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Today’s video is connected with my Proverbs 31 Encouragement for Today Devotion, Value is in the Eye of the Beholder. Click here to read that devotion. (If you are an email subscriber and cannot see the video, please click here to hop over to my blog and watch it)
Watch the end of the video to find out how you can enter to win one of five signed copies of my new book Your Life Still Counts which is available for order!
Winners to be announced next week!
* The winner of Lisa Whittle’s book giveaway from last week, I Want God, was Gina Owens. Congrats Gina! *
66 Comments
Tracie Miles is a bestselling author and the Director of COMPEL Training with Proverbs 31 Ministries. She helps women grow stronger in their faith, pursue the life of purpose God designed them for and live a life of peace, joy and happiness despite their circumstances.
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Looking forward to reading your book. Life has been rough the last couple months both at work and home. Thanks for the encouraging words.
I had to not think about what God has turned around in my life because I was stuck filtering everything. When I stopped thinking, it came to me. How like the Spirit to do that. We’ve suffered multiple job and financial struggles since Sept. of 2001, but with each set-back, the other side has seen us in better circumstances. Maybe not better in the world’s eyes, but better in God’s eyes. I wish I could say I never tossed the “Why me/us?” question around in my head, but even through doing so, He’s been faithful to bless us and bring us through each thing.
I remember when one of my sisters told me, “God is going to use this journey of yours to reach back and help others.” Did I want to hear that? Absolutely not! I was ache-ing so bad in my heart after my husband died all I wanted was for all the hurt to be over with. As I continued the journey, just a few years down the journey I really was, actually encouraging someone about to step into the shoes that I had been walking in. I remembered then my sister’s words. Thanks for encouraging me today . . . Thankful to God for not ever giving up on me.
Twenty years ago God began turning my life around when our 19 year old daughter invited us to join her at the Christian church she was attending.
We have attended ever since that first Easter Sunday 1994 and I thank God for the wonderful things He has done in my life since then. There have been struggles for sure , but I have learned with each one to leave it in His mighty hands! I do not always do so immediately, because sometimes a little time worrying and fretting seems right to my human nature.
God has been very good and I am thankful for His presence in my life!
Wow, todays reading really hit home with me. I look back over the last 15 years at all the extreme challenges He has brought us to and through. Its so true when you’ve lost everything but God, you realize He’s all you need. We are in a financial mess right now and what we hold to is that He never left us in the past and He won’t forget about us now. We are waiting for His mighty hand to transform our situation and we are expecting Him to show up and show off.
Thanks so much for the video today, I really needed that reminder!! There have been SO many times I could look back and see where God worked things for good. But, one of the most recent and more memorable, was 2011. I was laid off from my job in February 2011 after nearly 40 years of being employed (not the same job but just working). Anyway, that was really hard, but my mother was in GA (I live in AL) recovering from surgery for broken femur AND she had cancer. So, that gave me time to go be with her and help her because as it was, she passed away that summer. So, God knew I needed that time with her and worked it for the good! Praise God!
Thank you so much for the video message today. Your story of your doll was such a wonderful reminder of how God sees us. I struggle often with feeling unworthy of God’s love because of sin in my past. Even though I have prayed for forgiveness and know in my mind that He has forgiven me, my heart often won’t let it go. Your words today were such a loving reminder that God no longer sees that sin and that I am worthy in His eyes!
For so long I have struggled with self-worth, but your video this morning opened my eyes and flipped a switch to how God sees me (As I thought of my own ratty-looking childhood doll!)
God is currently working for good in a present dark circumstance. I can’t see the result and it may not end like I would choose, but I trust Him to know what outcome is best for me!
What a beautiful reminder of how God sees each one of us. It wasn’t that long ago that God finally got a hold of my heart to show me who I really am. I came out of a messy marriage to, of all people, a pastor. We had a home life that was very unsettled and not godly. This man created such a defeated heart within me that I lost all hope that God could love me enough to rescue you me from that life. Besides just being verbally and emotionally abused, I was also trying to keep it together because, well, that is what I was taught that Pastor’s wives must do. Life is far different now and God has redeemed what man tore down. I am renewed, refreshed and ready to see what God has for me during the rest of my journey. I know He will use the ashes of my life to make a beautiful message for other hurting women I come in contact with.
