Tag Archives: Faith

Faith, Write 31 Days Challenge 2021

31 Days Of Bible Affirmations – Day 16 – I Am Seen

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31 Days of Bible Affirmations - Day 16 - I Am Seen
31 Days of Bible Affirmations – Day 16 – I Am Seen

I am Seen

She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.”
Genesis 16:13

Have you ever felt rejected or mistreated? Hurt or forgotten? Have you ever been in a situation so painful you just want to run away? All you want is for someone to come alongside you and to be seen. Instead you just feel lonely and abandoned.

When I was 15, I remember sitting on the steps of an old disused building thinking what was the point? I was being bullied so much and I was trying to process what I had been through when I was younger. I was getting threats from other children wanting to beat me up after school. None of the teachers ever noticed what I was going through.

I remember sitting on those cold steps with a piece of glass in my hand and I just wanted to end it. I had a connection with this building. It was abandoned and derelict and no use for anyone. I felt like a little child so lost and worthless.

As I sat there contemplating what to do, I remember feeling I wasn’t on my own. I felt God was there with me pulling me from those steps and telling me to go home.

I felt seen.

In Genesis chapter 16, Sarai was mistreating Hagar so much that she couldn’t take anymore. As a result, Hagar felt so distressed that she ran away to the desert. Whilst she was in the desert, God had seen what she was going through. He met her where she was a guided her back home.

This God is able to see people in every situation, from the highest of highs to the lowest of lows. Especially when we are at our lowest. God is still the same today as He was with Hagar. He never changes. I have felt this on a number of occasions. He can do the same for you too.

Something to think about…

Why not have a go at personalising Genesis 16:13 and re-write in your own words what you feel God is saying to you. You could also use my version and change to your own name. 

Lynne, I have seen you. I see you in every situation you are in. You are not alone. I have plans to bless you because of what you have suffered.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts on today’s Bible affirmation then why not catch up on my other thoughts for previous days.

Faith, Write 31 Days Challenge 2021

31 Days of Bible Affirmations – Day 15 – I Am A Mighty Warrior

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31 Days of Bible Affirmations - Day 15 - I Am A Mighty Warrior
31 Days of Bible Affirmations – Day 15 – I Am A Mighty Warrior

I Am A Mighty Warrior

When the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon, he said, “The LORD is with you, mighty warrior.” “Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but if the LORD is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our ancestors told us about when they said, ‘Did not the LORD bring us up out of Egypt?’ But now the LORD has abandoned us and given us into the hand of my Midian.” The LORD turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?”
Judges 6:12-14

There has been a calling in my life which I have felt for a long while.  (I have previously shared that I have chosen to stand for justice for all those who have suffered sexual abuse). I also knew that my calling was going to be a battle fighting against the status quo. With this in mind, and knowing what odds I am up against, it’s only natural to feel inadequate. 

There have been lots of times where I have felt overwhelmed by what lies ahead. So many people are blind to what is going on around them. Some of which, sadly, is by choice. Others choose to ignore because that is what is easiest. 

When I am faced with the enormity of what I am up against, part of me is scared to make myself known. I feel a little like Gideon and question God if He’s got the right person. It would be so much easier to slip quietly back into the background. 

But God sees me as a mighty warrior.

So how do I keep going in this battle? With God of course! I can’t fight this battle on my own. However, God believes in me and He knows what I am capable of. Also, with God beside me and His strength within me, I can do so much more. I am a mighty warrior – watch out people! 

Something to think about…

Why not have a go at personalising Judges 6:12-14 and re-write in your own words what you feel God is saying to you. You could also use my version and change to your own name.

Lynne, I am with you, mighty warrior. You do not need to doubt yourself. I know there is a big battle out there, but you need to remember I am always on your side. You have my strength which I have given you. Use it in my name, mighty warrior.

Something to listen to…

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts on today’s Bible affirmation then why not catch up on my other thoughts for previous days.

Faith, Write 31 Days Challenge 2021

31 Days of Bible Affirmations – Day 13 – I Am Enough

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31 Days of Bible Affirmations - Day 13 - I Am Enough
31 Days of Bible Affirmations – Day 13 – I Am Enough

I Am Enough

I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.]
Philippians 4:13 (Amplified Bible)

I never use to think I could write very well. My English teacher was not very impressed with me or my work. She picked on me at every moment. Eventually I lost interest in her lessons and just felt I wasn’t good enough.

I failed part of my English GCSE. This resulted in me having to retake my GCSE when I went to college to study my A Levels. As a result, the feeling of not being good enough to write carried through for the rest of my life. Even to the point when I started to host my own blog.

