Best Lesson God Showed Me

lessonThe best lesson God taught me also turned my life around.

I confess I had trusted in by own abilities. And why not? I knew everything, right? As God rescued me from me and my pride, he taught me a lesson in three parts:

1. Believe God is who he says he is: good, in control, loving, just, merciful.

2. Believe what he says about you: valuable, significant, blessed.

3. Believe that you have an enemy who steals, kills and destroys, but God has defeated him.

Even as a Christian I leaned toward self-dependence, then the hard hit. One Saturday morning many years ago, awful memories of past abuse flooded my mind. So I sobbed from a sacred place in my soul at the time God chose.

This star-flinger, this day-numberer, this God drew me toward him, beginning with the lesson of who God is. 

Lesson 1: God Is Who He Says He Is

Among the most beautiful bible verses is the one where God describes his character. I wrestled with whether to believe it is true or not true. Here’s the verse:

And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming,’The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin.’ Exodus 34:6-7

Compassionate, gracious, slow ot anger, great love and faithfulness, and forgiving–did I believe this of God? Do you?

If you’ve been hurt by someone who should have protected you, you may struggle believing these truths. You are not alone. Others struggle as you do.

In fact, the counselors listed in Heart2Heart Counselor Directory on my website biblically and lovingly counsel all of God’s healing hope to their counselees. Why not check out the directory for someone near you or who meets by Skype?

In addition to daily Bible reading, I journaled, exchanging the lies I believed for the truth. It looked a lot like this. My journaling and listening to gospel-centered music also helped got me to the place where I believe God is who he says he is. What helps you?

Lesson 2: I Am Who God Says I Am

God says all of his daughters are chosen. Before you took your first baby step, before you were conceived, before God fashioned the heavens and the earth, he chose you.

The moment you believed on Jesus as your Savior, your old self died. You became a new creation. You are in Christ and Christ is in you.

This “in” means you have a place as a member of Christ‟s body, vitally united with him. The death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus — yes, the heart of the gospel — made possible your true identity. God now sees you as blameless because his Son is blameless, having paid the ultimate price to conquer sin and death. Being “in Christ” is the true you.

Does knowing you are chosen change the way you think and feel about yourself? about God?

Lesson 3: God Defeated the Enemy

Can you guess the big lie Satan wants you to believe? It’s NOT that you’re not good enough, though he tempts you to believe that one too. It’s NOT you’re unsuccessful or unattractive or a total mess-up or a waste of space, though you and I have fallen for some of these lesser lies, haven’t? 

Can your believe I bought the lie that I was a defect? Have you?

This isn’t the big lie either. It destroyed my peace, though. God — through life-giving Bible truths and uplifting Christian music as well as counseling — showed me the truth: that I and every believer in Christ is his precious child and God also revealed the big lie at the core of my shame lie.

So what’s the big lie?

The Big Lie Is. .

The big lie Satan tempts you to believe is the same one Adam and Eve ate up in the Garden: God is holding back, that he couldn’t care less, that he’s not. . .good.

And the Truth Is. . .

Satan is defeated!

From Life Lesson to Action

As I embraced this three-part lesson and intentially put God first, he revealed a purpose for my life: to help Christian women know that they are valued by Jesus, who wants to heal them. Yes, to counsel hearts to hope! Still, I felt afraid and told God so.

Our conversation went like this.

“Lord, I don’t know how to begin.”

“Do not worry, Lucy.  I’ll show you.”

“How will I know it’s you?”

“You will. The Holy Spirit who’s in you will confirm my words. You’ll know.”

“I don’t think I’m ready for this, Lord,” I said. “What if I mess up?”

“Trust me.”

That’s where we left things. God said trust. I sat there, speechless. 

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7, ESV

How about you? Where has God changed your thinking? Are you ready for deeper healing?

An Offer!

lucy moll from my heartAre you tired of living a less-than life? Why not contact me
to set up a no-cost introductory phone consultation? Remember, God loves you, whoever you are, wherever you’ve been.

Sharing Hope with Your Heart, 

Want to Know Your Special Mission?

special mission

You are on a special mission planned by God. It’s a good one, even if life is not going as you had planned.

Ever wonder what your purpose is? Or if you even have a purpose?

In her mid-20s at a job she hated, and one bad dating relationship after another, Katie started questioning what purpose — what special mission — God had for her. She had memorized Jeremiah 29:11 as a kid. (This declaration was sent by the prophet to the Hebrew exiles in Babylon. Yet they are a Hallmark favorite for high school graduates.)

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11, ESV).

Katie believes God is good but was finding out life is hard and full of imperfect people. What difficulties are you facing now? At your workplace? Among family and friends? Have your difficulties led you to wonder about God’s life plan for you?

Katie and I considered her question about God’s purpose for her life. First, we looked at Jesus’ love for her.

