You Matter!
Answer this question: true or false? People have treated me like I do not matter. I feel like I have no value.
I’m sure the first part is 100% true for us. And the second part is a natural response to feeling forgotten, mistreated, cut out, left out… the list goes on. For anyone who has felt this way, I am so sorry that you have had to fight through these feelings. It's not fair. And if it's happened more than once, add embarrassment on top to weigh it all down.
Years ago, I met one of the kindest people within my community. Together we’ve led bible studies, planned trips, organized events, and ministered to others. She's sensitive to what others are feeling, attentive to the needs of the people around her and I've never heard her say anything offensive. In short, she's pretty amazing!
However, she has not been without pain. When she was younger, she experienced extreme bullying in school and her family home split by divorce. Her very formative years were filled with emotional ups and downs that caused her to question her very existence, feeling, “People have treated me like I do not matter. I feel like I have no value.”
This was such a deeply rooted belief in her. I hadn't heard one person ever try to exclude or leave her out, but I know treatment from others in the past left a mark on her heart and image. So over the years we have chipped away at the lie that whispers to her. That she's invisible, that no one notices her, that no one wants her around. She's been so brave to accept the answer, that's not true. The community loved and embraced her, but the one that truly changed her mind was Jesus.
Only He can erase and take away deeply rooted pain and offenses. His sacrifice washes over the lies from hell that alter our perceptions of reality and makes us new. The enemy can successfully lead us into a false world where every painful experience we’ve had spews hopeless thoughts into our present and future.
Consider Jesus’ encouraging words in Matthew 10:26-31:
“So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs…Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”
Isn’t that incredible! When the Lord exposes false things, they die and lose power. Be brave and have courage to face these lies and arm yourself with God's truth, it will set you free.
I don't know where you're at in life but if you answered TRUE to my first question, then today is the day to reach out to the most encouraging people in your life and expose this lie. It's the day to ask for prayer and watch the lie fade away and the atmosphere around you change.
By Pastor April Cannistraci