Watching the sun lower over the horizon, her thoughts lingered over the events of the day. The feelings of rejection were strong. “Why didn’t they pick me?” She asked her reflection. “This happens all the time, I just don’t understand. God why am I so unlovable?”
Waking up to the blaring alarm, she worried about the busy day ahead. The feelings of stress encroached. “Finals, she groaned. God why do I have to take finals? I’m just going to fail anyway!”
Thinking over the recent disagreements with her husband, she dreaded the future. The fear of abandonment growing, she prayed, “God, does he even love me anymore? Maybe I should just leave.”
The stack of bills grew as the first of the month loomed in front of her. Her anxiety created an erratic heartbeat that she couldn’t seem to control. “How can I ever pay these bills, God? I don’t even know where the money will come from.”
I wonder how many times a day God hears prayers such as these? How many times a day does God hear a weary soul with tired eyes ask, “Why?”
You’ve kept track of my every toss and turn through the sleepless nights, each tear entered in your ledger, each ache written in your book. Psalm 56:8 (MSG)
Our God is not an uncaring God. He knows every hair on our head and holds every tear in His bottle. He hears every prayer and He wants us to remember:
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9 NIV)
And while every story is different, the answer is always the same.
The challenge is never greater than the Victor. You, my friend, are not defeated!
It’s difficult to feel victorious in in the midst of our challenge. The cocoon of defeat wraps us up until we cannot breathe. But our Victor gave us victory at the Cross when He said, “IT IS FINISHED!” (John 19:30 NIV paraphrased)
Yes! At the Cross, He not only defeated sin and death, but:
He defeated rejection and gave us acceptance,
He defeated stress and gave us strength,
He defeated fear and gave us faith,
He defeated anxiety and gave us peace.
No longer do the challenges of this world have the power to wrap us up in a cocoon of defeat. So Mighty Warriors, break free from the cocoon that binds and CLAIM the victory you have been given in Christ!
HOW DO WE CLAIM VICTORY?
Let go of rejection. Stop living for acceptance and live from a state of acceptance. Your Father has called you His own, a child of God, fearfully and wonderfully made in His image and designed with a purpose to give you hope and a future. See yourself through His eyes and live in His purpose, allowing rejection to deflect off you and onto Him.
Let go of stress. Stop allowing the stress of the day to penetrate your heart. Guard your heart and persevere through the tasks he has given you. Soak in His promise that you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you!
Let go of fear. Stop allowing emotions to control your actions. Instead speak truth to your circumstance.
Let go of anxiety. Stop allowing circumstances to steal your joy. Ask God to supply all of your needs in Christ Jesus. In a moment of anxiety, give it to Him and ask for His peace.
Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. (Hebrews 12:1 NIV)
(PS- Make it personal Beautiful, yes ACTUALLY have a ceremony of "letting go" of whatever hinders.)
The same power that raised Christ from the dead lives inside us, but we must claim it! We must cling to the promises He has made on our behalf and live as if we believe them. Does this mean that we will never face a challenge? No, but it means that the One who goes before us will prepare us for the battle as He fights on our behalf. It means that we must allow others to come alongside to encourage and stand in the gap for us. It means that we must not live defeated lives but rather live in the same power that overcame the grave.
His promises are real, Daughter, and they are yours. Claim them and find victory in Jesus!
Father, our burdens are great, but You are greater. Lord, we ask that You infuse us with courage to give you our burdens. Please strengthen us for the challenges ahead reminding us that we are Your Beloved Daughter in whom You are well pleased. Please pour Your Love into us and replace our fear with faith. Please supply all of our needs and remind us that we do not have to be anxious. Thank You for taking our burdens and hearing our requests so that the peace that transcends all understanding will be ours in Christ Jesus. We Love You Lord and we thank You for giving us the victory so that we too can live the life to the full You came to give.
In Jesus’ Name
AMEN