A couple weeks ago, I worked on a project with a new friend. My responsibilities weren’t as simple as I thought they’d be, and I found myself wondering if I was the right person for the job. I felt uncertain and nervous, anxious to prove myself and do a good job but unsure exactly how to make that happen. Midway through the project, I talked with my friend briefly and she said, “You. Are. Awesome! You’re doing great work! Keep it up! Thank you so much!”
She couldn’t have been more encouraging, and I was so thankful. Her faith in me gave me the boost I needed to keep plugging along and finish the difficult project well. What’s more is that her appreciation and kind words helped me later frame the entire experience as a good one, rather than finish feeling defeated and disappointed.
Don’t laugh, but I even saved the text message my friend sent me. It read, “You? Are Amazing,” and when my phone informed me that my inbox was overflowing, I couldn’t bring myself to get rid of that little love note.
We could all use a little more encouragement in our lives, couldn’t we?
If you’ve ever met me, you won’t be surprised to learn that I was quite a dramatic teenager. I can still hear my mom’s voice from those tumultuous years, saying, “Life’s not fair, baby,” and “The world does not revolve around you.” Though I’m not [quite] as emotional and selfish as I was back then, my ears still ring with those statements that, as I’ve gotten older, have proven to be so true. This world is not on my side, and sometimes it’s just downright unfair.
So it’s easy enough to find disheartening messages. Look around or listen for just a minute, and you’ll see and hear criticisms and comparisons that leave us discouraged and feeling less-than and not-as-good-as. That’s why it’s so important to surround ourselves with messages of hope and love and plain old encouragement.
Holley Gerth’s new book, You’re Already Amazing and coordinating product line, offers that kind of encouragement. In the sweet voice of a friend who knows you – and loves you – well, Holley helps you understand and embrace the truth that as a woman, you do not need to do more, be more, and have more – because you are already amazing just the way God created you to be.
After reading those words, I felt like I needed to read them over and over again, just to remind myself of these beautiful truths I so easily forget. Just like pulling out my phone and reading that text message again, surrounding myself with the words and images from the You’re Already Amazing line is good for my heart.
Surely I’m not the only one who forgets how amazing she is, right? Do you need to be reminded that you, too, are truly and simply amazing – so amazing that God loves you just the way you are, right here, right now?
Let me remind you: You are already amazing. You are wonderfully made. You are perfectly loved.
Do you surround yourself with encouraging words? What helps you remember that you are already amazing?
PS– Did you see that You’re Already Amazing is the the next Bloom study pick! Tune in here for details!
Lisa says
Thanks! I’d like to think I’m amazing. 😉 I’m just kidding. I wish I had that self confidence, but it is always nice to have these reminders. I am looking forward to reading the book.
Mary @ Giving Up on Perfect says
It’s hard to remember. But God made you and He loves you . . . therefore, you are amazing! (And me, too. I need these reminders, too!)
~VA~ says
I love this! I really struggle with self-esteem so much sometimes because I have social anxiety but I am working on overcoming it, but I feel like I’m not doing good enough, that I’m not trying hard enough, that I should be better at things by now, that my counselor must be disappointed in me because I can’t seem to get things quite right the first time…or the second time…or…
As I was thinking these things a few days ago though, God gave me such an encouragement: The people you are failing to emulate have been learning for around 20 to 30 years how to interact socially with people–you’ve essentially started not even a year ago, and not only that you’re too old to really get away with testing out everything that comes into your mind and rambling about what you ate for breakfast like a toddler learning to read social cues and participate in conversation for the first time, of course you aren’t quite reaching those levels yet, but you’re trying and that’s what counts.
Mary @ Giving Up on Perfect says
~VA~ that’s a great point! I heard someone say last week, “Never compare your beginning to someone else’s middle.” And we’re not kidding when we say here…you ARE amazing.
Alli Worthington says
You? Really Are Amazing.
I love this so much! <3
Mary @ Giving Up on Perfect says
Awww. Right back atcha! 🙂
Marina Bromley (Marina's Kitchen Table) says
I have a few sayings around my house that I keep in my heart. My favorite:
“A happy marriage is the union of 2 good forgivers.”
It hangs on a wall with photos of my kids (the girls on their wedding days, and Mark and I on ours), and our son with our dog (when he gets married I’ll add their wedding photos too!)
I also remember that God created me. I’m open to Him changing me, and expect me to grow and change over time in my relationship with Him.
That’s. Stinkin’. Awesome.
I love that He knows me, made me, and can change me. YAY!
Mary Carver says
I love that saying about a happy marriage. I need to print that out for my house!
Sheila says
I just started reading the book You’re Already Amazing,it sounds like a wonderful book. I have always had a difficult time believing I am amazing,my self esteem is not very good,when I was married years ago I was verbally abused,my self esteem was never the greatest,and after that period in my life it was destroyed. I am a work in progress,becoming involved in bible studies at my church and trying to be active in our womens groups,its not easy,but God is giving the strength to overcome some of my insecurities. God is in control so I know at some point it will all be better. Iam so blessed I have my daughter who is married to a wonderful man,they have four children,and my son is married to a wonderful girl and they have twin sons,my blessings are many. I had requested a free book for this study since Iam on a fixed income since Iam on disability,Iam so thankful that God did provde me with a free book,I was so excited!!! God Bless All of You!!!