Protected. Worthy. Loved.

These are the words that penetrate my mind first thing this morning. What a blessing because these are all words of special significance to me.

Protected.

“But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.“ Psalm 5:11

Most people want to feel safe, but I think women especially have a need for this kind of security. I know I do. When we think of protection I think most people immediately think about physical safety. However, I think it is this and more. I think protection in its fullest includes protection of our heart and mind and soul. It even includes emotional protection. After all, human intimacy grows deep in an atmosphere of emotional safety. 
Protection is something God promises in his word, but it’s something he has guaranteed me especially in the last year as a promised reward in the midst of some specific obedience. Where I fail to receive this from people, I know I can receive it from God—and so can you.

Worthy.

“being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.“ Philippians 1:6

The lie the enemy has whispered to me my entire life is that I was not enough. It was in my own self talk or the actions and words of others (who probably were acting out of their own worthiness issues). I felt less than, like I didn’t do it right, I was told I wasn’t doing it right, and because I was so quiet as a child I learned at an early age to feel invisible. I grew to become very comfortable being invisible, cruising below the radar and unseen. It was easier to self preserve this way, but it wasn’t God’s way or his plan. God designed us to be risk takers—this includes  with our hearts. One way he has spread my wings is to love and heal me to a level of worth that I am able to share in transparency by vehicle of my pen. Not ever easy or comfortable, but I have great comfort in him and my worth is tied to what God thinks of me and the edification that my obedience bears is the best I have known.

Loved.

“In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” 
1 John 4:9-1

There are many reasons why we should understand that God is real and he not only lingers above, but he made the effort and allowed himself the inconvenience to drop in on humanity and prove to us his enormous love. He dangled from a tree-scandalously-for people who didn’t deserve his love or forgiveness—and he did it to prove this love. 

God has spent my entire life working, sowing, mending the fabric of my soul and the health of my heart. Understand that he began the major portion of this work when I was at the age of 23. He has flooded me with his presence and carried me on his back. He poured himself into me so deeply I could feel his protection. I could discern my value and worth because of how he loved me. 

God speaks to everyone personally. For me he speaks with loving, gentle and kind words. Even when he is convicting me and correcting me—he is dove like. I never hear him yell. He knows my heart, I don’t respond well to that. I’m not sure God yells at all. If you believe you hear God yelling at you, I want you to consider it may not be God’s voice you are hearing. I know he dealt with the religious leaders sternly, but the Bible to my knowledge gives no explanation of him yelling in his discipline and he dealt with women and children differently than he dealt with men.

My friends, God cannot lie. It says so right in the book of Hebrews. But do you know who can? Satan. He is a thief and he will lie to steal your security. He will lie to diminish your belief of your worth—he will especially lie and tell you that you aren’t worth loving. Thank God I began to ignore that lie a long, long time ago. Be encouraged. You can forget that lie as well and time will pass and you will become so secure in his love you will begin to forget what it was like to dwell in the insecurity apart from his love.
Let me exhort your soul this morning. You have a safe space in the presence of God. He longs for your company so much he was willing to sacrifice his worth to give you worth and security. Discard every insecure thought you ever had about yourself. You are indeed worthy, loved and completely adored. God doesn’t see you through a lens that keeps record of your mistakes. His love is patient and kind. His love keeps record of no wrong. His love is faithful and long suffering. It sees all, endures all, and it never fails. His love never gives up! His heart is full of grace and his mercy runs deep and wide like the oceans tide. You are loved. You are loved. You are loved. Embrace this love. Allow it to wrap itself around you and hold you. Let it fill you to overflow and patch every broken piece within. Brokenness is not the end, it is the beginning. For it isn’t until we have allowed our will to be broken that God can make us new. Love is in the details and he missed no attention to detail when he created you. What a beautiful view. 

Your smile looks lovely on you. Make sure today you share your smile more, drawing other people in so they can win against the lies of the enemy as well. Give your heart in to the full knowledge of what I’ve said. . . 
You are adored.

Protected. Worthy. Loved.♥️

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭43:2‬ ‭

With love. . .

~Nicole