This was such a special Proverbs 31 Devotion today! I am bulimic with Anorexic tendencies and I don’t see myself in a mirror like others see me. You might not be familiar with this disorder but I have had some treatment at least enough to know when I look into the mirror I see what your kids had seen in the doll irreversible imperfections. I know I am a Child of God and I know he sees me as a perfect creation. And I still dare to look in the mirror and sometimes my mind can focus on how pretty my hair is that day or what beautiful blue eyes I have. But not usually My eyes go to the imperfections and it keeps me with a low self esteem but today through your Devotion when I have to look in a mirror I will probably see all my imperfections but I will say God thinks I am beautiful and worthy enough to have The Holy Spirit dwell within me. Thank you! Your Devotion took me further on a long journey to healing,
Sincerely,
J.L. Pitts
I am with you on the blog hitting a spot in regards to eating disorders. I am an obsessive compulsive eater working to make strides towards a healthy lifestyle not dependent on the grip food has over me. I received a blow yesterday in this battle that reinfused feelings of worthlessness in me. A friend who understands this journey in such similar ways shared this blog with me this morning. AMEN!
God is using my past addictions-too men, alcohol and drugs to help other women who are now struggling to see hope and His light. I am still working with God on a food issue but I know through Him I will have victory there too and He will use my struggle for His Glory!
Praising God for 14 1/2 years clean and sober!
Great devotion this morning – thank you! It helps me to remember that God not only sees me as His beloved daughter, but that He sees all of His children that way and I should strive to see others as He sees them. God’s love and grace are for everyone and He will work in our lives if only we will let Him!
I struggle with feeling loved or knowing that I’m loved. Criticizing words about my hair, how I dress, lack of college education, etc. I am thoroughly involved in ministry and receive the criticism from those that are in the ministry as well. Those that say, they are Christians. It is extremely hard at times to put on a smiling face while crying inside.
Nissa, my heart goes out to you. My mom had me when she was 15. She was an addict/alcholic & told me often she wished I was never born; but that’s a whole ‘nother story. My point is, I can relate to your comments about not knowing if you’re loved. My guess is that you’re not even sure if you know how to love yourself; if it hasn’t been shown to you, how could you. Well I’m living, breathing proof that 1. You ARE loveable, 2. You CAN love, 3. God DOES love you, 4. You ARE beautiful. 5. You can attain PEACE and JOY in your life. You may be saying how can you say that, you haven’t even seen me. Well my friend, you are made in His image first of all (Genesis 1:26) and He is everything beautiful and second of all His word says that you are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14)! It’s apparent to me that God has called you into Ministry from your statements. The first rule of ministry, no matter what faith you are, is Love. If love isn’t being shown to one another within the ministry where you are, how is that ministry going to reach a dying world. I’m referring to your statement that some of the people involved in that ministry have made you feel bad about yourself. Ephesians 4:29 tells us “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Over & over God’s word tells us to lift each other up and encourage one another – see 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (Proverbs 18:21, Proverbs 10:11, Acts 15:32, 1 Thessalonians 4:18, Hebrews 10:25). Satan is out to steal, kill, and destroy. You know this. Starting now, refuse to accept or believe the negative comments he is throwing at you through various individuals. Recognize it for what it is. Be confident in the knowledge that you ARE a child of the Lord! You’re a child that obviously has a calling on your life, so stand firm on your faith (“You did not choose Me but I chose you…”John 15:16)! I said a prayer for you, that the Lord would lead and guide you, that he would send healing for that deep rooted hurt I sensed. I encourage you to fast and pray. If you are not being fed spiritually where you currently worship, He may be leading you somewhere else; somewhere YOUR ministry can grow. It’s vitally important that you find a couple of saints that are rooted in God’s word that you can confide in and be advised and encouraged (not busy-bodies and gossipers) but ladies who will pray with and for you and your ministry. Because I’m telling you, once you get past the head knowledge that God loves you, and you can really embrace the reality, the truth, the Amazing love of Christ and know that yes He really does love YOU, your life will never be the same. And guess what, then you’ll be telling your story. 😉 and don’t be saying you can’t be talking about me, I’m not good enough or worthy (because not even the richest, holiest person on earth is good enough!) The fact that you are drawn to God settles that once and for all…John 10:27. Just to let you know, I’m a single mom raising 3 kids with no education either and my God has ALWAYS provided. I’m so blessed to be in a church now where love and charity is not only preached but practiced; but we did have to pray about it and God lead us to it from a church we’d been going to for several years where all 3 of my kids and I were very active in the ministry. He puts us in places for a season. May your life be blessed and you be encouraged, but most of all I pray that God wraps his arms around you and lets you know that you are indeed LOVED. I believe you will emerge victorious!
