Loving yourself?

[Prayin_saint]

Backstory: So, I moved to TN a month ago to attend school and be near my man. (been long-distance dating for a year, but we know we need to spend time together before we take the next steps towards marriage.) And lately I've noticed the profound effect my insecurities and self-doubt and horrible self-image have on him and our relationship. We've tried talking through it and trying to understand it, but all that's really resulted from it has been lots of tears on my end.
Tonight it all finally came to a head when he picked up on the fact that I've been distant from God for a while, that I've been holding myself back from Him and His love. (It was something I knew in the back of my mind, but didn't want to acknowledge how bad it had gotten.)
So he sat me down and took charge, leading us in prayer and promising me that he'll lead us in regular devotionals and bible studies. I cried some more (I hate being an emotional girl sometimes!) but I feel so much better and at peace. I know this is going to be okay. And I'm really comforted that he took charge and brought us both to Jesus to fix things.

I feel like that's the root of the issue, my distance from God. While I work on that, though... do you ladies have any tips/ stories or suggestions (or suggested reading material! You know I love to read!) about learning to overcome self-doubt and self-loathing and learning to love who you are? Anything you have would be helpful and encouraging! Thank you!

Sarah

P.S. And any sweet stories you want to share about how your man helps you grow closer to God are welcome, too! I feel like those would be fun and encouraging, too. Love you all! -Sarah

[miepie]

Hi Sarah....

I am married to my "long distance-man" too...... He's a former Biblestudy teacher and I love that part of him, he's always ready to do Biblestudy......
but lately it's been me initiating that..... I read the book "Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World" and it taught me how to journal what I read in the Bible, and I really love doing that! Charles is a great help with that! Now I am reading "Having a Mary Spirit", a very beautiful but difficult book...... which I couldn't read with the help of hubby either...... We love doing those things together, it brings us closer together and closer to God.......

Love you girl,
Mieke

[Ninna]

Sarah, read Psalm 139 - the entire chapter....God made you and He doesn't make mistakes!

[livingwaters]

Hey, so very grateful that you have a man that knows what God created him for. Just read your Bible and God tells us plainly who we are in HIM...Alleluia...Alleluia...We are in the world, but not of the world. Amen.. Let that scripture dictate your actions~~~~

2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV)
Therefore if any man be in Christ, He is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new....YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hebrews 4:14-16
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our CONFESSION. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weknesses, but ONE who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore, let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need.

Begin receiving what the Scripture has to say about you and apply it in your daily prayer walk and daily prayer life using this little formula:
"IT IS WRITTEN, MY HEAVENLY FATHER SAYS...."

I received this little bitty book from Life OUtreach International..It is awesome. Their website is www.lifetoday.org and you maybe able to ask for it, it's free!!! It's called confessions of a new creation...confessing who you are in Christ!!!! Glory to God.

Looks like I did a bit of rambling, huh????!!!!!!

Best wishes and keep the Faith!!!!!

[Ta-An]

Sarah, why were you home-schooled?

[matthew7and1]

The Lady, Her lover and Her Lord by TD Jakes is a good one.

I also just wanted to say that I will send a prayer up for you and that you seem to have found a good guy in this man. That seems like a perfect response for him to suggest bible study, etc.
In addition, I would suggest possibly trying to find a fellowship of women locally. Women are compassionate and understanding towards the issues you seem to be having and may have good insights and helpful guidance on where to look in the bible and in life towards the answers God gives us every day.

[Ta-An]

Sarah, you are special, so special that G_d made only one of you
Apart from Ps 139, I also am encouraged by Jer 31:3 The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.

Make a que card with these verses on and hang them on your keyring, paste them on your mirror put them in your shoes..... bets of all, write them on your heart

So who am I,
I am fearfully and wonderfully made
I am created for His glory to have fellowship with Him

Be blessed my young friend

[Ta-An]

"From conception to birth"


Zola Levitt, a messianic Jew, died on April 19, 2006

Zola Levitt was asked by one of his publishers to write a book
about birth to be given to parents at the birth of their child.
Wanting to do the research, he consulted Dr Margaret Matheson, an
obstetrician who has delivered over 10,000 babies.
Her first statement, "Conception happens on the fourteenth day of the
first month..."
To Zola's Jewish heart, he heard the exact same words of Leviticus
23:5
God's instructions for Passover. The 1st of 7 Feasts
Margaret continued, "Fertilization must occur within 24 hrs" This is
about the egg or the seed. The Feast of Unleavened Bread 2nd Feast
The egg-seed must be implanted. Feast of First Fruits 3rd Feast
The embryo goes through many stages until the 50th day when it
becomes a fetus. The 50th day is Pentecost 4th Feast
Spiritually...these 4 feasts were fulfilled on the exact day
according to Lev 23
At the 7th month of development the baby can now hear sounds.
7th month of the Jewish calendar is the Feast of Trumpets 5th
Feast
On the 10th day of the 7th month, the baby can now produce its own
blood. This is the exact day of the Feast of Blood Atonement 6th
Feast
On the 15th day of the 7th month the lungs are developed, and the
baby can survive if born now. This is the exact day for the Feast of
Tabernacles The Living God dwelling with His people The 7th Feast
From conception to birth, every human being has completed the 7
Feasts of God just as accurately as a medical chart.
The Feast of Hanukkah is the correct distance on the calendar from
the Feast of Tabernacles to comlete a 280 day pregnancy.
.................................................. ....................
............................................
Another revelation about you and God's marvelous plan......
On the 18th day after conception...when you were only 1/10th of an
inch...the first parts to be developed were your ears and your eyes
On the 25th day ...and you were 1/4 of an inch...your heart...and
your tongue were developed.....
I am fearfully and wonderfully made....be sure to read Psalm 139

[Prayin_saint]

Thank you for your responses, ladies! I really appreciate ya'll!

The latest update is that I've decided, at the urging of boyfriend and best friend, to see a counselor. I've sent an email to make an appointment (since they provide free Christian counseling for students at my school.) I'll let ya'll know how that goes. I' nervous, but kind of excited.

Sarah, why were you home-schooled?

I was home-schooled because I wanted to be more home-based... I wanted to be home with mom and my youngest two siblings (who were still to young to go to school.) I wanted the experience of being with them and getting to run my own education... I felt, at the time, like my public school was really harsh, unfriendly and didn't build the kind of character or personality traits that I wanted to have. And while home-school isn't for everyone, I loved my choice and I'm still so glad I made it. (Had to make a plug for home-school.)

[Ta-An]

So, you know who you are

You are a strong woman that can make a decision and stand by it

You are secure in who you are

[karenoka27]

So, you know who you are

You are a strong woman that can make a decision and stand by it

You are secure in who you are

Amen!

Momof5 mentioned reading Psalm 139, and I was so excited to see that.
This Psalm changed my life. For me, I was brought up with many insecurities,was told often that I was good for nothing and had no value.

When I got saved, it was hard for me to understand how God could love me,if my own parent's didn't.

Long story short, I learned that a lot of the way I was feeling and thinking I was a certain kind of person was all false. God says in

Psalm 139:13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb. 14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
16 your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be." (NIV)


When I read that, I cried. God was there when I was being formed in the womb. Then He knew me for who I really was and not for what I was told I was all those years.
I went on a journey with Him to find out who He created me to be. Some of it was hard,but exciting and rewarding at the same time!


You have value. You are precious in His eyes...and most importantly, you are His princess. We belong to "the" Most Royal family ever.


Let Him love you....

[Ta-An]

Sarah....

Until recently .... .... I've found it difficult to accept myself for who I am.... that I could be a person worth of receiving love... as I have been abused for a long time in my life..... wich caused a low selfworth in me

And then I was lead to a song.... אני לדודי ודודי לי

Ani l'dodi v'dodi li "I am My Beloved's, and My Beloved is Mine" and G_d gave me the choreography for that song....... and I knew, He loves me and I belong to Him

It is also the words inscribed onto Jewish wedding bands...... and I have a ring like that, and I wear it

I know who I am in Him and He is my "husbandman" meaning, He is my provider, He looks after me...He loves me.... cause I am special

AND my friend,,,,, you know who you are in Him You are His Beloved
Go read Song of Songs.....