“Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” Luke 12:7
God’s thoughts of you are more numerous than the grains of sand. And He knows about the most intimate details of your life – like how many hairs are on your head.
Have you ever thought about this? About how much He must love you if He cares so much about the smallest of details?
Have you ever seen God in the little details of life?
When I have, those situations have made me feel so much closer to Him. They remind me how much He cares, and how He goes out of His way to show it.
I experienced one of those “in the detail” situations just recently.
In some of my recent previous posts, you’ve read about my conversations with God regarding my insecurities and physical challenges (Our Heart’s Desire). Because of an early childhood illness, I was left with a physically deformed foot and leg, and tremendous difficulty finding shoes to wear.
God has been showing me that we all have areas of insecurity, and that
Because we have been redeemed by Jesus’s blood when He died for us on the cross, when God looks on us, He doesn’t see our areas of weakness and insecurity. He sees holiness, righteousness, and beauty.
God has taken me through a process recently, asking me to surrender my insecurities over deformities in my physical appearance with respect to my legs and feet. He has basically asked me to be obedient to the call on my life, and quit hiding behind my insecurity, but to trust Him instead.
Recently, I was given the humbling opportunity to teach to a group of women in Uganda. I fretted over what to say and how to say it, concerned about cultural sensitivities that I might not be aware of.
I frequently teach about maintaining hope in difficult situations. But what could I, with my first-world problems, have to offer them? Despite all I have been through, I have no doubt there is much they could teach me!
Our True Identity in Christ
After much prayer, I felt like the Lord had impressed upon my heart to teach about the importance of knowing our true identity in Christ. This is an area that we are very much alike. This is a topic that spans across age, gender, and cultural differences.
For Christ came so that we would all become joint-heirs with Him in heavenly places.
Our identity in Christ gives us worth. It provides confidence. And it tears down cultural barriers.
After the day had come and gone, the pastor shared photos he had taken during the event. He shared pictures of the children who sang a couple of worship songs to Jesus before I taught, as well as photos of the women with whom I was privileged to teach. I had been concerned about the cultural barriers, and whether or not I would be able to meet their needs.
Walking in Freedom
Yet clearly God had something for me to learn as well. In the photos, the majority of the children and women were barefoot. I had to chuckle. It was as if God was showing me that the very thing that I had allowed to keep me hidden in a shadow of insecurity was something that we had in common.
The precious Ugandan children who worshipped God in song prior to my teaching.
My barefooted Ugandan sisters in Christ.
Where have you seen God in the details of your life? I’d love to hear!
(If you have a question you’d like Dr. B to answer, contact her here now. Your name and identity will be kept confidential.)
A short brief about Hope Prevails.
Hope Prevails
Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey through Depression
Dr. Michelle Bengtson
Speaking from personal and professional experience, a neuropsychologist unpacks what depression is, shows how it affects us spiritually, and offers hope for living the abundant life.
Neuropsychologist Offers Hope to Those Struggling with Depression
-By 2020, depression will be our greatest epidemic worldwide
- An estimated 350 million people worldwide suffer from some form of depression
- Helpful features include personal stories, biblical truths, prayers, and music recommendations
In Hope Prevails, Dr. Bengtson writes with deep compassion and empathy, blending her extensive training and faith, to offer readers a hope that is grounded in God’s love and grace. She helps readers understand what depression is, how it affects them spiritually, and what, by God’s grace, it cannot do. The result is a treatment plan that addresses the whole person—not just chemical imbalances in the brain.
For those who struggle with depression and those that want to help them, Hope Prevails offers real hope for the future.
Hope Prevails is available now wherever books are sold. To find out more, see: https://drmichellebengtson.com/hope-prevails-book/.
Great post Michelle…. taking the focus off ourselves and on to what God gives us to do leads to great freedom and JOY, in my experience. God Bless you.
Great freedom and joy! Exactly Mary! Let’s keep our focus on Him.
Wow, great thoughts! I am visiting from Inspire Me Mondays and tweeted this. Those little tweet boxes make it easy. 🙂
Much appreciated Kirsten! Thanks for stopping by! I hope you’ll come back to visit!
I love God’s gentle sense of humor–he always knows how to build us up while at the same time showing us that our insecurities are built on lies.
Anita, God is so good at confirming His truth, and helping redirect our attention to Him! Thanks for stopping by!
What a wonderful life affirming post. I have struggled over the years with insecurities but every time I finally am able to bring them to the cross He lifts me up. It is uplifting to know that our feet can be shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace-even with less than perfect legs and toes !!! Many blessings
Rebecca, you speak truth! Things are always better when we surrender our insecurities at the cross! Hope Prevails.
Beautiful, Michelle, are the feet of those who bring the Good News! Love you, sweet sister/friend! *HUGS*
Thanks for the encouragement Danie Marie! I pray His light shines brightly.
Thank you for sharing the challenges and reward of obediently following Father’s call.
Your post is beautiful, practical and a tender testimony of your relationship with the One who made you perfect in His sight!
Your sweet words bless me, Lisa. I pray my testimony encourages others to obediently follow the Father’s call.
Love to read your blogs! I love a Father Who shows you a very personal message about feet and that He takes care of the details and goes before us when we are not sure we have something relevant to say to someone. Those feet = His personal signature to you that He is with you. LOVE!
Oh Sweet Bonnie, your words bring joy to my already joy-filled heart. Hearing that you love to read the words He gives me encourages me to continue. We all need those words of confirmation. I pray He blesses you through the words I pen. Blessings Dear One!
True and beautiful words! What an amazing reminder that we are completed by Christ.
Your encouragement blesses me. He is our completer! He is the author and finisher of our faith! Blessings to you!
Thanks for stopping by MeetUp Monday! Hope to see you again tomorrow! http://www.thequinntessentialmommy.com/meetup-monday-link-party-12/
My pleasure Krista! I appreciate you taking the time to pop over! Hope to see you again!
I love how He uses the little things, like bare feet, to speak to us. 🙂 Thanks for sharing with us at Grace and Truth last week!
Jen @ Being Confident of This
Thanks for your encouragement Jen!