Sometimes we all feel insignificant.

Perhaps not ‘good enough’–because someone has told us this lie–because we have told ourselves this lie.

Sometimes we allow the word ‘only’ to define us.

Sometimes the onlys scream at us silently in our minds:

You only have one child?

You’re only the daughter-in-law/son-in-law.

You’re only single?

You only work part time?

You only stay at home with your kid(s)?

You only volunteer at one place?

You only have that much money in your bank account?

You only have THAT job?

Sometimes we need to let go of the accusations and judgements of others. Turn the insanity of it all off. Sometimes we need to let go of our own accusations, just so that we can breathe again without wondering if the rush of panic is going to accost our bodies one more time, leaving us paralyzed to do anything at all. Sometimes we give everything of ourselves and then it all comes crashing down with one thoughtless comment and we allow that comment to define ourselves for a while, until we see the light again, and the truth grows back in tiny measures until we can say once again:

And sometimes the hurt runs so deep that we have to pound this message home to yourself over and over again, until we start believing it.

And we must believe, because God said it. We have been made in His image. Because we have been made in His image, we have intrinsic value.

 What if, instead of placing our value in the things that others say, or the things that others expect, we placed our value in how God views us? So, often I place my value in what others say and expect, because I want others to be pleased by who I am. I long for others to be proud of me and when hurtful comments are made or snide remarks are given, I feel my value decrease. Sad, really, because God created each of us in His image and it was very good.

When we have these types of days, I think it’s important to open our Bibles and immerse ourselves into the truth of how God sees us: