Who God Says We Are
When times are tough, it can be easy for us to slide back into the rut of our insecurities and feelings of worthlessness. But the truth is, that even though we may “feel” insignificant and inadequate, God declares and maintains we are beloved, chosen, and favored!
🦋 What Would You Name Yourself? by Vaneetha Risner
“What we tell ourselves in our suffering powerfully shapes how we experience it.
Are you telling yourself that you are beloved? If you are certain that you are unconditionally and extravagantly loved by God, it will give you courage and hope, convinced that whatever is happening to you cannot be anything but God’s best for you.
So what would you name yourself today? Would you name yourself by how you feel and the narrative that you subconsciously replay in your head… forgotten, unloved, undone? Or can you name yourself as you truly are… beloved, chosen, favored?”
🦋 Who God Says You Are by Nancy Beach
“One morning I opened my Bible and read today’s key verse: “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God. Beloved, we are God’s children now” (1 John 3:1a, 2a).
Beloved. Valued. Belonging. Accepted. Wanted.
Regardless of what others say or do, our identity rests secure in who God says we are. He says we are beloved. He says we are cherished for who we are in His eyes, not because of something we’ve done or not done. We are precious in His sight, one-of-a-kind, created for a unique purpose.”
God’s Whispers of Love
When we feel unloved
God whispers His Truth
My child, I love you with an everlasting love!
With unfailing love I have drawn you to Myself!
When we feel ugly
God whispers His Truth
My child, I have wonderfully created you
And I delight in your beauty!
When we feel dirty,
God whispers His Truth
My child, I have purified you
And made you whiter than the snow!
When we feel defeated,
God whispers His Truth
My child, in spite of everything that happens to you,
You are more than a conqueror through Him who loves you!
When we feel rejected and deserted,
God whispers His Truth
My child, I will never ever abandon you
I am with you always even to the end of the world!
When we feel at a loss about what to do,
God whispers His Truth
My child, no matter the situation or the chaos,
I am still in control and will get you through this!
Just keep taking one step at a time.
You don’t need to understand,
You just need to hold My hand.
(Jeremiah 31:3, Psalm 139:14, Psalm 45:11, Romans 8:37,
Psalm 51:7, Hebrews 13:5, Matthew 28:20)
“Your unfailing love, O Lord, is as vast as the heavens;
Your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds.
Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains,
Your justice like the ocean depths.
You care for people and animals alike, O Lord.
How precious is Your unfailing love, O God!
All humanity finds shelter
in the shadow of Your wings.”
Psalm 36:5-7
Nature Retreat
”Go out, go out, I beg of you
And taste the beauty of the wild.
Behold the miracle of the earth
With all the wonder of a child.”
~ Edna Jacques ~
I love walking along the trail near the river, soaking in the sights and sounds of “the beauty of the wild” as the author of this quote puts it. Every bit of it still fills me with “the wonder of a child.” The heaviness in my heart over all that’s going on in this world seeps away as I remember how God has clothed and preserved the beauty of His creation and He is still in control.
Now for the grand finale of photos… My brother John recently discovered Great Blue Herons cough up pellets of the indigestible parts of the food they eat just as owls do. Okay, so I said “Gross!” when I first saw it. But it still fascinates me how God has equipped some birds to do this. Can you imagine what a belly ache all those indigestible parts would cause otherwise?
Freed to Fly 
It’s so often when we are out in nature that we remember who God says we are. I need these reminders often. Love these quotes, Trudy! And these photos. They are so soothing. Well, except maybe the Great Blue Heron part. lol. We have Great Blues in our backyard; I’ll have to be on the lookout now for their, um, discards. 🙂
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I need those reminders so often, too, Lisa. Walking in His creation is so soothing for the soul, isn’t it? That’s so cool that you have those Great Blues right in your backyard! But yes, I suppose those discards are not so cool, especially if you step in them. 🙂 May God give us grace to remember who HE says we are!
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So grateful to be identified by who I am in Christ. What a sacred gift!
Meanwhile, I’m glad I’m not an egret. Ya’ know?!
Wonderful to see you writing again, friend. I hope you are well …
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Yes, that truly is a sacred gift, Linda! An indescribable gift. God’s faithful love and care keep us going, right? May He carry us through the days ahead in the midst of heavy trials and give us strength to follow His footsteps no matter what!
