Unnamed
Untamed
Unchanging
Unrelenting
You creep right into my happy and dig deep into my heart and mind
You whittle away at my tough exterior until I am raw, exposed and I become a puddle of vulnerability
You cut to my very core and my confidence is shattered
You are the nameless voices saying “You are not good enough”, “You are not skilled enough”, “You are not worth anything” and mostly the voice screaming “Why are you even writing?”.
The voices – though silent to the rest of the world – prey on my mind and heart, eating away at the beauty that God created. These voices must be silenced. These voices must meet their end!
The truth lies below – the truth that will conquer the lies whispered by the voices – the truth speaks louder and clearer than the voices because this truth is spoken by God!
Dear Child of Mine,
Your heart is raw and your mind is weary. I’m here to tell you this…4 Even before he made the world, God loved YOU and chose YOU (emphasis mine) in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. Ephesians 1:4. I chose you – yes you – to be my child. I planned who you are and what you will become. My love for you is immeasurable and unending. So now… Think how much the Father loves you. He loves you so much that he lets you be called his child, as you truly are. John 3:1 (CEV).
As my child, I believe your beauty is reflected in your love for me. I have loved you since before you were born and have made you in my image-with unblemished beauty inside and out. For… I created your inmost being; I knit you together in your mother’s womb. Your praise affirms that you are fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:13-14 Believe in your beauty – believe in my love and the voices will have no hold on you.
Finally, when fear becomes overwhelming and the voices are louder than the whispers of my truth, turn to my Word, for all truth lies inside. As I called the paralytic man to pick up his mat and walk, so I call you to pick up your mat of fear and discard it. Your reliance on the mat is not needed. I am all you need. Your fear is covered by my grace and I am sufficient for you. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9.
With unfailing love and in perfect peace,
GOD
P.S. I am answering God with the following words: I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9. God’s truth is more powerful than the voices whose truth will be carried away by the next strong wind. My strength comes from God and His truth is stronger, deeper and wider. I am blessed and I am free of the critics whose voices hold no power or truth.
Thank you to the (in)couraging writers community who stretch and challenge me to share my words in ways that I have never pursued before. This post is in response to the fears we feel when we are vulnerable in our writing and our words are left splashed across the page. How do we handle the critics (voices) who are battling mostly in our heads, telling us we are not good enough? This response has blessed me to face the fears and unnamed voices and I hope that it encourages you to face your fears as well!
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Now that’s some truth right there, Mary! Thank you for encouraging us all to face our fears and to really hear what God is saying to us instead. Appreciate you and so glad to have you at Testimony Tuesday! Much love!
As I was reading your post today, I felt that mine was a good fit for what you were referring to in Shutting the Mouth of the Lion. Truth is so elusive and choosing truth always is a difficult thing to do. Praying we all hear God’s voice louder and clearer than the voice of our fears and critics. Blessings!
hi Mary, just figured out which post was yours on weekend brew from the picture when you visitedmy blog a few days ago. The voices can be strong. It has helped me to, with help, learn where/from whom they came and untangling it all. Learning to exercise the adult part of me who can speak truth. It’s a lot of work, isn’t it!
It is definitely a lot of work but I am finding that I need to be diligent in order to truly follow God. Your visit blessed me today!
It is an amazing thing that God chose us. I need to remember that way more often than I do. Thank you for sharing these words with us.
You are a wonderful weaver of words.
Blessed you stopped by! Your encouragement provided me with words that affirmed me. Praying that we all remember everyday that God chose each of us and loves us endlessly.
Mary,
I just love how you included God’s voice – the affirmation of His love for you in this post! You are called and chosen friend and He never stops pursuing and wooing you!
Thank you for the reminder that God never stops pursuing me! Praying for all of us today that we hear God whispering “you are my gift whom I love and treasure above all”!
I am all too familiar with these voices. I am thankful for the comfort and reassurance of my Heavenly Father through your words!
So blessed you stopped by, Barbie! I pray we all hear the voice of God reminding us we are loved and treasured each and everyday!
Dear Mary,
This voice of criticism that you’ve written about sounds strangely like my own. That voice says ‘you aren’t … ” but praise the Lord, we have a God that says “you are …”
Stopping by from the in(courage) writing group.
Amen to the voices that speak truth! May we hear those voices clearly each day! Thank you for stopping!
Gosh, you hit the nail on the head with this one. I have those voices in my head too. That I was planned from the beginning of time is hard to grasp, as well as His love. Thanks for this reminder today Mary.
Thanks, Karen! I pray we all are able to still the voices and rest firmly on God’s truth! Safe travels to you!