’ve experienced that fact personally (Jeremiah 29:11-12).  He proved that promise to Israel.  He has proven, and continues to prove that promise in my life.

I put my faith and trust in my Omnipotent, Omnipresent, Omniscient God and Savior.  In 33 years, that faith has only proven to be the wisest choice I’ve ever made.

God continues to help me to be good in “my skin”.  In whom He made me to be.  He is continuously helping me to readjust my thinking…it is easy to stray into the thoughts that if my hair looks good, I’m good.  Then I realize I’m good in God!  

The amazing truth is, He loves me for me.  Nothing I can do or say can add to that love.  I don’t need to do good works to earn His greater love and goodness in my life.  I got it all the moment I turned my life over to Jesus.

Now I choose to serve Him, because He first loved me.  My service to Him is out of an abundance of our relationship.  God is THE MOST SPECIAL PERSON in my life.  Just like you want to show your love to your spouse, child, or other special person in your life.

When this life is said and done, the only thing that matters is that I pursued and followed Him, passionately (1 Corinthians 9:23-25; Philippians 3:13-14).

There is a popular song that has these words:  

Because He lives I can face tomorrow 
Because He lives all fear is gone 
Because I know He holds the future 
And life is worth the living just because He lives

Amen!

You can have this same confidence in God.  You can have this same assurance that you are valuable….more than anything this world offers.

I’d be thrilled to help you know this.  Please contact me (use the contact tab), and let me know you’d like to talk about the value you can find in a living relationship with Jesus Christ.

Warmly,

Donna

Copyright 2020 Donna Shappy

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