Heather V. Shore's Blog, page 4

Unraveling

Have you ever been purposefully quiet? Just sat in the morning or evening with no distractions, no cell phone or electronic device, but sat in silence? This is something I’ve been practicing for the last year. It’s been very helpful when my thoughts are too much and need to be taken captive. My life has slowly unraveled the last two years. Meaning every area of my life has changed or is changing. Most change is good and some change has to be grieved because from death new life rises.

Standing up

At the end of 2019, I could feel in my spirit change was coming. I didn’t know how, why or what was coming. Through a ton of counseling and inner healing work, the anger I had carried with me was being worked through and out of my body. Finally finding my voice again caused me to stand up for myself and for our children. Didn’t we deserve better? Didn’t we deserve to be honored, loved and cherished? These things I questioned and as a result of my questioning caused my family to come apart.

I watched as my marriage unraveled before me. I’ve watched my children go through trauma and not understand what’s happening. I’ve sat back in silence, praying for the restoration of all things while God quietly reminded me of Matthew 6:33. God hates divorce, but He has also reminded me to live in peace (1 Corinthians 7:15). To fight for my marriage until it fully unraveled and to eventually let go. So I let go.

Letting Go

How do you let go of a piece of life you hoped would be better? If I did this differently, or acted a certain way wouldn’t they choose to stay? The answer is they (and you) get to choose. You hope loving someone would be enough whether it’s through action, words, or deeds. Sometimes it isn’t enough. Sometimes they walk away and you have to choose how to move forward. Letting go is one of the hardest pieces especially when the other person chose to leave years before ever verbalizing it.

Letting go well is difficult. A friend texted me the other day saying, ‘I know this journey of choosing God has cost you far more than you could have imagined. You have courageously stepped into significant breakthroughs and healing. And this is only the beginning! He will be faithful to the first promise of Matthew 6:33. He will give back every single thing even better than what you lost or gave up.’ This gives me hope and permission to let go of control. Hope in whatever future is around the corner for the kids and I.

Finding Hope

The only way you get through unraveling is to hold onto hope and faith. Faith is the assurance of the things we cannot see (Hebrews 11:1). Hope keeps you walking forward. It propels you to take chances and gives you permission to let the unraveling happen. Unraveling your life is a very hard and very freeing process. As you lay each piece of your life down in full surrender, you find hope on the other side. There are many things I’ve done wrong, but it’s in the surrender, where I find new life through forgiveness. The only way to have hope is to let go of the past, release any pain, and walk forward with God. The dreams of your future have no room for the devastations of your past.

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Overcoming Self-rejection and Claiming Victory

I was recently sitting in the doctor’s office wondering how much I will weigh. I am concerned because they might call me obese. Being short in stature makes it hard when you are on the weight curve borderline. I am right in between normal and obese. What on earth does this have to do with self-rejection? Last year, I was still abusing my body by doing cleanses and other nasty things to myself to hit a certain number on the scale. If I hit that special number, will I be okay? It will make me pretty, loved and finally accepted by others.

As you can see from this twisted thinking, self-contempt is something I have struggled with for an exceptionally long time. Coming free from under this type of delusion has not been easy. Being raised without confidence and told how and what to think can be detrimental. This is true when you sit in the doctor’s office wondering what label they will give me. I hate labels, don’t you?

Taking away the labels

As we come into agreement with what the Lord says about us, we start to fully grasp and heal from self-abuse. Through lots of inner healing work and sessions with the Holy Spirit, these labels started to melt-away. Anger, comparison, and control were replaced with God’s love and peace. No longer where these the identity labels a part of me, but they were released and gone from my body.

Love the following revelation from Lana Vawser and how it shows the Father’s heart towards his daughters and their healing. “I am melting deep roots of self-hatred and bringing incredible restoration, release, recompense (make amends for loss and harm suffered) and restitution.

Now My daughters will set into their destiny like never before and how I REJOICE over them with singing. I am inviting My daughters into a divine dance of intimacy with Me in the secret place. It will be like meeting Me for the first time all over again. The enemy has used the root of self-hatred for so long to keep My daughters bound, but no more! This is their day of radical freedom and life-changing encounters with My love. Their day of deliverance has arrived!”

What are the evidences of self-rejection?

By being rooted and grounded in His love, we begin recognize our need to accept God’s design and step into our identity. The following list from iblp.org can help you see where self-rejection infiltrates your life.