Thank you for this inspiring message. Most people think of beauty in the eye of the beholder, and you reminded us of the beauty of valuing those we love no matter what. Just like Christ does for us.
Thank you so much Tracie for allowing God to speak through you and giving us the encouragement so many of us have been needing!
Out of the blue one day, I woke up catatonic and diagnosed with severe depression/anxiety and hospitalized. I begged God every day for 18 months to take this away from me or to let me die. I truly thought I had done something so wrong in my life to make God no longer love or care for me because I was suffering through this. Following a miracle healing by our Loving Father, He has allowed me to use my story and experience to provide compassion and kindness to others who are dealing with the same issues. Although I was in so much anguish during this time, I now know that He truly loved me throughout and I thank Him for that dark time so that I can be there for others in anyway possible.
What a great devotion and scripture passage. When I think about how little worth a sparrow had in the world that the vendor would throw in another one to temp the buyer to give two pennies.
Yet God values those little sparrows sold two for a penny …. even that fifth one thrown in is not overlooked.
So inspired by everyone’s comments so far. What a blessing to see not only how God uses hardships for purpose, but how He is speaking to hearts today about how much He loves them!
Thank you for your devotion today. I struggle with self-worth at times and need to be reminded by God’s word how much he loves me and that I am valuable to him. God has used a thorn in my flesh for the past 20 years that he would not take away, but I see now how he is using that to minister to others. God is GOOD!
Thank you so much for this reminder. I loved that you shared the verse from Jeremiah – a needed reminder that God loves us so dearly that He has a future plan for us. And not just a plan, a prosperous and hope-filled plan! There have been so many times that God has used my messes for His good and this has truly blessed my life.
Thank you! Would love to read the book.
Thanks for the encouraging words! It’s a daily struggle for me to remember this truth. I know I would enjoy reading your book. (And my kids think my Simon ventriloquist doll is a little scary, too!)
Oh Tracie!, your words today, reinforced what God is showing me in this season !
It’s been a rough few years, lots of changes and upside down life altering situations that have rocked my world. In the midst of feeling like Job, I know God is in control, but yet, I’ve cried out many times, Lord, when will my deliverance come?
His quietness seems to be taking a long vacation, but I know he is teaching me, proving himself true.
This week, I’ve realized the depth if what I’ve struggled with, is fear. The devil wants to harm me, but he can’t . God is going to use this experience as a light to helps others, as my desire reaches deeper levels in Christ , I am a willing vessel to share with other women his grace , his wonderful love, that will move me / us from imperfection, into His wholeness, and his greatness.
Greater is He that lives in me, than anything in this world that tries to harm me.
Oh, sisters who are reading this, I pray you let Him release you from all fears, all worry and stress. He gives such freedom. You are a living testimony of his great and wonderful love!!!!!!!!!!
Bless you Tracie, as you serve this sweet community of Proverbs 31 ladies!!!! Love you!!!!!!
I am hoping to be able to use your book in leading a ladies group. I love this message! I have struggled with many insecurities and low self-esteem growing up, and God has been turning these things into victories in my adult years. I continue to struggle in some areas, but the struggle now is not without hope. I know that God is God and He is above all, no matter how I am feeling or what is going on around me. I went from a person who used to not speak up in a Sunday School class, youth group, or any group of more than two people, to someone who is leading (with some trembling!) women’s groups.
