Grace & Space

I'm at a place where God is finally showing me how to give myself grace and showing me how to use that grace to make space for myself to grow. Giving myself grace has never been an easy task. I've always been extremely hard on myself. If I make a mistake, mess up, or embarrass myself, whatever happened will literally play rent free over and over in my head if I don't ask God to intervene. This past week God so graciously reminded me, that He sees me and is proud of my efforts to live life as righteously as I can. That His grace was, is, and will always be sufficient.

This has been a rocky week for me. I backslid in certain areas I was working extremely hard on conquering, I allowed ill feelings and emotions about certain things settle in my spirit and overall I wasn't as focused as I should have been. I was beating myself up badly, so badly I got to a place where I began to get really frustrated with God. It was so bad one day, I just remember driving and crying out to Him, asking Him if He could hear me. (Disclaimer... I was so in my fleshly emotions so please don't judge me when I tell you what I was telling God. lol) I told Him that I lost faith in believing that He heard the prayers I needed for myself and my own healing. I told Him how upset it made me that He constantly gave me the words, the encouragement, the anointing to speak life into others lives or situations, and He shows up... but I never feel like that happens for me in my own life. As of today, I know how selfish that sounds. I know I should have been thanking Him for trusting me enough to speak into the lives of others and for allowing me to receive revelation that could help others, but I told y'all I was in my FEELINGS!

I went on and continued to press through my week and as always right on time, God spoke to me. Not only did He speak to me, but He did it in such an intentional way, I had no choice but to know and believe it was Him. Just thinking about the situation that happened brings tears to my eyes all over again! God sent a young lady on my Instagram to write to me one night. Now this young lady has been following me for a while, I never followed back because I'm not one of those people who pay social media too much attention and I didn't know her. But when I tell you guys, God used this young lady in a mighty way. In a nutshell, she began to tell me that God told her to send me a message. She understood she didn't know me, but she explained that she wanted to be obedient to the Holy Spirit. She proceeds to give me a message that I know came straight from the Father. Giving me a response to EVERYTHING I SPECIFICALLY prayed to Him about! I mean this girl knew some personal things that I haven't even shared with ANYONE! I was so amazed, all I could do was weep. God spoke to me clearly through this young woman, reassuring me that He hears my prayers for each thing I've been praying on. He even told her to describe to me the type of person I am. Again, she doesn't know a single thing about me, so I knew it could only be Him. He addressed all the shame I had been walking in from the messed up week I had and reassured me of the love and grace that is over my life. He told me I was important to Him. And that message from Him has honestly changed my life.

After receiving this message God began to deal with me on giving myself grace. I had to be reminded that messing up does not make me less worthy in His eyes because of the overall life that I strive to lead. That I have to take joy and find positivity in the midst of pain. For example, I went to Him in my time of despair. I could have called a friend, I could have gone out and partied to get my mind off of things, but I went to Him right away. And I believe this is something we should all do. God showed me that by giving myself grace, I'm allowing myself to have space to grow. Room for error is necessary. When you allow yourself space to grow you get a chance to learn from mistakes and build up your faith and endurance. Situations that once took you out will no longer have the authority to do so because you allowed yourself to grow in that area. Learn to give yourself grace, by understanding the grace God has for you!

"All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." - Romans 3:23-24 (NKJV)

Application

I pray that after reading this blog, God gives you a new perspective on who you are and what you mean to Him. I hope through my testimony you gain understanding that it doesn't matter what it may seem like, God hears you. And even if you don't have the faith to believe that, you can go to your father and He will still find ways to reassure you. If you struggle with giving yourself grace, take some time out to learn the ways God gives you grace. Learn why you are valuable to Him, and why your mistakes don't define who you are. This will allow you the room and space you need to grow into all that God has called you to be!

Prayer

Dear God, I come to you as humbly as I know how. Before asking you for anything, Lord we just want to say thank you for everything! God I thank you for this lesson this week, and I pray that you would allow this blog to penetrate the heart of someone who needs it the most. God continue to guide us on how to give ourselves grace in this life Lord. Help us give ourselves space to flourish into the men and women of God that you've called us to be. God we thank you for sitting high and looking low! For knowing our names Lord, and the number of hairs on our head! God continue to show us how valuable we are to you! Lord I ask that you bless Hidden Treasures and that you guide and cover us on our journey as we continue to Heal, Evolve, and Rise together! AMEN!