Inability to trust God – If a person rejects God’s design for their physical appearance, they probably will have difficulty putting confidence in the Designer’s plan for other areas of their life.Self-criticism – complaints about unchangeable physical features, abilities, parentage and social heritage are indications of self-rejection.Wishful Comparison with Others – desiring to be different in areas that cannot be changed is a clear evidence of self-rejection. “Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, why hast those made me this?” Romans 9:20Floating Bitterness – Many people have said “I hate myself!” They may be referring to their words or actions in the past, or they may be referring to their whole being. Their final hatred will be directed toward the One who made them.Perfectionism – It is healthy to want to do our best, but when the time expended outweighs the value of the accomplishment, it is an indication of self-rejection. Condemning your best as “never good enough.”Attitudes of Superiority – A person with an attitude of superiority feels inferior but is trying to narrow his field of comparison.Wrong Priorities – self-rejection may be reflected in a neglect of God-given responsibilities in order to spend much time in pursuit of that which could bring acclaim from others.Claiming Victory

Dealing with self-rejection requires turning to God and thanking Him for how He made you. Then we come into an understanding of who you are in Christ. Meditate on the truth of Scripture and see what God says about you. Psalm 139:13-14 “I saw you as you were formed in your mother’s womb. You are fearfully and wonderfully made.” The God of the Universe tells us we are each unique, worthy, and chosen. The list above shows what can happen when we do not believe our identity in Christ. By knowing what God says about each of us, we can step into the destiny He has for us. Let the Holy Spirit show you where you need to change and step forward into the good works He has created for you. Then, you will be able to live from a place of victory.

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Growing into 2021

The last few years have led me to write about growing into the next year. I personally look forward to what each new season will bring about. 2021 will be a year of not only change, but of release and healing. Such growth can only bring goods things as we navigate forward.

Change

Change is hard. It’s also a good thing when good fruit is produced. 2020 was difficult for everyone across the globe. While we haven’t seen something like this causing widespread change, it also brought about a needed shaking. People needed to be made aware they weren’t in control. Giving up control is very hard, but there is so much freedom on the other side of releasing your expectations for life.

Release

Being released is a big term with significant meaning behind it. When the Lord says you are being released from something, you pay attention and write it down. In 2019 I was given a word about being released. At the time, I was very excited because of the possibilities of what this word meant. As we walk into this new year, this word is becoming more apparent in what it means. It’s hard because change is hard, but it’s also exciting because it does represent a hope and a future. Lamentations 3:22-23 “His compassions fail not, they are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness.”

Heal

My word for 2021 is heal. There is so much healing needed in our family. The amazing thing is we can ask for healing. God already provided the healing and it will happen. God is at work in ways I cannot see and He is bringing about good fruit. Malachi 4:2 “Unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth.”

As 2020 draws to a close, we are to look ahead. This year was not easy for anyone. I won’t belabor all the tragedy, but there was a ton of good too. Families came together and some grew apart, kids got to spend time with their parents, lots of backyard adventures and quiet time with the Lord.

My hope and prayer is whatever good was produced for you in 2020 it continues into 2021. Hold onto those tiny glimmers of hope, press into the needed change and release whatever burden you are carrying. He will show you the way to go. Psalms 143:8 “Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.”

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Apart from Faith

By Tina Hansen

As a Christ follower, faith has been something I’ve claimed to possess for years. After all, how can you be a Christian without having faith? Do I believe, God incarnate came to earth to suffer and die as the only suitable sacrifice to reconcile a sinful people to the Father? Near the end of 2018, after an arduous 7 year dark night of the soul journey, I sat alone taking stock of my heart and found something startling.

Peering into the depths of my being, I found a soul which was broken, battered and bruised. It was an empty, dry and desolate vessel. For the previous 7 years, I had devoted myself to providing care to someone in my family. This was through extended physical and mental illnesses, emotional struggles, all while in the midst of my own battle with multiple sclerosis. I was not allowing Papa God to replenish what I was giving away. In light of this reality, it’s no surprise I was experiencing a dark night of the soul.

Until that fateful day in 2018, I didn’t have the margin, or quite honestly the capability to look beyond my next step. I was surviving because my eyes were fixed my circumstances. Then, I suddenly recognized I had shifted my perspective from heavenly realities to earthly ones. I was mired down in the darkness of this world and stuck.

