When You Wonder If God Likes You

May 13, 2011 | 15 comments

I’ve been there.

I’ve seen only my failures and my half-starts. I know the mess I’ve made. I’m the one who walks down this road of faith with toilet paper stuck to my shoe.

And I have to admit that I’ve wondered it: Does God actually like me?

I’ve listened to the inner critic, yammering and setting me up for mistrust.

I’ve been mesmerized by the moments,
the missteps and
the mistakes.
And it’s then when I can’t see past the mess to the Master.

But God …

For every doubt and lie we hear, we can beat it back with this: But God …

“But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, … he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead.” — Ephesians 2:4-5

That’s a God who doesn’t just love you. That’s a God who likes you. He really likes you. Not the perfect you, but the you you — rough patches and all.

He knew what He was getting into when He made you. He knows the way you take. And He likes you.

If you wonder if He likes you today, please, please, listen to this song by Misty Edwards.

by dukeslee | May 13, 2011 | 15 comments

15 Comments

Tay on May 13, 2011 at 9:47 am

Wow I love that verse! No matter how many times you read Scripture…it never gets old!
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- dukeslee on May 13, 2011 at 11:47 am
  
  Very true, Tay.
  
  One of my favorites ways of keeping Scripture fresh is to read the same verses in different versions. Easy to do using a place like http://www.biblegateway.com
  Reply
Simply Darlene on May 13, 2011 at 10:10 am

Here’s my self-talk when I’ve had enough of me…

1. God doesn’t make mistakes.
2. God made me.

Jennifer, this is a beautiful song. Thank you for sharing it today.

Blessings.
Reply
- dukeslee on May 13, 2011 at 11:48 am
  
  That’s some self-talk worth repeating … repeatedly.
  
  Thanks for that.
  Reply
Lisa on May 13, 2011 at 11:26 am

this makes me sob, actually. I constantly feel like I am too broken, too awful for anyone to love me, much less Him.
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- dukeslee on May 13, 2011 at 11:49 am
  
  Oh Lisa … I’ve got you on my mind, and in my prayers. God not only loves you; He likes you — one-of-a-kind God-fashioned YOU!
  
  And I love you, too.
  Reply
Linda on May 13, 2011 at 11:55 am

You always get to the very heart of things Jennifer. I admit that it was difficult enough to believe He loved me – warts and all. But like me…? Yes – all that self-talk that piles up all the reasons it couldn’t possibly be so.
But God….He is so gracious and full of lovingkindss. And He likes me! Miracle of miracles.
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Amy Sullivan on May 13, 2011 at 12:47 pm

Do you know how much I love your words? I always connect to what you are saying.

ps That picture rocks. I may try a knock off version at my house tonight.
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- dukeslee on May 15, 2011 at 10:33 pm
  
  Did you get your picture, Amy? I’ll pop over for a look. Blessings to you!
  Reply
S. Etole on May 13, 2011 at 2:58 pm

all things are possible with Him although it can often seem otherwise …
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Nancy on May 13, 2011 at 4:05 pm

Thank you for this one, Jennifer. Needed it today.
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Missie on May 15, 2011 at 5:27 pm

It is so hard to believe right?!
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- dukeslee on May 15, 2011 at 10:31 pm
  
  Yes, it can be hard, Missie. Especially when the world (and even our own faith communities) can make us believe that our failures will doom us. Thanks be to God, He sent a Savior.
  Reply
David Rupert on May 16, 2011 at 9:12 am

“While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” That’s my verse, hung around my neck. Yup. He likes me — so much that he died for me
Reply
- dukeslee on May 16, 2011 at 9:56 am
  
  True, that, David. Thanks for stopping, my friend.
  Reply