“Your loving kindness, O Lord, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness reaches to the skies.” Psalm 42:8
Certainly when he set out with his fortune in hand he never imagined it would end like it did. Who of us can predict such public humiliation?
Even when our initial agenda is self-focused we justify it in some way. We excuse, deflect and omit in pursuit of our self-defined trophy. So focused on the want that any negative outcome is not even on our radar.
As a last resort, the son returned to his father’s house in humiliation and shame with an apology on the tip of his tongue. In his rearview mirror was reckless, wasteful behavior, squandering all his inheritance on anything that caught his eye. He refused himself nothing. Now he returned home empty handed and a crushed spirit. Head down, nothing to lift his face for. Undignified in both appearance and reputation, a social reject.
The father of the house, unable and unwilling to hide his elation at seeing his son in the distance, grabbed his tunic up around his waist, exposing his legs and set out in a full on, flat out undignified run.
He lavishly gave his son a family ring, new shoes, and the shirt off his back and called for a major celebration that lasted several days.
I don’t know which was faster, the father’s legs or the people in the community gossiping about how embarrassing the father looked and how scandalous he was acting. The town that had helped raise the boy continued whispering about the father’s extravagant spending and his reckless behavior on such an unworthy son.
Have you ever allowed your heart to create a desire for something or an experience and then afterward you were left empty or shameful, with voices of ridicule digging at your heart? Maybe you’ve made choices that have left you exposed to those who cowardly circle social media and prey on any weakness.
No matter how many times you’ve thrown your worth away, sold out or made that same bad decision over and over there is a Father who is willing to break into an undignified run, endure gossip and risk scandal to lavish His love on you.
He’ll embrace your past and breathe life into the dead parts of your heart. A relationship with Him will show you who you are, who you were created to be and what you mean to Him.
Experiencing Him will give you confidence to fulfill all you were called to accomplish and His unending grace and mercy will put a joy in your spirit and a hope in your heart that surpasses human understanding.
If you’re in need of a do over, now is the time to draw close to the One who generously gives as many do overs as you need.
Now LIVE LOVED and THRIVE!
These questions are in no way a substitute for healthcare professionals or any level of professional counseling. I’m an advocate for taking care of oneself mentally, physically emotionally and spiritually, that is my heart NOT my profession.
This questionnaire is an opportunity to journal your thoughts and feelings. It should serve as a launching pad on which to evaluate your heart condition as you understood it. My hope is that you will take what you discover and hold it up to the Light to evaluate it against who God says you are.
- Have you ever been absolutely set on getting/experiencing something that you defended your pursuit no matter what came up against it? What was it that you have
- What was the outcome? Were people hurt in the process? What did you loose? What were the consequences of your decision?
- During your pursuit were there any warning signs that kept nagging you or you just felt uneasy in your spirit? What were they?
- Were there any people who saw you on this path of making a bad choice who tried to warn you? Even if it looked like they were being mean or trying to spoil your fun, what types of verbal warnings did you get?
- Is there anyone who has received/welcomed you back after the fallout of your choices? Is there someone you want to forgive you for your choices? Have you forgiven yourself?
- Is there anything you need to or should do, to make amends?
Use God’s word to take control over the traumas in your life. Whenever you feel terrorized by your thoughts take them captive by replacing them with the truth of God’s promises in His word.
Here are some scriptures for you to print, cut and carry with you and/or post in places where you will see them often. Ground yourself in God’s truths not Satan’s attacks. Encourage your heart and mind every time you are reminded of His great love for YOU!
Here is what God’s word says about His unfailing, relentless, unending love for you:
“Your loving kindness, O Lord, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness reaches to the skies.” Psalm 42:8
When you read this Scripture, say out loud: God’s word tells me that His love and faithfulness surrounds me and reaches into the heavens! Because of His faithfulness I will never be alone and His love for me is beyond measure.
Now LIVE LOVED and THRIVE!
