I am trusting God to help me improve in character. For example, with his help, I am growing in the practice of walking free from fear so that I can move forward in more generosity and confidence with the gifts and resources he has given me. On the other hand, I am creating some wise boundaries that protect me from serving in capacities that will not sustain my health.
I watch the people I love tackle their own types of challenges . I believe that with effort and support we can all make measurable progress, but it can be quite a process. I think it can be like an obstacle course — with some misplaced steps and jumps along the way.
I once heard someone say that the devil tempts us to use our God given gifts to meet our God given needs in the wrong time and in the wrong way. That can be tricky, so I ask God to help me examine my heart with each decision. This is part of His character work in me.
There are some people who are not yet able to offer the unconditional love that covers us as we make mistakes while we find our way, even when we take our consequences and make amends as needed. At times I have struggled to forgive and accept myself.
Forgiving and accepting myself is easier when I know who I am (the daughter of a King), and that I am surrounded by a robe of dignity, and honored with a crown of endearment, simply because I am His. He values my heart, my process and progress, and loves me faithfully every second along the way, even if I fall on my face. I aim to show others the same love and honor. We are all in this together!
And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32 (NKJV)
But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.
2 Corinthians 3:18 (NKJV)
What a verse and beautiful picture! It brings back so many encouraging times in my childhood, as that is one of the signature verses that our family recited around my grandfather’s table. We just celebrated his 90th birthday this past week, so your verse brings back precious memories! And I also thank you for your description of the obstacle course. I find myself in that very thing right now. Yet, I feel encouraged to press on! Love covers indeed!!
Wonderful that your family shared that verse!