“I’ve been feeling like a failure lately…and it hurts.”
These were the words that caught my eye as I was mindlessly scrolling through my news feed.
And out of sadness for this person, I wondered what kind of words had been swirling through their mind day in and day out.
A failure.
Earlier in the evening, I chatted with a friend as she pushed her son’s stroller past our house.
She told me about the many women who come into her therapist office and admit they feel they are unable to keep up with other women and mothers who are doing it all.
A failure.
It’s not like I can’t relate. I’m susceptible; you’re susceptible. We’re all a target for the lies that want to hit us like darts…straight into our insecurities, right into our weaknesses.
Yet, it’s no surprise to God, is it?
I mean, there’s a reason His word tells us to put on the Armor of God. (Ephesians 6:14)
Because consider what happens to those darts when they hit us when we are wearing a breastplate of righteousness:
They can’t seep in past that metal layer guarding our heart can they?
They don’t stand a chance.
They bounce off.
And behind that layer of protection, the truth in our heart is firmly guarded.
Today, listen to the truth. That failure thing? It’s just not true.
The truth says: You were fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:14)
The truth says: God has a plan for YOUR life. (Jeremiah 29:11)
The truth says: “Do not conform to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — His good, pleasing, and perfect will.”
(Romans 12:2)
Even on the hardest days
with the worst rejections
and the most embarrassing, awkward, frustrating moments
and the loneliest feelings…
and thinking you’re just not measuring up.
Even when it’s hard…will you choose to listen to the truth?
After all, the truth says you were worth sending Jesus to die for. (John 3:16)
That means YOUR value comes from the price that was paid for your life — the price of Jesus’ own life. That’s a huge value!
Don’t fall for Satan’s lies and let the darts in.
The lies tell us: “Sure, you were worthy…when you performed well, when others recognized your skills and sacrifices, and looks and talents and abilities...
“But today? You’re just a nobody. Nobody gets you. Nobody sees you. You messed up and now look at you. There’s no hope. You’re a failure.”
Dismiss the lies. Let them bounce off your Armor of God.
Instead, listen to the truth
“Being confident of this very thing, that He which has begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.
Philippians 1:6
That’s hope isn’t it? That’s worth listening to!
Friend, don’t place your confidence in things that can be taken from you.
Don’t place confidence in your works, abilities, skills, outward appearances, even in your children.
Don’t place confidence in your shortcomings or weaknesses, either. Because both put the focus on “ME.”
But place your confidence in Him who knows and loves you and will not fail you and -most certainly- does not call you a failure.
So what does He call you?
