Receive a Compliment- Part 2

Wow, I'm telling you, when you ask God to search you, HE DOES.  OUCH.  Even though the truth sometimes hurts, I am thrilled that the discomfort is resulting in a further freedom for me in this season.  If I ever seem like I am content where I am, SAY THESE WORDS TO ME...deeper still, Beth, deeper still.  There is always room to grow, learn and change our perspective.  May I always stay open to take heart, measure and be willing to change.

So, the answer I received in my quiet time is SO NOT WHAT I EXPECTED.  Simply put, God told me I was asking the wrong question and I already knew the answer to the right question if I would just ask it instead.  It was similar to an audio voice screaming at you, ''Beth, the question that heals distortions of our identity isn't a question we should ask of others or even of ourselves.''  WHOA whoa whoa, wait a minute mister...what do you mean I have a distortion of my identity....

The true question is ''Who do you say that I am, Lord.''  I'm learning the answer to that question will change your life, if you believe what He says about you.  My goal in this season is not to learn to receive a compliment, but to understand the lie that prevents me from believing who I really am.  That way, compliment or no compliment, I am free to be me.  Also, as a result, being able to receive a compliment as intended, no matter from who or when, results in affirmation, encouragement and a moment to feel the admiration of another.  My goal...To heal and grow spiritually and emotionally so that I will become what I already am in His eyes...that is my answer; that is my on-going goal, and specifically where my focus needs to be in the now.

It places new meaning on my motto---Be bold.  Be radically different.  Be yourself.  hmmm...

Recieve a Compliment- Part 1

I love to give a compliment and I like to get one.  Some people love to receive one and rarely extend one.  Others find it hard to sincerely speak one.  I have witnessed other people near death if they don't hear one and many who literally spend most of their time fishing for one.  It leaves me to wonder why the heck I am having so much trouble taking to heart words meant to encourage me.

I don't remember ever ''needing'' a compliment to feel worthy, but I have very much enjoyed them when sincerely given. Thankfully, I find my self-worth in things that aren't received from others, however we are called not only to encourage but to allow ourselves to be encouraged, as well.  I'm not sure the scripture behind that one, but logically if God's word tells us to encourage then He had someone in mind to receive it, right....

I asked a friend a question today that resulted in a compliment.  Why did I get that deep feeling inside making it hard for me to receive it...Why did something meant to be uplifting, feel so uncomfortable...

Yesterday, my sister posted a compliment and for some reason I questioned her later because I felt this overwhelming feeling that her over the top words were not true.  Hmmm....even her response to my question, had me twisted and resulted in me making excuses for myself.  I wonder if she saw through that....and how would I have reacted if she would have pursued me toward accountability after I shut her down the first time.

To drive my point even further, confidence is the root of this blog, yet I STILL have yet to send out the launch post.  I keep saying I'm waiting on ''this or that'' but the truth is I'm just scared.  I am unsure of ''what'' exactly, but I feel parts of me that are just not ready to be exposed yet.  In my experience, fear is not always the absence of courage or confidence, but is often God's way of protecting us from something we are not quite ready for.  Probably need to search that one, too.  One thing at a time...

So, I decided my deeper still moment would be the self examine necessary to determine what the heck my problem is. Where's the gap in truth when it comes to this part of my self confidence.  And how do I reclaim it and take ownership once and for all.   Faking it can be exhausting and no one should have to do that forever....

Don't be scared to intentionally search for the strongholds that keep you from truly becoming who you are, instead of waiting for them to bite you.  Being forced to deal with issues may seem easier than proactively doing it yourself, but that lack of proactivity may just be a factor in the reason you have the issue to begin with. But beware...when you do ask this bold question, He shows up and expects movement.  My search is to figure out why, in this season, can I not be open to the kindness of others who choose to be faithful in their call to encourage....

Are You Truly Free

Today is Memorial Day.  I can not wrap my brain around the scarifice the men and woman who have fought for our freedom.  The lives of so many, so you and I could be free. Above that, I think of what Jesus did for us on the cross and I begin to wonder if I will ever truly understand that type of sacrifice?  Do I truly soak in the truth; ready to surrender my ''stuff'' to replace the sin in my life with His truth?  The flag is pointless if we are living without the freedom of Jesus Christ.  You may not have bars around your borders, but there are limitations on your heart that have already been fought for.  And in case you haven't heard, it says in Revelation WE WON!!!

With those images in mind, close your eyes and merge them together.  Ask the Spirit to show you what holds you back from experiencing TRUE FREEDOM.  What holds you in bondage....

Everybody is weighed down by something.  Even if you are unaware of how it affects your everyday living.  At some point in our journey, we agreed with a lie the enemy told us and we base our thinking rooted in that lie...The cycle of destruction was born.  The good news is, it's easily replaced by asking God to empty it and replace it with what HE WANTS.  His truths.  Breakthrough is near.  Today is the day healing begins.  Are you ready?

Painting done by Glen Willams of Brandon, MS.  It is titled ''Obedience''.  WOW.