Taking the next step

For the first time in years I cried out to the Lord. Not the passing prayers for strength, comfort and rest I often whispered without thinking, but a beseeching wail of searching for hope. Though I would have told you I still believed in the God of the breakthrough, facing the condition of my heart and life, I began to absorb I didn’t know what I believed anymore. And that recognition shook me to my core.

Over the next few weeks, I began a tentative dialogue with the Lord. I was testing Him. Was He listening? Would He respond? Would it change anything? Then one day, the Lord invited me on a journey of restoration. Although I was anxious to have the condition of my heart altered, I didn’t readily accept His invitation. I was afraid. As I explored the basis of that fear, I realized if I were being completely honest, the fear was actually a lack of faith. The faith I had proclaimed was nothing more than cautious optimism. Because believing for something meant I had to risk my already fragile heart. What if disappointment happened instead of hope? What if the desires of my heart never  materialized? How about my vulnerable heart?

In processing these questions I came to understand my greatest worry wasn’t about me at all, but about the One who held all my possibilities. It was at this moment the real issue came to light. I had lost my faith. In a misguided attempt to protect my heart, I had minimized the size of my God. If I didn’t expect Him to move on my behalf, I wouldn’t be destroyed if He chose not to move. With this painful revelation, it formed the foundation for my pursuit of the truth.

Discovering God

My quest began with discovering who God was and determine for myself His nature and characteristics. Who was He to me, for me and in me? I knew I would first have to understand and embrace the meaning of genuine faith. This truth can be found in Hebrews 11:1, “Now faith is the assurance (title deed, confirmation) of things hoped for (divinely guaranteed), and the evidence of things not seen [the conviction of their reality—faith comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced by the physical senses].” When I reread this Scripture in this translation, Holy Spirit highlighted two things. First, the opposite of faith isn’t doubt, which I had always presumed; it’s sight. When we can clearly see what lies ahead, faith isn’t necessary. Secondly, faith can’t be embraced without fully expecting the fulfillment of things for which we hope.

I wish I could tell you these realizations were sufficient to restore what was lost. These truths allowed me to take my first, guarded steps toward wholeness. As I walked deeper into my grand adventure with the Lord, He slowly revealed Himself to me in big and small ways. With every new discovery, my faith grew more firm and sure. I came to comprehend that apart from Faith, I couldn’t embrace the life He desired to give me. Hebrews 11:6 says, “But without faith it is impossible to [walk with God and] please Him, for whoever comes [near] to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He rewards those who [earnestly and diligently] seek Him.”

Though I could tell you the specifics behind all He showed me, most of my journey was distinct to things Papa God needed to work out in me. However, I believe with all my heart what He did for me, He will do for you if you’ll allow Him.

Full Restoration

My pilgrimage with the Lord has brought full restoration to my once shattered heart. As my inner healing happened, Papa went beyond my wildest expectations, and brought complete physical healing from my 20 year battle with multiple sclerosis and a host of other conditions. I stand today healed, whole and delivered. While the inner and physical restoration is such a gift, the greatest gift I received was discovering the gift giver.

What do you need to believe for today? Do you have faith with a capital ‘F’, or are you too protecting your heart because of fear? Fear of what might not manifest in the ways you desire? Friends, let me encourage you to honestly examine your heart, and reach out asking your Papa God to redeem and restore any broken pieces. And ask with expectation He will respond, because He “is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly more than all that we dare ask or think [infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes, or dreams], according to His power that is at work within us.”

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Joy in the Brokenness

This has been a broken season. A season I never thought I would walk through. Pondering what to write when you are so humbled and grown in ways you don’t see coming. Have I handled this season well? Absolutely not. There have been things I’ve said and done I would take back. But the one thing I’ve come to understand is we are so worthy of being chosen and valued as human beings. We all deserve to know the love of a Savior who choses us. We deserve to be chosen in our relationships too. My hope in this divorce season is to do it with such joy people wonder where this hope comes from.

Gladness from the Ashes

A constant verse on my mind during this time is Isaiah 61:3. Isaiah 61:3 ESV “to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified.” This promise from the Lord to Israel represents what is coming not only for this nation, but for people who have walked a difficult time. When we rest in Him and allow Him to begin to heal and restore the things taken from us, whether it’s a marriage, a child, or our health, we will see beauty instead of ashes.

