The Source. The only Source.
First. Let’s all acknowledge Who our source of love and acceptance is. Your heavenly Father.
We will not even entertain other ideas. Every time you rely on someone else for love and self-worth – you will eventually walk away needing more. NOTHING else fills the need for love in us all. We were MADE to be loved by God and to know His full acceptance.
We have our own stories
I’m loved. I know I am. God has walked with me since I was tiny. He’s been there for me in so many things. I have so many God stories and I tell them so often I worry about sounding like an old man with fishing stories.
However, I know not everyone has my experience. I’ve had many conversations where the person is just starting to know they are loved and accepted by God.
We have our own journey.
I asked about 10 people how they know or find God’s love and acceptance. I got some great responses, but all were personal, subjective. I realize that God reaches each of us where we are and how we are. So all our stories are unique and thus SHAREABLE! My story is not yours, so you can learn from mine – and I can learn from yours.
Here are a few of the answers I got:
♥ (Pause) Because I walked outside after work and a customer was standing at my car, told me I had a hole in my tire and helped me fix it. He’s there for me. He sees me.
♥ Because I can relax and not worry so much about life. He’s got it taken care of, so I don’t have to do it all.
♥ I know His love when I sing and worship. There are songs I listen to that I know are for me. I can listen or sing those songs and be so close to Him.
♥ Because I am. I’ve always known He loves me no matter what.
So let’s do it. Let’s tell our stories of God’s love for us individually. Here are some ways to know His love even when you can’t feel His presence.
Talk about Him. Tell YOUR stories.
Psalm 78:4 We will not conceal them from their children, But tell to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, And His strength and His wondrous works that He has done.
Psalm 96:3 Tell of His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all the peoples.
Psalm 107:22 Let them also offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, And tell of His works with joyful singing.
Be innocent in your acknowledgment of His hand in your life.
James 1:17 Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.
1 John 2:28 Now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming.
Matthew 18:3 and said, “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.
Read His Word. Psalms. The Gospels. Job.
Be still and know that He is God.
Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. Psalm 46:10
Listen to worship music! Music can open our hearts to His love when nothing else can.
Talk to Him about what troubles you.
Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and incomprehensible things you do not know. Jeremiah 33:3
Stop trusting in money, stop being afraid of man and trust HIM.
Hebrews 13:5-6 Your life should be free from the love of money. Be satisfied with what you have, for He Himself has said, I will never leave you or forsake you. Therefore, we may boldly say: The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
Run to Him when you are afraid.
Psalm 56:3 When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You. In God, whose word I praise, in God I have put my trust; I shall not be afraid. What can mere man do to me?
Matthew 28:20 And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.
Psalm 73:23 Yet I am always with You; You hold my right hand.
Psalm 18:2 The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my mountain where I seek refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
No matter what happens – He loves you. He may not feel present, but He is there. If you can’t feel His nearness, do a few of the things above and just be still and remember what you know.
He’s right there with you. You’re never alone.