I look forward to reading your book. I truly need another perspective on my life. The past 5 years have been the hardest ever in my life, I’m trying to understand and be comfortable with my life as it is. You see I had to have a major life changing surgery and I’m still dealing with the ramifications from it and trying to understand how my life truly matters now. I prayed and fasted and believed for a much different outcome than this and now even after 5 years I still struggle. I’m wondering if the ‘cure’ was really better than before the surgery, at least I still had hope then. Now everything is so final its a really difficult place to be in the present, I feel so guilty of the route I had to take. I really want this to be a testament of Gods blessings but it seem so elusive to me now. I still pray fast and believe that God will reveal the answers one day. I’m hoping that your book can give me insight, on something I maybe overlooking… or even something God wants me to know.
God Bless you Tracie
Thank you so much for your devotion today!
God is so good. When He wants you to understand something, He never gives up. “Thank you Jesus!”
Luke 12:6-7 and Jeremiah 29:11 have been popping up in my life steady over the last few weeks! Heehe
Many humans have been taught and rewarded for their ‘doings’ or to face consequences…so to wrap my mind around the fact that, that’s NOT the way God works, is a complete different mind set, yet…So freeing that I don’t need to perform!
Happy Thanksgiving from my home to yours!
This story about the doll really related to me, as I have had such an experience. Being a senior of many years it is easy to feel that you are of no longer an use or value. I can use this experience of the well played with doll being loved and excepted just as she is, with all her memories and love she has received especially from God as well as all those around her. We all have that ability to accept what we are and know that God has a plan and be ready to be taken out of that box with all the bumps and warts and smile say God has been good.. Thank you Tracy..
I do hope that makes sense. Happy Thanksgiving to you and family
I shared above with another lady that I was led to this devotion today by a friend who understands so greatly this deep intense sstruggle with obsessive compulsive eating and the devaluing effects it has not just in how I look but emotionally how I feel. This has been a piece with me for quite some time. Around four years ago I thought I had it “beat.” I lost a ton of weight, looked good, felt good, recognized much and put my foot forward to share my testimony with others. Oh how it hurts to be deeper in that situation now after bearing very suppressive times and the old behavior returning in even greater tendencies. I look back and wonder how God can use this person, this failure, that thought was so triumphant but stumbled. I’m working through healing and recognizing that I am not a failure but of great worth and still extended love and grace and mercy in surpassing amounts. Yet yesterday a tiny blow was dealt, yet again causing me to question my value and worth. I so desperately wanted to say that I give up battling. Thank you God for a friend that gets it and helped pick me back up and for her sharing this message this morning. There is more to this than victory over a food disorder. There is value regardless of it.
Oh and I wanted to say that I have put this book on my reading wish list. What an important biblical message to share!
Tracy – what an awesome reminder! We live in a world system that beats us down, up, and every which way. Its sometimes hard to keep focused straight ahead and not to vere left or right! I choose to keep my eyes on Jesus! I send letters and cards to our brothers and sisters who are incarcerated and this is the message that I will write to them this month. thanks so much and I pray grace and peace to you and your household. Please pray for my nephew John Swisher age 16, battling leukemia.
I struggle with self criticism and guilt due to my past. However I did get a little glimpse of how God can use the horrible things we endure to help others. After sharing with a friend, she was able to use the knowledge of my past to help a family who was going through some similar issues. I am interested in reading this book to help me understand the value God has for me.
Your inspirational video and devotion for today could not be more congruent with the circumstances in my life at the present moment. This year has been the most difficult time I have ever experienced. Unfortunately, I lost my husband on Christmas morning of 2013. And while I do believe that God will eventually turn this tragedy in my life around into something that is meant for good, sadly, I cannot say that I can see what that is as of yet. I am still very much suffering severely as a result of this. But, thankfully, my hope and my faith is being restored, and I am growing stronger every day. Like it says in the Scripture you shared today, the Lord has a plan for my life. And I am going to trust in His plan, because I truly believe that all things work together for the good of those who love the Lord. And I do love Him.
A co-worker told a lie about me to our boss. What Satan meant for evil God used it to draw me closer to Him.
