A Woman Called Worthy

It had been an emotional morning. A woman very dear to me shared she had a rough night filled with dark thoughts of not being enough and wanting to give up. As I walked through church that Sunday morning, I encountered another dear friend who shared how anxiety had ruled her life. A veil of sadness and hurt covered me as I empathized with these women. Then it happened. The worship team began to sing, and the words tore my heart wide open:

“I just want to speak the name of Jesus Over every heart and every mind 'Cause I know there is peace within your presence I speak Jesus

I just want to speak the name of Jesus 'Til every dark addiction starts to break Declaring there is hope and there is freedom I speak Jesus

'Cause your name is power Your name is healing Your name is life Break every stronghold Shine through the shadows Burn like a fire

I just want to speak the name of Jesus Over fear and all anxiety To every soul held captive by depression I speak Jesus."

I felt the lyrics to my core. Emotion wouldn’t allow me to sing audibly, so I whispered the words as I grabbed my dear, anxiety-ridden friend's hand. I wanted her to feel the words, too. I wanted her to believe them and be empowered by their truth.

The next day, I had another conversation with a dear friend who shared similar struggles- anxiety, suicidal thoughts, doubt in her worth, believing she deserved to be stricken with horrible conditions.. But this friend is fighting. She wakes up every morning and starting her day with Jesus. She quotes scripture to combat the lies Satan feeds her. She counts her blessings, and she sees a mental health professional. She’s a fighter. I want my girls to grow up to be courageous and fierce like her.

I want so many like her to know that they’re not alone. I want them to know their value and that Satan doesn’t get to take that away. Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Do we believe the Bible speaks truth? If so, we must accept that we are priceless. What value can we put on GOD’S HANDIWORK? We can’t put value on what He’s created. It’s invaluable. It’s beautiful. It’s a masterpiece. WE are masterpieces. If we believe anything less, we don’t believe God’s Word.

Just as I was beginning to get my emotions back in check, dry my eyes, and inconspicuously wipe the snotty mess from my nose, the song seamlessly morphed into a new one:

“I pray for your healing

That circumstances would change

I pray that the fear inside would flee in Jesus' name

I pray that a breakthrough would happen today

I pray miracles over your life in Jesus name, in Jesus name”

Cue the waterworks. This is my heart. I see so many women who are living in grief and sorrow as they battle anxious thoughts:

Am I enough?

Why can’t I do that as good as her?

I’m a terrible mother!

Does my husband even want me anymore?

I can never catch up.

She looks so much better than me!

I’ve gained so much weight!

I’m not good enough.

How does she have it all together?

I’m just so tired!

I don’t deserve to be happy.

They would be better off without me.

How can I even compete?

The dark, negative thoughts go on and on and on. But they’re all lies. King David reminds us in Psalm 139:14, “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” King David got it! He also struggled with anxiety and depression, but he was a fighter. He learned to be grateful instead of grumble. He learned to praise instead of be proud. He learned to believe in God’s truth instead of being swallowed up by Satan’s lies. If you believe God’s Word, then you also believe that you are wonderfully made- made for a great purpose. God has prepared good works FOR YOU in advance. Scripture says we can’t even imagine what He has in store for us. (“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.” Ephesians 3:20)

Girls, please read this next part slowly. You are so deeply loved. He desires you and makes you desirable. He calls you his BELOVED! You are a daughter of The King! He delights in you! He made you extravagant, one-of-a-kind, treasured royalty. You are enough because He’s enough. If I could hold your hand and whisper the words of the song into your life, I would. I just want to speak the name of Jesus, over all your fear and anxiety. To each of you held captive by depression, I speak Jesus. I wish I could start every morning reminding you of this. I can’t, but I know One who can. As I wrote this, a hymn I haven’t thought of in years came to my mind. The chorus goes like this:

And He walks with me, and He talks with me

And He tells me I am His own,

And the joy we share as we tarry there,

None other has ever known.

Are you battling anxious thoughts? Are you doubting your worth? Are you constantly comparing yourself to others and feeling like you don’t measure up? Tell Satan to get out of your headspace. Don’t let him win. Remember, he comes to kill, steal and destroy, but Jesus came to give you abundant life (John 10:10). Abundant life! That’s what Jesus has to offer you and Satan wants to steal. Start each morning in the Word, being reminded of God’s promises and who you are in Him. The book of Psalms is a great place to get lost in. It’s full of reminders of God’s love for us, His provision for us, and the strength and refuge we find in Him.

When you start doubting yourself and your worth or you begin comparing yourselves to others, battle the lies with scripture. My oldest daughter’s favorite combat scripture is found in Psalm 46:4: “God Is within her, she will not fail.” Another great battle cry a friend shared with me is in Exodus 14:14: “The Lord will fight for you. You need only be still.” Let’s be still and find time to spend with Him. Crawl up in His lap each morning and let Him lavish his love on you. Let’s renew our minds each day by reading His promises.

As you go throughout your day and Satan starts flinging lies your way, say the name of Jesus in your mind. He hates that! Just say it over and over. Allow the Lord to fight your battles and lean on the power of His name.

Do you know someone who is struggling with these anxious thoughts and feelings of doubt? Your encouragement is a super power. Make the call. Send the text. Say the prayer. Write the note. Share this blog post. We need each other, Ladies. God has blessed us with an army of Sisters and He’s called us to be an encouragement to each other. Be the light! Our world is very dark and is in need of some light. You are that light.

I can’t close out this post without mentioning that your pile of laundry does not define your worth. That’s a selfish plug because you know I struggle in that department. We all struggle. Pinterest life is not real. Facebook only shows the fun side of life. And snapchat thinks we need a glamorous filter to fit in. You. Are. Enough! You are wonderfully, masterfully, beautifully created. Spread the word. Believe God’s promises to be true. And I double dog dare ya to share His truth with others. You never know when your words of encouragement are exactly what someone needs to hear.

Before I post this, I am saying a prayer for every reader. I may not know who you are, but God does. You are the woman called Worthy. I’m praying that bondages are broken, that lies are shattered, that doubts turn to truth, and that you feel an overwhelming sense of being deeply loved by Him!

I pray for your healing

That circumstances would change

I pray that the fear inside would flee in Jesus name

I pray that a breakthrough would happen today

I pray miracles over your life in Jesus name, in Jesus name.