Jesus Points the Way 

Jesus understands your hurts. He gets it. He allows your hurts to point you to your special mission,

It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners (Mark 2:17).

Jesus said this to uppity Pharisees who criticized his choice of imperfect dinner companions. Can you imagine the delight on the faces of the imperfect people gathered around the table to share a meal with Jesus?

He has a plan for your life. It’s your special mission. Every believer has at least one spiritual gift for use to build up his Church, which isn’t a building. The Church is the body of believers you love Jesus. Sometimes God uses tough times to reveal his purpose for you. Sometimes God humbles a saint to help her see, really see.

God is with you. He is Immanuel, which means “God with us.” Soak in God’s truth that you are valued, significant, and loved.

My Special Mission

Back in the early 1990s, I didn’t understand these biblical truths. Depression had darkened my mood. Anxiety had rattled my mind too. On top of this tough stuff,  difficult memories jabbed me. Yes, there was my parents’ divorce but something even worse.

How could I tell anyone my pain? Especially women in the church who seemed to have it all together?

Fast forward to 2000, the year of God’s specific call on my life. God whispered to my heart:

“Lucy, comfort my sheep who are hurting with the comfort you’ve received from me.”

“Who me?” I asked

“Trust me, Lucy.”

“I don’t know what to do.”

“Trust me.”

Knowing Your Own Special Mission

Do you know God’s special mission for you? It’s all planned out.

For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10).

Yes, he planned these good works for you to do. He matched your giftedness, talents, and personality to the plan he has for you.

When women I counsel want to know God’s plan for them, I encourage them to take a look at their life — especially the tough stuff — because often God turns your brokenness into beauty. What are two or three broken places in your life story?

As Katie and I reviewed her broken places, nothing obvious jumped out. However she said she values order (which is one reason she probably ended up as an administrative assistant), loves family, and deeply desired to live in a warm climate. Together we developed a plan for her to find an administrative-type, family-oriented position in the South.

She updated her resume and filled out online applications — and looked forward to realizing her special mission. I asked her about the changes going on in her heart.

“I feel content,” Katie replied, “even though I don’t know exactly what God has planned. Whatever it is, I know it’ll be good because God is good, right? Walk by faith not by sight — this is what I’ve chosen.”

Question: Do you know God’s special mission for your life? What good works has God given you?

Sharing hope with your heart,

lucy-signature-blue

 

got passion? finding your God-given purpose

Got Passion? Finding Your God-Given Purpose

God made you for a purpose. He has given you a passion. Do you know yours? Find out. Make a difference beginning today.

Do you have a burden for single moms? How about troubled teens? Are you energized to open your home to others and make them feel welcome? Do you like comforting folks by bringing them meals or sending them cards?

God wired each of us for a purpose, also known as a passion. I’m wired to help hurting women find hope. Do you know how you’re wired? Do you know your heart’s passion?

In other words, what gets you out of bed? What gets you going? What keeps you going?

Often we balk at the notion God has a special purpose for us. We think we’re just moms, or just wives, or just this or just that. Rather than embracing the blessing that God lavishes us with His love, we mutter, “Yeah, right.” Do you detect the sarcasm?

When God Spoke a Purpose Over Me

Decades ago as life’s troubles strangled me and I became depressed — yes, I was a Christian at the time — I believed I had no worth. God pulled me from the pit and taught me many truths, one being “you matter.”

He gave me purpose and a purpose. In fact, every Christian does.

For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Eph. 2:10, NIV).

God selected good works just for you.

You.

Knowing how God uniquely made you helps you invest your time and giftedness effectively and to avoid burnout. When to serve God and others in your ministry fit, you feel fulfilled because you are joining God in his work in the way he made you.

What’s Your Fit?

Here are snapshots of women who serve according to their heart’s passion. See if any resonate with you.

Kim teaches Sunday school to preschoolers, showing them the love of God through simple Bible stories, songs, and Jesus “tea parties.”

Deb has a decorative flair. She beautifies her church’s worship center at Christmas and Easter, making it inviting to regular attenders and visitors.

Tanya cleans the homes of elderly folks in need a helping hand and conversation. She drives them to doctors visits too.

To determine your heart’s passion, reflect on these questions: Please continue reading this post at BasicsMatter.com, where I write on Mondays.

photo credit: Earl – What I Saw 2.0 via photo pin cc

With Joy Overflowing!

 

what gets you out of bed?

CBR001106Do you have a burden for single women? How about troubled teens? Are you energized to open your home to others and make them feel welcome? Do you like comforting folks by bringing them meals or sending them cards?

God wired each of us for a purpose. I’m wired to encourage hurting Christian women find hope. Do you know how you’re wired? Do you know your heart’s passion?

In other words, what gets you out of bed other than the need for a caffeine fix? Continue reading this post over at Take Root & Write, where I have the column Counselors’ Coach.

You Are Amazing!

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