Tracie,
Love your enthusiasm on the video in expressing your desire for all of us to value ourselves the way God does. I’ve struggled all my life with low self-esteem and unworthiness, even though I’ve been blessed with physical beauty. As years pass, I am aware that I can no longer get value from my appearance/beauty or from others. I have spent decades chasing approval from others to build my own value. But God now, is doing an amazing work in my heart ……. it is beautiful and deeply profound and of great worth and value ….. !! Praise God, I am looking to Him and what he has already done.
A wonderful reflection for our Canadian Thanksgiving!
Blessings to you, Tracie
Thank you for the wonderful message today. I struggle with being a bully to myself a lot of times. I need to remember that I am a creation of God, I wonderful masterpiece. I am great at encouraging others but I need to see the beauty in me. Thanks for reminding me how special we are to God!! =)
Suzanne
Great reminder of how God will always see us as His ‘treasure’. I will be honest and say I really came to your blog not so much for the giveaway (and I love book giveaways!) but I really wanted to see your doll that your children shunned. 🙂 She wasn’t that bad! 🙂 I still have my doll (with all her outfits) called Candy…she is over 50 years old now! That’s hard to believe!
Thanks for the great post!
I would love to read your book–cause I’m still learning the idea that my life still counts.
I discovered your blog today. I so enjoyed your message on our value to God! I’m hoping to share this with my senior ladies group. I would be thrilled to win one of your books!
I look forward to reading your book. I was married for 7 1/2 years and during that time I stopped going to church because of the problems it caused with my husband. Then one day he decided to file for divorce. I was completely devastated. I never saw it coming. I was raised that divorce was wrong. But now I can say that divorce was the best thing that could have happened. I am closer to Jesus than I have ever been. I went to college and have a good job. God knew what it took to get me out of a bad situation.
What a great message today, Tracie! Thank you so much for sharing your heart. We are God’s children and treasured by Him.
I just got my copy from the local bookstore. it seemed to be delivered before the official release date.
I can hardly wait to dig into the book, and know that it is made for me at this point in my life.
This devotional was written just for me and I was in awe when I read and considered how for so many years I have hated myself due to my many failures and missteps. I am a survivor of molestation and along with other family issues, I was an angry and bitter teenager. I never felt worthy of much, but as my relationship with God grew, God healed me of all the anger and bitterness in my heart. God then opened doors for me to work in children’s services. During my time in this organization, God helped me to be able to relate to teenagers whom had experienced similar issues and also to be able to reach them and get them to see that God had a future for them in mind. Many of my teens couldn’t see anything within themselves and felt that the things they experienced defined who they were and where they could go in the future. My role as a case planner showed me just how much God loves me and showed me that God wanted to use my experience to help me to relate to others, to love others unconditionally and also to encourage others. God took something that left me wounded and used my experience to give me a heart for teens and even their parents whom were carrying so many wounds from their own childhoods. It humbled me and helped me to deal with even the most difficult parents with the love of God shining through.
I too have Baby Chrissy doll and she isn’t as cute as she used to be. I was reading my Journey for today’s devotion and it talked about how we view God as Father usually depends somewhat of our earthly father. I never could please my dad unless I did something worthy. A light bulb went off today as to why I don’t always trust my Heavenly Father is because I don’t feel like I’m doing exceptional things to earn His favor or get the things I pray for. I now realize what I was doing and God isn’t like that.
Looking forward to reading your book. I lead a 12 step women’s group for celebrate recovery and I believe that this book will help each of us to know how much God really values us. One of my favorite songs is His Eye Is On The Sparrow.
I am not sure how God can use me much less my past. Still hard to see my value in God’s eyes.
I had migraine headaches back in the 1980’s and I lost my clerical job. I was devastated. But the Dept of Rehab was willing to retrain me. I returned to college as an adult. I fell in love with school and I was trained as a medical assistant. I met some amazing teachers who invested in me. God redeemed that time and gave me the ability to become a registered nurse. Great video, Tracie.
Thank you so much for the encouragement Tracie
I went through a heartbreaking divorce several years ago and really wondered if I had blown it with Hgod, my self esteem was shattered.