The prayers from friends have helped bring about beauty from ashes. So many are praying that God sows His truth deep within my heart and builds a tall hedge of protection around it, so I cannot be shaken away from the truth of my worthiness and value! We are to hold tightly to joy and praise despite the circumstances.

No More Sorrow

This has been a sorrowful season for many. Covid, job loss, relationships, politics, and racial tension just to name a few. But there is so much hope and joy too. With so much change, brings about a hope for a new future. Friends and I are continuing to pray for abundance and joy to overflow through every life He draws near in this season.

Our restored future hope lets us know there will be no more sorrow, crying or pain. What a joyful future we have! Revelation 21:4 “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

Joy Abounds

“Joy is in the process and strength is the outcome! And because it’s God’s true nature, there is a place of His joy in us that is constant, regardless of circumstances.” Graham Cooke

Our greatest point of spiritual impact will be birthed out of our time of trouble. This season makes me think of the song, “The Story I’ll Tell” sung by the amazing Naomi Raine. The birthing of joy out of this season is taking place right now. I’m expectant as it continues into next year much beauty will come from the ashes.

My hope is to keep a smile on my face and walk this desert season in such a way it isn’t a wilderness, but being so tied to the vine, joy is abundant. As my sweet friend Tina says, ‘my friend once He gets you safely to the other side, oh the story you’ll tell!’

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Being Married to a Workaholic

Work is meant to be a gift. It’s meant to be life-giving, provide opportunities and rest. When someone gets this flipped upside down, work can become an idol. It’s where you seek your respect, praise and identity.

When this happens in a marriage, one of two things can occur. Either you recognize you have an issue neglecting your home life, or you wind up hitting rock bottom losing everything. We each have a choice in how we deal with our work situations. You can be healthy or unhealthy and I chose health.

Order of Importance

If you are a believer in Jesus, there is an order of importance to life. It’s God, spouse, children, and then work. Most people get this flipped around. They put work first, then children, spouse and God last. When things are out of order, your life will slowly fall apart. It may be apparent when you and your spouse go to bed at separate times or you won’t take vacation. My son got so excited when daddy decided to spend the day with us at a water park. He hugged his daddy and told him thank you! I stood there heartbroken we had gotten to this point.

Constant neglect slowly fades the love between spouses, your children and your relationship with God. When you can’t tell a difference, it is time for a wake-up call.

Success in it’s Rightful Place

I walked away from my career to stay home with my babies. I’ve regretted my decision at times when people discount you for staying home. Sometimes you defend yourself and other times you walk away not dignifying the other person with a response. I love celebrating my friends successes and victories as they’ve set out on new career paths. The same is true for my spouse. We celebrate his promotions and provision for our family.

When success, promotion and money become your God, it ends up leading to a hollow life. There is no true fulfillment or joy outside of a relationship with Christ. He is the only thing which can bring you true freedom and life. Try and see for yourself!

There are so many testimonies of people who had it all and lost their soul along the way. They realized there were more important things in life such as family, vacation and spending time with the Creator of the Universe. There has to be a balance between provision and life. Success comes more fully when you lay down your plans and career, and ask God, ‘What do you want me to do?’ He always has something bigger than we can imagine waiting on the other side.

What’s Next?

I don’t know. That is my answer for this season. We have been walking through a separation, laying down our future plans, and gathering up the courage to put one foot in front of the other. When you are married to a workaholic, you finally come to the end of your situation and ask the big question, ‘What’s next?’ That’s where the rub is. Until the person recognizes there is a problem (as with any addiction), there can’t be restoration. My prayer has been ‘Break him to remake him.’ What that looks like only God knows. However, I know whatever heart ache, problem or challenge you face, there is a big God who conquers big problems. Once you recognize Him as your ultimate provider, then the rest of your story can be written.

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Parent Resources during a Pandemic

During such uncontrollable times, it’s always good to find available parenting resources. There’s no doubt about it: COVID-19 has put a tremendous amount of pressure on moms. Considering how difficult it is to balance motherhood, a career, and a household without a global health crisis, it’s hard to imagine that anything positive for parents could come out of this current situation.

Huggable wanted to know – is there any good to be found in being stuck at home even while we grieve this new reality? Is there anything moms can appreciate about this unique time even if it’s not what anyone would have chosen? Does spending more time at home with kids, even if it has its own set of pressures, create opportunities for family relationships to deepen?

