My Worst Critic

I have a habit of running after perfection. I desire to do well. I want to be acknowledged and appreciated. As a result, I can become so harsh and unloving towards myself. This springs up in various areas of my life, including my appearance, my marriage, and even my relationship with God. Lately, this harshness has welled up as I allowed my identity to hinge on how I perform as a teacher. This gave the enemy the perfect opportunity to begin attacking who I am and why I teach. The enemy tells me that I'm boring. He tells me that I'm not meant to do this. He tells me that I'm not doing any good. He seeks to steal my joy as I'm trying to be joy to others.

Then, my Daddy nudges me and brings me to the Truth. He enables me to rebuke the lies of the enemy. I am far more than a teacher or a wife or a woman. I am a daughter of the one true God, and through Him I am made victorious. Because I have Jesus, I am a good teacher, wife, friend, sister, daughter, woman, and person. By "good," I mean that God uses me to touch the lives of others. He makes me effective. He uses me in both big and small ways. When I fail, he picks me up. He is my confidence and my hope. He gives me the words my soul needs to hear. He reminds me of who I am and why I have been placed where I am.

I have a purpose, and the enemy will NOT render me useless.

I will see myself as God sees me. I will love myself, for the Creator of the universe deeply loves me. I will be kind to myself and I will extend grace to myself. I am His and He is mine.

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You overwhelm me,

You consume me.

When I'm unfaithful,

You are still there.

My faith is flimsy.

My hands are shaking,

But in Your arms

I am made complete.

In the darkness

Your light surrounds me.

In the valleys

You hold my hand.

In my failure,

You point to victory.

Through the doubts and questions,

Your love remains.

Your love is constant,

Your love is pure.

Through the ups and the downs,

Your love endures.

When I struggle,

When I falter,

Your love is still there.