Many years have passed since then and throughout all those years God has shown me that His love never fails, we might write ourselves off, but He never does. Divorce is not the unforgivable sin, and I have spoken to many people who have gone through this over the years, His love never changes, He is the same yesterday, today and forever. One of the biggest weapons of the enemy is to get us to believe a wrong perspective of who we are to God and who we are in Him. We need to forgive ourselves as He forgives us.
My pain and struggle has given me compassion to comfort and encourage those who are facing the same situation I went through years ago.
He certainly can use our past to help others which I believe is part of the healing process for ourselves.
I was alone and unloved by any man until I was 45 years old. I wondered why God thought I didn’t deserve the happiness of love and marriage. Then God brought my husband into my life. Not only do I know the joy that comes from my union with him, but through him God brought me to a new church, which led to a much deeper relationship with the Lord and He’s using me to minister to others in amazing ways. God is so good!
I know how valuable I am to God and I see how wonderful and beautiful he has made me. I’m just so lonely and would love to have some friends to talk to. God bless you.
Tracie, you are precious!! I loved this! I have a similar doll story. My doll’s name is Susie Sunshine. I received her in 1968, right after I was born. She looks worn out today, but is so special to me.
The devil intended to use family dysfunction/divorce as evil in all future generations of my family. The Lord has broken the cycle with me (unfortunately, my siblings have different stories). I am overwhelmed at what He has done. I am beyond thankful that my children do not have to carry that baggage that I used to carry. All glory to Him!
Thank you Tracie for using your doll as a powerful visual to bring home this wonderful truth.
For us the birth of a son with Down Syndrome has been the biggest trial that we have had to trust God through. He is 24 now and through his life I have been changed for the better. We are a ministry couple as well so that means we move occasionally to serve in a different church. So I always have to trust God to provide people and services for him so that he has all he needs. God has been faithful and his life is rich with caring people and opportunities to work and be involved in the community everyday! We get to witness unexpected kindness and generosity from strangers – which changes us and encourages us as parents. Our other sons are also better for having such a brother. God has used our eldest to spearhead dental care for special needs people at his university and to present this need at a a Canada wide dental conference! We praise God for that!!
When I was praying for God to please, please heal our son I can just hear Hm answering, ‘It’s alright Rita. I’m in this with you. I’ve got great plans, more than you can ever imagine. Hold my hand, trust me and watch what I will do’.
Thank you
Years ago I suffered some injuries that resulted in chronic pain and migraines. Ultimately I had to stop working due to the pain. This was difficult to accept as I had spent many years in school and worked round the clock to pursue my lifelong dream of a career in medicine. However, being forced to give up this career has given me the chance to focus on my wonderful children. Driven as I was, I missed out on a lot of their young lives. Now, despite the sometimes debilitating pain, I thank God for the way He has used my life’s path to bring me closer to my children and allow me to be so much more involved and invested in their lives.
I have struggled greatly with anxiety and depression for many years, starting with my turbulent adolescence. God has showed me that I need to encourage others with similar difficulties by teaching them to lean on Him and trust in Him. He continues to reveal this to me by reading His word and in prayer.
God has used the past struggles in my marriage to grow us stronger as a couple and more importantly closer to Him as we learned to lean on Him through the struggles : )
Love your reminder that God is my beholder and I am beautiful in His eyes. Your doll story was so special to me. Several years ago, as my sister and I were going through our mom’s house after she passed away, I found a doll from my childhood (Polly). Her hair looked like it had gone through a blender, one side of her face was caved in, and her dress was in tatters. My sons thought she was a bit creepy, but she was precious to me in spite of her flaws & damage. I never thought of seeing myself in God’s eyes in the same way. Thanks for the analogy.
For so many years I let what others said or what I would think they thought of me, define who I was, my identity. So my self-worth and value came from the world even though I knew God’s word. I hid my feelings, my thoughts; I was afraid to step out and be obedient to God’s opportunities. God finally pressed gently but firmly and pushed me out of my comfort zone, making me face who I thought I was…a person full of insecurities, low self-worth, feelings of inadequacies…But, He impressed upon me, these were all lies from satan and I needed to get off the fence and start believing what His word said about me. I was either for Him or against Him. Pushing me out of my comfort zone meant placing me into leading a group of women in a bible study that forced me to face the insecurities, self-esteem issues, inadequacy feelings and knock them down one by one with His truths. Today, I feel the peace, freedom, liberation that I have always wanted. Am I totally God-confident: No, but I do know that when I am obedient and surrendered to Him, clinging to Him and making my life all about Him and not me, He WILL use me even with all the mess ups, mistakes, disobedient attitudes. God forgives and He loves us. We MUST claim His promises and truths and fight satan’s lies; it’s a daily dying to self.
