Super Size
Dear, dear Corinthians, I can't tell you how much I long for you to enter this wide-open, spacious life. We didn't fence you in. The smallness you feel comes from within you. Your lives aren't small, but you are living them in a small way. I'm speaking as plainly as I can and with great affection. Open up your lives. Live openly and expansively!
2 Cor. 6:11-13 Message
I love this passage from the Message Bible because it has helped to transform my life.
I used to feel small and insignificant. I felt I was not good enough at anything to be of any value to anyone and this was even after I became a Christian. The smallness I felt came from within me, from my own self value. It fed off my belief that I was too damaged to ever be loved or used. I lived small because I would not step out and try anything for fear of failure and the ridicule that would follow. In other words, I was a prisoner of insecurity.
My self esteem and confidence improved when I began to change my thoughts. Every time a negative thought came up in my mind about myself, I would stop it and counter it with a verse of scripture. Sometimes, I would even say it out loud (if I was alone) and I would constantly repeat it to myself. The more I reminded myself what God said about me, the fewer those negative self thoughts became and then I noticed my attitude towards others changed.
As I became more accepting of myself, I became more open to other people. I found it easier to accept people at face value and I quit doubting them. My refusal to allow negative self thoughts was affecting my relationships with others and my life began to grow.
Your life can grow too. The best place to start is with daily Bible reading. That is where you will find the verses of scripture that speak to your heart. Write them down. Say them out loud. Think about them. Ask God to show you how they apply to you and your life. Carry them with you and when your waiting in line, pull them out and read them. Tape a copy on your bathroom mirror or at your desk. Put one on your visor in your car or on the dash.
Surround yourself with your verses. Look for situations or opportunities to experience or practice them for yourself. What you will find along the way is self confidence, God confidence, and freedom. You will learn who you are and the vision that God has for your life. You will see your life expand and get richer.
Your life will grow according to your diligent pursuit of God.
Live openly and expansively!
Heidirn
2 Cor. 6:11-13 Message
I love this passage from the Message Bible because it has helped to transform my life.
I used to feel small and insignificant. I felt I was not good enough at anything to be of any value to anyone and this was even after I became a Christian. The smallness I felt came from within me, from my own self value. It fed off my belief that I was too damaged to ever be loved or used. I lived small because I would not step out and try anything for fear of failure and the ridicule that would follow. In other words, I was a prisoner of insecurity.
My self esteem and confidence improved when I began to change my thoughts. Every time a negative thought came up in my mind about myself, I would stop it and counter it with a verse of scripture. Sometimes, I would even say it out loud (if I was alone) and I would constantly repeat it to myself. The more I reminded myself what God said about me, the fewer those negative self thoughts became and then I noticed my attitude towards others changed.
As I became more accepting of myself, I became more open to other people. I found it easier to accept people at face value and I quit doubting them. My refusal to allow negative self thoughts was affecting my relationships with others and my life began to grow.
Your life can grow too. The best place to start is with daily Bible reading. That is where you will find the verses of scripture that speak to your heart. Write them down. Say them out loud. Think about them. Ask God to show you how they apply to you and your life. Carry them with you and when your waiting in line, pull them out and read them. Tape a copy on your bathroom mirror or at your desk. Put one on your visor in your car or on the dash.
Surround yourself with your verses. Look for situations or opportunities to experience or practice them for yourself. What you will find along the way is self confidence, God confidence, and freedom. You will learn who you are and the vision that God has for your life. You will see your life expand and get richer.
Your life will grow according to your diligent pursuit of God.
Live openly and expansively!
Heidirn
Comments
Post a Comment