Matters
(Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash)
Dear Child,
You are loved! You matter! I can't make you believe it, but I can keep reminding you until you see it for yourself. Don't confuse your worth with what happens around you. Just because you haven't seen the answer to your prayer yet, doesn't mean it's not coming! Don't give up! In the meantime, there is rest for the weary!
Your faith matters! Without it, you are left with doubt and discouragement. It will be difficult to hang on, let alone endure with confidence. Just having the faith of a mustard seed will be enough to keep you believing I am good; I am faithful; I am loving; and I am able to do more than you can think or imagine. When you realize you have the choice to believe Me or to live in fear and you will choose to trust because I am trustworthy and I will not let you be put to shame. When you face worry, fear, doubt, or discouragement, remind yourself of who I am. It takes faith to choose Me over what you are feeling or seeing. I'm asking you to put your faith in Me, day after day, instead of the answer you are seeking.
Your love matters! Just as it would be impossible for you to stop loving your child, It is impossible for Me to stop loving My creation. Use Me as your example. Love doesn't cling to what it can't control. Love gives freedom to choose without manipulating. Love is patient; love is kind. Love doesn't demand it's own way. It doesn't keep a record of wrongs, and it never gives up. Love holds on to faith and hope. Love is constant. When you don't feel love, remind yourself it's a choice, not a feeling. Love doesn't mean you allow yourself to be manipulated, nor does it involve rescuing your child. It doesn't include fixing their problems. When you do these things, you are getting in the way of what I am doing. You have a mother's heart or a father's heart I know. It's hard to see them suffering or not understanding who they are in Christ. I understand because I see it all the time. I, too, long for My children to live in My presence and truly know Me, but so few know how to do it.
Your prayers matter! When you choose to let your child go, you put them in My hands. You pray believing that the prayers of a righteous person are powerful and effective. Prayers are powerful and effective because of the One you are praying to. I am never in a place that I'm not listening. I'm never too busy or too preoccupied to hear your cries. Your prayers move Me. I love to hear from You. And I love talking to You. I want to remind you through My Word of things that are relevant to your life. I cause things to stand out and speak to you when you take the time to read and listen. I have much to say. But I also am a great listener. I hear everything you say...I even hear things you don't say because I hear your thoughts, even the ones you aren't aware of. I know you intimately and take great delight in you. You cannot surprise Me. But I can surprise you. Whether you need hope or rest or strength or joy or peace, it's Mine to give.
With love,
Papa
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28
Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." Matthew 17:20
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, Ephesians 3:20
Do not be afraid; you will not be put to shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated.
Isaiah 54:4a
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NLT
The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James 5:16b
The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you;...
Zephaniah 3:17a