#TellHisStory: What You Need to Know About Yourself When You Think You’re a Loser

October 22, 2014 | 39 comments

I had both hands on the steering wheel, while I drove through the fine, gray mist hanging in the air. If you could have looked straight into my heart, it would have looked something like that soupy, sad sky.

I was filling my brain with all kinds of bla-aaah and negative self-talk.

My heart was replaying scratchy, old tapes — the kind that remind a woman of some dumb thing(s) she did years ago. In that moment, the enemy pounces, whispering in the ear, “What makes you think you’re any better now than you were then?”

I sank deeper in the car seat, like I had a big, fat “L” on my forehead.

Just then, I felt other words — better words — deep inside my heart: “Do you know how much I love you?”

I caught my breath, surprised by joy. Surprised by God. 

I replied, out loud. “I do. I do know!” I sat up a bit taller.

And it went on like that for miles and miles, the inaudible whisper of the Lord, drowning out the lies, with one question, over and over again: “Do you know how much I love you?”

And I said it again: “I do. I do know. I do. I really do.”

“Do you know how much I love you?”

“Yes, I do. I really do.”

The guy at the stoplight might have thought I was crazy, going on and on like that, talking into the air. But, hey, it worked. Because pretty soon, the enemy wasn’t saying a word anymore.

Poof!

Gone.

***

Sometimes, I forget how much God loves me.

You, too?

I rarely try to speak for God, but I think it’s safe to pass on a message to you. So here it is:

God loves you, and He likes you. Maybe you needed to hear that, because it’s true.

Maybe you needed to hear this one question in your own heart–

“Do you know how much I love you?” God’s asking you that question right now: “Do you know?”

Do you?

Friend, believe it.

You were God’s idea. You were not an accident, or a mistake or a coincidence. You, my friend, are a God-incidence. A beautiful, one-of-a-kind, made-for-this-moment-in-history God-incidence.

And you are utterly cherished.

Today, you might not feel loved.  You might be replaying old tapes, and you might figure that since it’s almost Halloween, you’ve got the perfect excuse to wear a mask and convince the whole world that everything’s fine, just fine.

But God sees you. He sees behind the mask, to the beautiful person He created. And right now, I’m pretty sure He wants me to tell you this: He loves you for you. And you’re the favorite you He ever created, because there’s no one else on Earth quite like exquisite, never-before-created you.

I thought you’d like to know…

“And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.”

~ The Apostle Paul

 “That means you.”

~ Jennifer

 

 

 

So, what’s your Story?

A #TellHisStory is any story that connects your story into the story of God.

You’re invited to tell that story right here, in community with us.

Share your narratives, your poems, your Instagrams tagged with #TellHisStory, … your beautiful hearts. You are the chroniclers, the people who help others make sense of the world with your words and your art.

Story is how we know that, no matter what happens, we can get back up again.

Visit someone (or two) in the link-up to encourage with a comment. Then, Tweet about your posts, and the posts you visit, with the #TellHisStory hashtag. Come back on Friday to visit our Featured #TellHisStory, in the sidebar.

A final note: This is a safe place to tell your stories. You don’t have to be a professional writer to join us. Story is built into every single one of us. Your story matters, because it’s part of God’s story down through history, not because you punctuated everything correctly. Deal?

#TellHisStory

For more details on the #TellHisStory linkup, click here. Share the love of story by visiting someone else in the community!

[badge url=’https://jenniferdukeslee.com/tell-his-story/’ title=’#TellHisStory – a community of God/’s storytellers’ image=’https://jenniferdukeslee.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/tellhisstory-badge.jpg’]

 


by | October 22, 2014 | 39 comments

39 Comments

  1. Cheryl Smith

    I needed to read this tonight. I needed to be reminded that God loves me even when I don’t like myself, let alone love myself. That His opinion of me never changes! How wonderful!
    Sometimes, I think we can be so effective at telling everyone else how much God loves them, and we can believe that with all our hearts. But, somehow, we are never convinced that it applies to us. I so appreciated this post. 🙂

    Reply
    • dukeslee

      Hi Cheryl … I am glad the words spoke to you. Thanks for coming by this week.

      Reply
  2. Jenny Griffis

    Bless you, my friend, for sharing this. I so needed to hear this today. Currently I am so immersed in stress and negativity that is seems that’s all that comes out of my mouth – all the bad things in my life tend to lead, it’s how I introduced myself to a new group I joined recently. I needed the reminder that God does love me for me – just the way I am. When I focus on that, my entire outlook is so much brighter. I’m printing this out to read and reread. Blessings!

    Reply
    • dukeslee

      Praying that God gives you abundant reminders today that you are the only YOU He created. You have your own unique shine, for His glory.

      Reply
  3. JViola79

    Jennifer, this just further drove home what I have been dwelling on for the last few days. And I wrote about it in my post today. I love when God brings His message across to me again & again, in different ways, so that I get it – we must take our thoughts captive. Bless you, friend!

    Reply
    • dukeslee

      He is so good! Glad the message reiterated what He was already speaking to you, beautiful friend.

      Reply
  4. Ellen Chauvin

    What a wonderful reminder! I need to put an index card on my dashboard whith that question! Thanks so much for the encouragement!

    Reply
    • dukeslee

      Thank you, Ellen.

      Reply
  5. BlessingCounter - Deb Wolf

    Jennifer, It’s funny how negative thoughts can hit us while driving. Not humorous, but interesting. And what a wonderful reminder that even in, maybe especially in, our pits of negativity He reaches down and speaks reminders of a Father’s love. Thank you for speaking beautiful truth over us. Blessings to you!

