Side note: Her 3 year old has dealt with a mystery illness since he was born. The Doctor's still don't know what this mystery illness is, and have likened it to severe protein intolerance. I have watched her be a strong advocate of her child's health, searching and standing up to doctors, going to appointments and therapy, and making special meals daily. Another one of the symptoms of this, her little guy doesn't sleep.
So... Joanna has had only a handful of real night's sleep in 3 years, yet she is happy, kind, and sweet to those around her. Don't know how she does it. She goes above and beyond....
But.......thoughts of YOUR NOT ENOUGH! Creep into her mind......
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"You house is not clean enough to have people over."
"Your clothes are not cute enough."
"Your waist is not small enough."
"You are not doing enough for God."
"You are not enough."
"Failure."
These lies can be so defeating, so overwhelming, so life sucking. And, I try. I TRY to take every thought captive, but instead of just taking it captive, I have just discovered that I must REPLACE it to see any victory.
I was getting ready to have a group of people over and feeling so "in a stir" about my house. Noticing the imperfections, chipped paint, mismatches, the mess. My heart was feeling envy for the perfection I was imagining. I prayed, "Lord, I'm so stressed. Help!" And he spoke straight into my heart, "More important than a perfect house, pray that my spirt is here and your friends can feel it, and want it, and are moved by my spirt here." Wow! Perspective. Replaced!
I had this same experience matching socks. Yes, Matching socks. The worst. Had my life come to this? Is this what I was doing for God? I felt a whisper in my ear. "You are not enough. Look at you matching socks. So much potential, and this is all you are doing. So much for your dreams for working for God." Defeat. Fail. I again , just in desperation, said, "God! What is this?! Help me." And again, he spoke immediately to my heart. Pray for your good friend that is in a tough spot. (So I did). See, Joanna, you can change the world by folding socks in my kingdom." Replaced!
This upside down kingdom of God! How opposite of my nature. He sends a baby instead of a King. He washes feet. He hangs out with the riff raff. He breaks traditions and declares the heart to be more important.
And most importantly, in this upside down kingdom, he took my punishment so I could join him in eternity forever. Replaced!
This week, let's all listen to the voice that is defeating us, and ask God to replace that lie with his truth. We are more than enough with Him! Romans 8:37 "we are more than conquers through him who loved us!"
Conquer on sisters!!
1 Samuel 16:7 ..."the Lord does not look at the things man looks at. People look at outward appearance, but the lord looks at the heart."