Give up the idea that things “should” be a certain way. Things are the way they’re supposed to be. I have you in certain situations for a reason, it’s not a mistake. Instead of wishing away certain feelings and situations, ask Me about what I want you to do (if anything at all). Turn a negative feeling or situation into an opportunity to pray and engage with Me. Anything negative is an invitation to engage with Me. Get excited, instead of frustrated. We’re in this together…we’re a team.

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

You are not your emotions. If the enemy can get you to think that you are your emotions, then he’s gotten you to open the door to shame. You can feel the way you feel for a variety of reasons. It could be your hormones, lack of sleep, something you’re feeling from others or from a spirit around you. The first thing I want you to do when you feel something is to give it to Me and ask the question, “Lord, what do you want Me to do with this emotion?” Many times, I want you to do nothing at all except pray for the opposite of what you’re feeling. It’s not your responsibility to free yourself from the emotion. I don’t want you to focus on the emotion. I want you to cast it to Me, ask Me what to do (if anything) and then be present.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard you hearts and your minds in Christ Jess.” Philippians 4:6-7

Your identity needs to come from Me and not from the way you feel. Regardless of how you feel whether that’s sad, angry, insecure, self-conscious, anxious, etc., you are not your emotions. As long as you’re on planet earth, you will feel emotions because not only do you live in a broken world, but you live in a broken body. You need to be so anchored in the truth of who you are so that when emotions and trials come, you can still be content. Your identity comes in Me. You are joyful, loving, kind, good, peaceful, and patient because I am those things. Your life is now hidden in Me. You may feel anxious, but you are peaceful. Anxiety is a feeling your earthly body is experiencing, but peace is part of your identity. Anxiety is a condition of the old man. Peace is part of your new creation in Me.

“For you died and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:3

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithful, gentleness, and self-control.” Galatians 5:22

“To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” Ephesians 4:22-24

​Stop trying to understand the thoughts and motives of others so that you can influence the outcome. It’s not My will for you, nor is it your business. Your only responsibility is to love. I know your motive and I know you heart. If people misunderstand you, it’s their responsibility, not yours to seek clarification. You are not responsible for how someone responds to you. I want you to be yourself and to choose to love. The rest and the outcome are in My hands. ``       
You’re really only responsible in any situation for a small sliver of the total outcome. The rest is up to the other people involved and how I choose for things to unfold. Remember that I’ve already seen how things will unfold in any and every situation. I already have a plan in place to use all things for your good. There’s nothing to fear when I’m your God who loves and protects you. Instead of trying to control peoples’ reaction to you, rest in knowing that I’m your God and that everything will come together for your good.

“In Him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will.”  Ephesians 1:11

Let go of your image and wanting to look and appear a certain way. I love the way you are….just the way you are. I love you on your good days and bad. I love you when you feel “on” and when you feel “off.” You’re adored through and through. You access the mind of Christ when you’re authentic because you’re aligning yourself with TRUTH. When you try to be anyone other than who I created you to be, you’re partnering with a lie and My grace is hindered. Be real, even if that means coming off as anxious, sad, or anyway else that’s not accepted by the world. Remember that your worth comes from My view of you, not the world’s. The world is fickle. You’ll be accepted one moment and rejected the next. However, when your acceptance comes from Me, you’ll never be rejected. Regardless of what you do, say, or how you come off – you will always be accepted, cherished, and loved.

“For, “who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 2:16

You can’t mess up. Your ‘mistakes’ were seen by Me years before they were ever done. I’m outside of time and I see all…past, present, and future. I have already determined how I will use everything, whether done by you, to you, or around you for your good. I know your heart and I see your motives. When there’s a bad motive, I see there being an opportunity for growth. When there’s a good motive, but a mistake made, I also see an opportunity for growth. This life is temporary and its primary purpose is for you to grow in love…. love of yourself, love of others, and love of Me. Love yourself by giving yourself the grace to make mistakes and extend that same grace to others to make mistakes as well. You’re human and although you make mistakes and still occasionally sin, you will always be deeply cherished and loved.

“We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.” James 3:2

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23
“for though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.” Proverbs 24:16

“And we know that God works all things together for good of those who love him,..” Romans 8:28

You sometimes think you have to plan every detail about future events because you think you’re in control of your destiny. However, I’m the only One completely in control. I go before you and am always with you. I go days, months, years before you, planning and orchestrating the events that will unfold in your life. I orchestrate these things with loving care, already knowing how I’ll use each event to grow and shape you. Submit to My care and fully know that I got you. Just like a parent lovingly cares for their child, so do I lovingly care for you. I am your Shepherd; you are My sheep. No thing and no one could ever hurt you without going past Me, the Almighty God of the Universe, first. Nothing can ever separate you from My loving care. Let go and fall back into My loving arms…I got you.

“The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8

“And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fear for today nor our worries about tomorrow – not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below- indeed nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39

You sometimes believe that you’re the only one that has struggles. This is not true. You’re human and have strengths and weaknesses just like everyone else I’ve created. You don’t have to hide your weaknesses or flaws because they’re intertwined in what makes them YOU. Your weaknesses are like ends of a puzzle piece that connect you with Me and others. You weren’t created as a solitary being, you were created as part of a whole body. It’s by being vulnerable about your struggles and weaknesses that allow you to connect with others more deeply. By trying to hide these weaknesses, you open the door to shame and put-up invisible guards that block out connection. You were beautifully created just the way you are. I give you permission to be fully YOU. It’s when you are YOU, with the weaknesses and all, that there is true freedom and joy.

“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Psalm 139:14

“Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” 1 Peter 5:9

Reasoning and worry are a complete waste of your time and energy. You’ve believed a lie that the more you think over a problem and try to find possible solutions that you’ll feel better and get resolution. However, by engaging in worry and rumination, you’re opening up doors of torment. The fruit of worry is anxiety and fear because the solutions you come up with are tainted by the enemy and/or your flesh. Invite Me into your thoughts when you get tempted to worry. Ask Me what I think about the situation. My perspective is always full of life and optimism. Remember that even in the worst possible outcomes I use all things for your good, so your future is never anything to fear.

“And we know that God works all things together for good of those who love him,..” Romans 8:28
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:34

It’s virtually impossible for you to fully rest if you believe you have to do something. Your mind has been wired over the years to find solutions to your problems…making it hard to let go. This is the only real problem I want you to focus on, which is to learn to let go. Remind yourself daily that you’re no longer in charge, I am. The more you realize that I am now in charge of your life, the more peace you’ll experience and the more breakthroughs you’ll see. If your hand is still trying to control things, My grace can’t flow. Step away and take your hand off the problem so I can do what’s needed. Let go and let God.