As you can probably imagine, this was not the only area where I felt I wasn’t enough. I felt inadequate in most aspects with what I have experienced in my life. Maybe you feel you have some areas in your life where you feel the same? Do you feel you are not strong enough? Or when it comes to raising children you don’t feel patient enough. Maybe you don’t feel you have enough experience to do your job.

When we struggle with these feelings of being inadequate and not enough, we need to remember we have someone with us. We have a God who lives within us who is able to help us perform whatever we need to do. Imagine what we can do once we let go of the lies that hold us back.

When we grasp hold of the truth we are more than enough because of Who is inside us, there will be no limits in achieving what God has called us to do. 5 years later I still host my blog and I know I am touching people with the words that I write.

When we grasp hold of the truth we are more than enough because of Who is inside us, there will be no limits in achieving what God has called us to do. Click To Tweet
Something to think about…

Why not have a go at personalising Philippians 4:13. I love the amplified version of this Bible reading as there is so much that can be personalised. Each time we change the word I to our own name, or the word me to you, it brings a new meaning. You can also highlight certain words to emphasise a little more. Why not try it for yourself.

Lynne, you can do all things [which He has called you to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers you [to fulfill His purpose—Lynne, you are self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; You are ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses you with inner strength and confident peace.]

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts on today’s Bible affirmation then why not catch up on my other thoughts for previous days.

Faith, Write 31 Days Challenge 2021

31 Days Of Bible Affirmations – Day 11 – I Am Heard

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31 Days of Bible Affirmations - Day 11 - I Am Heard
31 Days of Bible Affirmations – Day 11 – I Am Heard

I am Heard

In my distress I called upon the Lord; to my God I cried for help. From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry to him reached his ears.
Psalm 18:6

It can be hard to hear when someone you care about has suffered from sexual abuse when they were a child. How you react towards what they say to you can have a big impact on them. Being heard is the most important thing as a survivor of sexual abuse. It provides validation, which is an essential part in the healing process.

On Friday 10th September, I took part in an initiative called The Truth Project. This was set up by the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse. It is where survivors speak about their experiences of sexual abuse and how it has affected them later on in life.

The project also looks at how organisations deal with survivors on a day-to-day basis. The hope is that through people sharing their experiences it will be used to help promote change within the government, organisations and people’s views. Further information about the project can be read here.

When I spoke to the facilitators who were involved in The Truth Project, I felt heard. But not only did they hear what I spoke about, but they actually listened (this is quite an acquired skill). I spoke for two and a half hours about everything. EVERYTHING! They were compassionate and understanding and yet sensitive towards me in what I shared with them.

For the first time in my life I felt truly validated.

This is probably how David felt when he wrote Psalm 18. David cried out to God for help when he was distressed and God met him in his hour of need. He probably was down on his knees letting everything out that he felt and experienced. He most likely did an ugly cry too! And that’s ok. God takes us however we are, where ever we are and when ever. He has no limits when we need Him to hear us.

God takes us however we are, where ever we are and when ever. He has no limits when we need Him to hear us. Click To Tweet
Something to think about…

Why not have a go at personalising Psalm 18:6 and re-write in your own words what you feel God is saying to you. You could also use my version and change to your own name.

Lynne, I hear your cries of despair to me. I see your suffering and your pain. I am here and I am listening to you. Wherever you want to call on my name I will be here.

Something to listen to…

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts on today’s Bible affirmation then why not catch up on my other thoughts for previous days.

Faith, Write 31 Days Challenge 2021

31 Days of Bible Affirmations – Day 10 – I Am Wanted

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31 Days of Bible Affirmations - Day 10 - I am Wanted
31 Days of Bible Affirmations – Day 10 – I am Wanted

I Am Wanted

And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.
Mark 12:30

We have a longing at some point in our lives where we just want to be wanted. Not just needed, where we know we play an important part. But to be truly wanted, where we are desired for.

Growing up I felt anything but wanted. When I was wanted, it was all for the wrong reasons, as I mentioned in my previous post. The sexual abuse I suffered, along with the bullying I received, left me feeling unwanted, disliked and like an outcast.

I was brought up with a Christian background. However, even though I had a religious upbringing, I never really understood how much God loved me. In my eyes, I couldn’t really see how much God could love or want me due to what I had suffered. After all, I was damaged goods.

It’s taken me a long time to grasp that my past didn’t matter to God. He loved me no matter what. All God wants is me. He wants to have a relationship with me. He wants a relationship with all of us.

God wants to love us and be loved by us. This is why the first commandment is to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. Because this is what He does with us.

Something to think about…

Why not have a go at personalising Mark 12:30 and re-write in your own words what you feel God is saying to you. You could also use my version and change to your own name.

Love me, Lynne, just like I love you. Love me with all your heart, your soul, your mind and every ounce of strength. I want you no matter what.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts on today’s Bible affirmation then why not catch up on my other thoughts for previous days.