While this season has brought grief and difficulty, it has also created meaningful change for some families.

Moms Reported That Their Relationships With Their Kids Have Improved Since COVID-19 Began

Huggable’s found that the moms surveyed spent an average of 49% more time with their young children as a result of COVID-19. This figure includes moms who work full-time, moms who work part-time, and moms who usually stay at home.

With everyone being home, using new tools such as Learny can really help parents up their education game. They have amazing tools and education resources for kids of all learning abilities. Learny is the only educational app that rewards children for math practice and beyond. Parents want their kids to do more than watch YouTube and play games on their digital devices. Learny helps bridge the gap by incentivizing kids to do math practice with the toys, games, and things they care about. Kids can learn, earn and then redeem Learny Bucks for all kinds of prizes!

Moms Are Able to Spend More Time With Their Children

Bonding time as a family unit has given parents more insights into what is needed for their children. What is also important is finding online resources for parent support. There is also a new social platform for parents only called NexGen Online Academy. Their mission of parents supporting parents is to help bring additional resources to those in need.

As parents continue to build this precious time with their families, remember to hold onto these sweet moments. Take a breath and find the resources which work for you all as a family.

As summarized by Clint Edwards,

“In this moment of reflection, I’m taking an accounting of what our children really need to grow into well-rounded, responsible adults with active bodies and brains, and what we might have been missing as a family because of trying to do too much. Perhaps what we really needed all along was less on our plates and more time with one another.”

(New York Times)

Find out more about Huggable’s findings in the full report: https://www.huggable.com/blogs/insights/covid-19-survey/

The post Parent Resources during a Pandemic appeared first on .

Parent Resources during a pandemic

During such uncontrollable times, it’s always good to find available parenting resources. There’s no doubt about it: COVID-19 has put a tremendous amount of pressure on moms. Considering how difficult it is to balance motherhood, a career, and a household without a global health crisis, it’s hard to imagine that anything positive for parents could come out of this current situation.

Huggable wanted to know – is there any good to be found in being stuck at home even while we grieve this new reality? Is there anything moms can appreciate about this unique time even if it’s not what anyone would have chosen? Does spending more time at home with kids, even if it has its own set of pressures, create opportunities for family relationships to deepen?

While this season has brought grief and difficulty, it has also created meaningful change for some families.

Moms reported that their relationships with their kids have improved since COVID-19 began.

Huggable’s found that the moms surveyed spent an average of 49% more time with their young children as a result of COVID-19. This figure includes moms who work full-time, moms who work part-time, and moms who usually stay at home.

With everyone being home, using new tools such as Learny can really help parents up their education game. They have amazing tools and education resources for kids of all learning abilities. Learny is the only educational app that rewards children for math practice and beyond. Parents want their kids to do more than watch YouTube and play games on their digital devices. Learny helps bridge the gap by incentivizing kids to do math practice with the toys, games, and things they care about. Kids can learn, earn and then redeem Learny Bucks for all kinds of prizes!

Moms are able to spend more time with their children

Bonding time as a family unit has given parents more insights into what is needed for their children. What is also important is finding online resources for parent support. There is also a new social platform for only parents called NexGen Online Academy. Their mission of parents supporting parents is to help bring additional resources to those in need.

As parents continue to build this precious time with their families, remember to hold onto these sweet moments. Take a breath and find the resources which work for you all as a family.

As summarized by Clint Edwards,

“[I]n this moment of reflection, I’m taking an accounting of what our children really need to grow into well-rounded, responsible adults with active bodies and brains, and what we might have been missing as a family because of trying to do too much. Perhaps what we really needed all along was less on our plates and more time with one another.” (New York Times)

 

Find out more about Huggable’s findings in the full report: https://www.huggable.com/blogs/insights/covid-19-survey/

 

The post Parent Resources during a pandemic appeared first on Heather V Shore.

You Are Important to God

My family and I have been walking through a Job season the last seven months. During this time, the entire world has been turned upside down on it’s head. It’s been a crazy time filled with disease and racial injustice. The hate seen on the news has made me realize how lost people are in this world. People are not acting out of their God-given identity, but out of self-seeking ways.

In prayer as we have watched events unfold, I’ve realized part of my problem is I don’t feel important to God. And this has kept me from responding to others with humility and grace. I so desperately want to be important in the world and to serve God. The reality is you cannot do both. In order to respond with needed humility, you have to recognize your importance to God and God’s importance placed on others.

