People have always told me that Junior year is the hardest year of high school….and they were not kidding. The pressure is unreal. There are so many expectations and standards to be met in maintaining a good GPA, getting SAT and ACT scores that are scholarship worthy, and enough to be accepted into your dream school. Not to mention, balancing relationships, a job, and a life outside of school. It makes it easy to begin placing your identity, your purpose, and your value in your job, your grades, and your test scores.

Lately, I have been seeking value and worth in my academics. The last few weeks of the school year have been filled with test after test as we prepare for finals. Every bad test score I have gotten the last two weeks (more than I would like to admit) have been like a punch in the gut and a slap in the face. I am just not a good test taker, and I blank out as soon as the paper is in front of me; regardless of how well I knew the material and how many hours I spent studying. As I watched my grades drop slowly, I felt my self-confidence and my self-worth dropping right with them.

As a result, my thoughts and my actions have been driven by fear of the future. Fear of failing, not getting into the college I want, not being good enough for the job I want, the future career I want. The list goes on.  Maybe you can relate too.

In this season, I have to remind myself of who God says I am and that he has a plan for me. I am right where I need to be. I have to stop walking in the lies I am believing. Stop walking in the fear and the doubt, and start walking in God’s truth–pressing into HIS thoughts about me, instead of my own thoughts about myself.

God says that…

You are powerful and capable.

 “God has not given you a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7

You are known. 

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” John 10:27

You are loved. 

 ^“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” Colossians 3:12

You are not alone.

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

You are strong. 

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13

You are brave. 

^” Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

 If we walk in these truths every day, our goals and our focus will change. Our relationships will change, and our whole outlook on life will change too. It’s not always easy to walk in these truths. The enemy will try to speak lies into these things, but, as long as our eyes are fixed on The Lord, and we keep seeking and listening to him, the enemy will not win.  

When we choose to see ourselves the way God sees us, we can be set free. We are set free from the labels society places on us. We can be free from trying to fit in. We can be free from living life for approval and validation from our bosses, our teachers, our friends, and our family because we have approval and validation from the King of Kings and The Lord of Lords.

When we understand how deeply God loves us, we can fiercely, deeply, and selflessly love the people around us because we aren’t searching for love and acceptance in return.

When we understand how God sees us, we can show other people how God sees them. Despite all the pressures and expectations placed on us, we can walk in peace knowing that God has a plan and knows every detail of our future. Our goals and our dreams change to fulfill the calling God has placed on our lives. We are no longer striving for the same things the world strives for. Our life, our success, and most importantly our WORTH is no longer measured by the world, because we serve a God who is able to do IMMEASURABLY more than we could ever ask or imagine in and through us, by the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Declare these truths over your life and walk confidently in them this week!

XoXo,

Madeline