In Others’ Words: Grasp (Guest Post by writer Pepper Basham)

 

Just the Way You Are, my work-in-progress (WIP), is the story of a single mom whose ex-husband not only left her for a younger model, but also left her with a wealth of insecurities. Throughout the story, she’s constantly struggling with being good enough to be loved, and certain she’s one breath away from failure.

So she’s in a constant state of turmoil. Sounds like a horrible way to spend an afternoon, much less every day of your life, doesn’t it?

Insecurities are the worse sorts of dream killers. They hold this amazing ability to cause inertia — to squeeze our effectiveness out of us like a sudden rush of cold air to our lungs.

Insecurities keep us from seeing God’s work in our lives, and particularly God’s goodness, because we are plagued with self-doubt.

So let’s break down “insecurity.” In all honesty, it’s just another word for fear, stemming from an inner worry that if we become vulnerable:

We’ll fail
We’ll be rejected

The only cure for insecurity is the right perspective: to realize we are loved by God. This is true in my WIP — and it’s true in real life.

Christ became vulnerable for us. He was rejected so we don’t have to be. His love defines who we are, so that even in our weaknesses, we are made strong.

When we let go of our fears and trust in His love for us, we reap the beautiful rewards of peace and joy. Not only that, but our vision clears so that we can see other gifts that God has for us too.

In Just the Way You Are, my heroine realizes God loves her just the way she is — because of Christ. She can never fail too greatly or fall too far. His love will hold her, heal her, restore her, and strum a song of praise within her soul.

God encourages us to ask, seek, knock. Why? He longs to give His kids great gifts. To shower us with His love in tangible and intangible ways. Letting go of our fears opens our hands to the blessings — His strength, courage, faith, hope — and so many others.

It’s amazing to know that you are loved . . .  Just the Way You Are.

In Your Words: How have you experienced God’s love in tangible and intangible ways — knowing He loves you just the way you are?

God loves you Just the Way You Are Click to Tweet

Are you holding on to fear? Click to Tweet

Pepper Basham writes romance peppered with grace and humor. You can find her on her personal blog, Words Seasoned With Salt, or at her group writing blog, The Writers Alley.