Great video and post.
God used my parents divorce to strengthen me and prepare me in my marriage and in motherhood.
As always , I believe your words today are God inspired. What an excellent reminder.
The minute you started describing your doll, I knew immediately what you were talking about. After church today, I want to go to my mother’s house and find my Chrissy doll. I can use her as a visual reminder of how much God loves me.
I desperately needed this message today. I have been very depressed lately, and wish I could have a “do-over” for my life. It is so hard to live joyfully when you feel the world looks at you like Chuckie, instead of Chrissy. Thank you so much for the encouragement. I look forward to reading your book.
P.S. I believe, I remember we were told to use baby oil to help get Chrissy’s tangles out. 🙂
Tracie, I am probably too late to win a copy of your book, but I am confident that this is meant for my daughter. Her self-esteem has hit rock bottom. I guess that my telling her how loved she is by God, the gift of the Father through His Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus is not enough. She needs to seek Him with all her own heart, soul, mind and strength and she will find Him and pray to Him and He will hear and answer her! I am a living example of God loving me in my weakness and sinfulness and raising me up to be who I am today! Praise God! I will also read your book, but feel the nudging of God to get a copy in her hands. Thank you Tracie for your inspiration and encouragement! God bless!
God used the ending of my marriage to change me from the inside out. I used to hurt so deeply and ask “why!?” all the time. But now that a little time has passed He has truly opened my eyes and heart. All that pain and hurt really took me on a journey to find Him and His Truth for my life. Looking back now I KNOW I could not have gotten to where I am now in my faith and in my walk with Him from where I was then. That part of my life really had to fall away to open up the path for me to seek Jesus and all that he offers those who belong to him.
I had a Baby Chrissie, too! Actually, yours looks far better than mine ended up…
Your video was so fun and yet made such a valuable point. God worked through your message today to remind me how He sees me.
God has used my past to draw me closer to Him. There has been many times I had only Him to help me through every tough circumstances, physically and emotionally abused for many years by my husband and really hard financial issues, plus health issues. If not for the Lord and His help I would have given up years ago. Praise the Lord.
Beautiful God-glorifying video. Thank you Tracie for that message. The Lord has been telling me to share my story more, as I have opened up more in the last few years, I’ve learned that God can and will use the most darkest times in my life for good when I share how He has redeemed me. In 2002 I wasn’t really following Christ or trusting in God’s promises, and one way I disobeyed was dating a non-Christian, sexual sin, and “getting breast implants”. About a year later (fall of 2003) I came back to the Lord, began to spend time in His Word and prayer each morning. Right away I couldn’t wait to get my breast implants removed, AND obeyed the Lord by not dating anyone. Also freed me from all lustful thoughts. Praise God! Getting my breast implants removed was one of the best days of my life!! The more I began to fall in love with Jesus, God’s Word, and trust and truly Obey Him, the more He blessed me. Glory to God! I was so deep in lies about body image and lies about lust and just insecurity over all (not trusting God to give me a husband). After He (the Lord) became my Husband and everything I desired and more, I was blessed with a husband who is godly, super loving, a worship leader, and a beautiful songwriter. I don’t want to change anything about by body~ I don’t even pluck my grey hair anymore, because I love natural beauty so much, and I believe that our grey hair is our “crown of glory”. 🙂 I believe God’s Word that when he creates a woman she is “perfect in every part” and “wonderfully made”. Praise God for His deep healing in my life and all the ways He has healed and freed and continues to free us all.
Here’s my current struggle: Picking dead skin around my fingernails and my lips. I’m still transforming and always will be, until I get to heaven or when Jesus comes back. 🙂
I don’t have face book because its not right for me…but thanks for the party invite anyway and have a great book release