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Loved reading this! The river pictures are gorgeous. What a lovely trail. I hope you are doing well.
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I’m so glad you enjoyed this, Michelle. Yes, it is a lovely, heart-soothing trail. I love the sights and sounds of the river flowing. I see you revamped your site. I love how God is using you more and more for those who are hurting from childhood sexual abuse. It takes a special strength from God to deal with it and to further help others. May God give us grace to do what we can where we are with what He has gifted us with!
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Wow, Trudy, that info from your brother really spoke to my heart today! There are times that I feel like I must need to keep “chewing” on some bit of info that makes no sense to me. But God provides so tenderly for each of His creatures. He knows what is “indegestible” for us, and asks us to just give it all over to Him. Thank you for sharing this. I needed to hear this today. Blessings on your summer dear friend.
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Oh Bettie, thank you so much for sharing this wonderful insight. So true. May He give us grace to keep giving all that indigestible stuff over to Him! Blessings on your summer, too, dear friend. May God strengthen you and your husband on this difficult journey of life!
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Thank you, Trudy for such an uplifting post! I love walking in nature, I feel God’s love for me more there than anywhere else. I love the intricacies of creation-the wonder about Himself that God tucks into each part of His creation!
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Donna, I love how you say there is a “wonder about Himself that God tucks into each part of His creation!” So very true! I really love walking in nature, too. So soul-refreshing. May we be in awe of that wonder!
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Oh, that would be a belly ache, getting something like that stuck! But yes, kind of yucky that it needs to be spit up! Our bodies are wonders of God. Always so refreshing to come here, Trudy, and to be reminded that I am God’s beloved even though I may not feel adequate at anything.
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I’m so glad you were refreshed, Lynn. Sometimes that feeling of inadequacy can be so strong, can’t it? To be God’s beloved and find our adequacy in Him is such a precious gift! May God give us grace to know it deeply every moment!
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I’m so glad you’ve been able to find refreshment while walking near the river, Trudy. Water (in the form of lakes, rivers, steams, etc.) also calms my heart and fills me with peace. Thank you for these reminders of what God thinks of us. His opinion is the only one that really matters, isn’t it? Hugs, friend.
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Yes, Lois! “His opinion is the only one that really matters.” Hugs to you, too, friend! May we cling to the faithful character of God and what HE thinks of us!
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Thank you Trudy, for these blessed reminders. I appreciate your words and love your insights and encouragement within. Blessings.
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Blessings to you, too, Paula. I’m glad you were encouraged. We certainly need those reminders, don’t we? May we focus on our faithful God and the abundance of blessings He still gives us!
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These are such encouraging reminders of our identity, Trudy! I especially love the “God’s whispers of love” section. And I love the photos of the river too. I also find that spending time in God’s creation refreshes me and gives me perspective.
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We need those reminders of our true identity and the truth of His love often, don’t we? I love that God’s creation refreshes you and gives you perspective, Lesley. May we fix our hearts on His unfailing, refreshing love!
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Wow! I have kept this in my inbox all this time waiting for an opportune time to read it, and God knew. I would need it tonight more than ever before. Thank you for these wonderful Scriptures and the many reminders here that I am loved by God and who I am in Him is who I really am. So beautiful and comforting to me tonight! May He bless you always for minding Him and fulfilling the call He has placed on your life.
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Oh Cheryl, that brings comfort to my heart – “God knew.” An important truth to remember. I have had the same thing happen to me. God knows exactly what we need when we need it, doesn’t He? And thank you for your kind prayer. May He bless you, too! And my we continually find our identity in Him!
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dear Trudy, thanks for this emphasis on finding our identity in Christ. the world offers us nothing of value and the mirror often disappoints. we are the beloved. i’m so grateful.
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I’m so grateful, too, Linda. So true that the world offers us nothing of value. May we rest in our Beloved as His beloved!
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Trudy- just getting to spend some time here and always always always feel refreshed and reminded that I am loved. Thank you so much. I really need it tonight! sending hugs
Susie
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Oh Susie, I am so grateful you were refreshed and reminded you are loved. God knows exactly what we need and when we need it, doesn’t He? He is so faithful, even when we forget He loves us unconditionally. Sending hugs back to you! May our hearts be fixed on our Savior who will never, ever stop loving us or desert us!
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