Do You Live Like God Loves You? (Really?)

She felt embarrassed the minute the words left her lips.

Her well-put-together exterior–cute outfit, hair, and make-up–proclaimed,  “I have it all together” but her words and facial expression told us otherwise. Did I really just say that out loud?  she wondered.

There was no need for embarrassment, though. Every woman around her table had experienced the same thought she had the bravery to express: It’s hard to believe God loves me.

In fact, in my three decades of working with women, this is one of the most common struggles we grapple with.

(Did you notice I said, “we”? I deal with this sometimes, too.)

So…let me ask you a question: on a scale of 1-10 how much do you believe—and live in light of–God’s love for you? (Don’t give me the Sunday School answer. I want the real one.)

If you’re like most Christian women, your answer is less than 10.

And here’s the crazy part: We believe God loves other people, and we even believe God loves us in theory. But, in practice? Well, that’s a different story.

I’m not sure why this is the case. Maybe we know our shortcomings too well; maybe we weren’t loved unconditionally in childhood; maybe we experienced trauma or deep heartache, maybe we’ve become indifferent toward God. I suppose the reasons vary as much as women do.

So we plod along in our faith, talking about God’s love, but not living like we are loved.

Why is living in light of God’s love for me a big deal?

Whether or not I am secure in God’s love affects everything about my relationship with Him.

Think about it, when we are unsure of a friend’s love and acceptance of us, we stay guarded. We don’t allow ourselves to trust. We keep her at arm’s length, and may even distance ourselves from her altogether. But, if we have a friend who loves us through thick and thin, we keep her close, we love her dearly, we praise her name, and we trust her with the things we hold most dear.

It’s the same way with God.

We love those who love us.

Maybe that’s why our enemy is intent on getting us to buy the lie that God doesn’t love us. At least not as much as He loves other people.

We know it’s important to grasp God’s love, but how can we do it–especially if this is a real struggle?

Recently I read Psalm 92:1-2:

It is good to praise the Lord
    and make music to your name, O Most High,
² proclaiming your love in the morning
    and your faithfulness at night.

I remember thinking, hmmm…What a great way that would be to bookend my day; to proclaim God’s love in the morning and His faithfulness at night. 

So, I decided to take the Psalmist’s advice and do it.

As I write this, I’m in the middle of a personal experiment where I’ve declared God’s love for me in the morning and His faithfulness to me at night, just before I fall asleep.

And YOU GUYS!!!!!!!!!! It’s been a game-changer!!!

For me, this has meant telling God, “Thank you for loving me,” out loud. (Remember the psalmist wrote, “proclaim God’s love). Some days I’ve thought about the fact that God called me, saved me and made me His child. Other days I’ve sung “Jesus Loves Me.” Today I simply said, “You love me, God–I almost can’t take it in, the truth is so wonderful.”

At night, just before I fall to sleep I’ve thought about the big and little ways God has been faithful to me throughout my day. I’ve whispered, God, thank you–you’ve been there all along, showing me Your faithfulness in ways I’ve overlooked until now.

This simple practice has multiplied my love for God and my experience of His love for me in ways I almost can’t express in words.

I want you to experience God’s love for you, too.

So, would you try it? Would you start your day by proclaiming God’s love to you in the morning and end your day by proclaiming His faithfulness to you at night?

Leave a comment if you’re in. I want to pray for you, my friend.

God loves you.

Donna

And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, ¹⁸ may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, ¹⁹ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:17b-19)

P.S. If you haven’t grabbed your copy of Healthy Conflict, Peaceful Life, you can get it here. You’ll love it. I promise! (and if you have purchased the book, would you leave a review?  Better yet, take a photo of the book and post it on social media. Reviews and posts are the biggest ways to spread the word!) Thank you. Thank you. 

This month on the That’s Just What I Needed Podcast:

If you haven’t listened to the podcast–girl!!!–what are you waiting for? This month you’ll find episodes on overcoming comparison, and what to do when someone dismisses your thoughts, feelings, or concerns. I’ve welcomed guest, author, speaker, and RN, Dana Demetre, who discusses emotional eating. But maybe best of all, you’ll find a special Mother’s Day episode I recorded with my mom and my daughters. Priceless!

You’ll find the That’s Just What I Needed Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify Podcasts, and all your favorite podcast platforms.

You can listen Here.