I believe people are acting in ways which show they don’t feel important to others. My realization of all this came because I don’t feel important to the people in my life. And the truth is, I’m not important to certain people and they have made this known. The last seven years has been a lonely path and I haven’t had the eyes to see how much God loves me and how important I am to Him. By partnering with the enemy on our identity the individuals which make up our country will not thrive. So what can you do?

Believe what God says about you

God created us in his image. God’s design is purposeful and perfect, and He created each one of us with unique gifts. Understanding what He says about us shows us the irrelevancy of other’s opinions. One of my favorite verses is Ephesians 2:10 “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” He says we are fearfully and wonderfully made, his workmanship, loved, and called into good works. Walk out this belief by believing you are loved.

Source of Our Identity Empowers Our Choices

Parents encourage children to “remember who you are.” How much more our Creator and Sustainer God, the Giver of Life, calls us to remember all people are made in His image with purpose, value, dignity and worth. How we see others and ourselves matters. Authentic faith proves we are God’s children. God-given faith includes power to transform our thoughts, priorities, decisions, and relationships. Will you accept conviction and renew your commitment to live by faith in response to God’s wisdom? Then, you will be able to see others with the value, dignity and worth of the Creator.

Pray Without Ceasing and Then Act

We all need to be on our knees praying for each other. 1 Thessalonians 5:17, says “17 pray without ceasing.” And then act. We should ask the Holy Spirit to how to reach out to our brothers and sisters in Christ who look different than us. One of the greatest gifts I’ve received this last year is connecting with the Arabic Church. I’m definitely the odd man out. They’ve let this blonde chick hang out and get to know their culture. It’s been such a gift! Walking alongside them has been a beautiful awakening to the other cultures present in our world.

We’re all important to God and need help to see other’s perspectives. My prayer is to have eyes to see and ears to hear. And then act with mercy, humility and grace.

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You are important to God

My family and I have been walking through a Job season the last seven months. During this time, the entire world has been turned upside down on it’s head. It’s been a crazy time filled with disease and racial injustice. The hate seen on the news has made me realize how lost people are in this world. People are not acting out of their God-given identity, but out of self-seeking ways.

In prayer as we have watched events unfold, I’ve realized part of my problem is I don’t feel important to God. And this has kept me from responding to others with humility and grace. I so desperately want to be important in the world and to serve God. The reality is you cannot do both. In order to respond with needed humility, you have to recognize your importance to God and God’s importance placed on others.

I believe people are acting in ways which show they don’t feel important to others. My realization of all this came because I don’t feel important to the people in my life. And the truth is, I’m not important to certain people and they have made this known. The last seven years has been a lonely path and I haven’t had the eyes to see how much God loves me and how important I am to Him. By partnering with the enemy on our identity the individuals which make up our country will not thrive. So what can you do?

Believe what God says about you

God created us in his image. God’s design is purposeful and perfect, and He created each one of us with unique gifts. Understanding what He says about us shows us the irrelevancy of other’s opinions. One of my favorite verses is Ephesians 2:10 “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” He says we are fearfully and wonderfully made, his workmanship, loved, and called into good works. Walk out this belief by believing you are loved.

Source of our identity empowers our choices

Parents encourage children to “remember who you are.” How much more our Creator and Sustainer God, the Giver of Life, calls us to remember all people are made in His image with purpose, value, dignity and worth. How we see others and ourselves matters. Authentic faith proves we are God’s children. God-given faith includes power to transform our thoughts, priorities, decisions, and relationships. Will you accept conviction and renew your commitment to live by faith in response to God’s wisdom? Then, you will be able to see others with the value, dignity and worth of the Creator.

Pray without ceasing and then act

We all need to be on our knees praying for each other. 1 Thessalonians 5:17, says “17 pray without ceasing.” And then act. We should ask the Holy Spirit to how to reach out to our brothers and sisters in Christ who look different than us. One of the greatest gifts I’ve received this last year is connecting with the Arabic Church. I’m definitely the odd man out. They’ve let this blonde chick hang out and get to know their culture. It’s been such a gift! Walking alongside them has been a beautiful awakening to the other cultures present in our world.

We’re all important to God and need help to see other’s perspectives. My prayer is to have eyes to see and ears to hear. And then act with mercy, humility and grace.

The post You are important to God appeared first on Heather V Shore.