    Reply
    • dukeslee

      Yes, Deb, often while driving. I usually respond by cranking up my Jesus Tunes. 🙂

      Reply
  6. Lisa notes...

    Oh, this message. I am loved. Thank you, Jennifer. It’s a reminder I always need to hear. You’ve blessed me today.

    Reply
    • dukeslee

      I’m so glad the words were a blessing to you, dear friend. xo

      Reply
    • dukeslee

      I KNEW you’d see that. I just KNEW it! 🙂 … It’s right across the road from our driveway.

      Reply
  7. soulstops

    Jennifer,
    Glad you kept fighting the lie with God’s truth…Yes, we’re loved…so amazing 🙂

    Reply
  8. Becky Keife

    His truth washing over you, washing away the Enemy’s schemes. It’s those ordinary, everyday moments that really make our faith. Will we sink deeper in the lies? Or will we tune our heart’s to God’s voice and answer back with boldness and thanksgiving, “Yes! Yes, I know how much I you love me!” You are so loved, Jennifer. And so am I. Thank you.

    Reply
    • dukeslee

      You are so welcome, dear Becky. Thank you for being here.

      Reply
  9. Jolene Underwood

    God incidence. I love that. Need the reminder often for this leaky heart & mind. Thank you for your encouragement Jennifer.

    Reply
    • dukeslee

      Thanks, Jolene. I used to host a weekly linkup series about “God-incidences.” I talk about them a little bit in Love Idol, too. I haven’t talked about them for a while in this space, though. 🙂

      Reply
  10. Karrilee Aggett

    Love you, friend and am always, always blessed by hanging out here! “He loves you for you. And you’re the favorite you He ever created, because there’s no one else on Earth quite like exquisite, never-before-created you.” Amen! Who doesn’t need to be reminded of this?

    Reply
    • dukeslee

      I love you, too, Karrilee. Thanks for stopping by. Your encouragement is always a light to my soul!

      Reply
  11. Michelle Anderson

    Oh boy I needed to hear this. I’m going through some stuff. So glad I stopped by. 🙂

    Reply
    • dukeslee

      Praying for your “stuff,” Michelle. I don’t know the details, but I know the One who does.

      Reply
  12. Heather @ My Overflowing Cup

    Oh, how different our world would if all of us truly understood the depths of His love for us! Thanks so much for the reminder and the link-up.

    Reply
    • dukeslee

      My pleasure, Heather. I so enjoy reading the stories you all bring to the linkup.

      Reply
  13. Trudy Den Hoed

    I really needed to be reminded of this today. Feeling downhearted and down-on-myself, I had just been praying for a lifeline. His love for me personally is a lifeline! Thank you, Jesus!

    Reply
    • dukeslee

      I am so happy to hear that the words encouraged you this week, Trudy. God bless.

      Reply
  14. Megan Willome

    Can’t tell you how happy I am to see a quote from you next to a quote from the Apostle Paul. That’s too awesome.

    One day last month, a friend sent me two verses, written out, via mail. I have kind of a litany I pray every day that I change up with the church seasons. I felt led to put in the Joshua 1:9 along with: “Keep Calm. Push Back. You are amazing. Love, God.” Totally freaked me out, but maybe less so because of “Love Idol.” I’ve been praying it every day. Not sure what it all means yet.

    Reply
    • dukeslee

      Yeah. My quote under Paul’s. … That’s kinda goofy. But I couldn’t resist. 🙂

      Praying that prayer with you, Megan. You really are amazing.

      Reply
  15. Elizabeth Stewart

    I love when God’s truth speaks louder than the enemy’s lies!

    Reply
  16. Sharon

    Your words have greatly encouraged me tonight. I am feeling a bit low, and it’s so very good to be reminded again of how very much God loves me! Thank you for this most uplifting post.

    GOD BLESS!

    Reply
    • dukeslee

      Sharon, It brings me joy to know that these words buoyed your soul today.

      Reply
  17. saltshakmk@msn.com

    Oh, Jennifer! I thought of Love Idol yesterday when I heard the tragic news of our dear friend taking his own life. How troubled he was – always struggling to allow himself to be approved – to be loved. He loved – deeply. He loved God and his many friends and his love for nature was a gift from God. He was a naturalist of amazing skill and insight – see God in every breath of creation. But, how he wrestled in a hidden room in his heart. No matter how often we told him – we couldn’t reach that deep place with light. If he read your words here – might he have been awakened to TRULY believe? I’m posting a eulogy to him – repost of an old post with links to his blog. Will be processing this for a while. THANK YOU for continuing to blow the trumpet of God’s love!
    Kathy

    Reply
    • dukeslee

      Oh Kathy. … My heart is breaking, as I read this. I am so sorry. So very sorry. Please know that you are in my prayers. Holding you close today.

      Reply
      • saltshakmk@msn.com

        Thank you, Jennifer. Wrestling with wonder – might the Lord have redeemed this in the last breath? Bless you!!

        Reply
  18. Dawn

    That is beautiful.. God-incidence. So many times we need to hear that in our day and many more we need to say it to ourselves and those He has put right in our paths. Thanks for always sharing beauty here, Jennifer!
    Love,
    Dawn

    Reply
  19. Carmen Horne

    Jennifer such sweet reminders. I am pretty good at negative talk so I needed this reminder of who I really am. Loved it. Great for a Sunday morning.

    Reply

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