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The Hard Truth About How God Feels About You

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Women of Courage: a Forty-Day Devotional
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Can You See What I See?

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The Truth Will Set You Free

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In God’s Heart I Am…Accepted

by in:Book Club

Listen to Jennifer from You Are My Girls share her answer to “In God’s Heart I Am…?” in this video.

{subscribers click here if you can’t see the video}

It’s easy for me to believe God loves me. I can understand He has forgiven me. But making the leap to believing He has truly accepted me is another story.

Perhaps that’s because we experience so little true acceptance with each other. The preacher talks about grace but gives us a list of rules to follow. Friends promise to always be there for us, only to turn their backs when we don’t meet their expectations. Families boast of unconditional love but withdraw it when we choose a different path. So like Adam and Eve in the Garden, we hide from ourselves, each other, and God.

In Beyond the Masquerade: Unveiling the Authentic You, Dr. Julianna Slattery says, “Facing others without covering my psychological blemishes is actually more terrifying than going out into the world without a shower or makeup. Far more offensive than body odor are my fears, malicious thoughts, insecurities, shame, and pride.”

While we strive to make ourselves acceptable, we also secretly long for someone to catch a glimpse of our true selves and exclaim, “You can stop hiding now—I really do love you just as you are!”

Yet there is someone who speaks this way to our hearts every day. When Christ went to the cross, He made it possible for us to stop hiding. All of our sin, shame, and guilt have been erased. The Lord constantly looks at us with eyes of love. His scars bring healing and even beauty to our own.

Will there be times when the Lord still reveals areas in our lives that need to change? Yes, of course. But His conviction is about what we do, not about who we are. Real friends tell you when you have something in your teeth. They love you enough to speak the truth, and Jesus is our most faithful friend of all. He sees deep within our hearts and tells us when something is stuck there that doesn’t belong. His correction always comes from a place of grace and not condemnation.

When we open our hearts and let God speak to us, we discover we’re truly known and loved in a way we never thought possible. The acceptance we long for is already ours if only we’ll dare to embrace it.

Hey you,

the one wondering if you’re enough,

if you’d be loved if anyone really knew you—

turn your heart this way for a moment,

then lean in and listen close…

Acceptance?

You’ve got it.

You don’t have to look any further

than the hands of the One who made you,

the heart of the One who loves you.

You’re welcomed, held,

cherished just as you are

and encouraged to grow

into all you’ll become.

So hold your heart and head high;

look the world in the eyes and say…

“I’m His. I’m loved.

I’m already accepted today.”

–excerpt from God’s Heart for You, Embracing Your True Worth as a Woman by Holley Gerth {available as a book or ebook}

Holley Gerth, www.InGodsHeart.com

Holley Gerth is a bestselling author who loves encouraging the hearts of women through words. She does so through books like You're Already Amazing and Fiercehearted. Holley is a beloved daughter of God, wife to Mark, Mama to Lovelle, and Nana to Ellie. She'd love to have coffee with you...
Author Bio       Author Website

Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. This devotion touched my heart so much! Thanks for sharing =]. Have A Blessed Day! Love – Stacey ヾ(＠⌒ー⌒＠)ノ

  4. This has been such an encouraging set of messages! Passing it on to many friends. Thanks for being such a blessing!

  8. This was so encouraging! Made tears come to my eyes and I felt the kindness and sincerity come through her words like a gentle breeze.

    Thank you so much for this.

  11. Thnx for your encouragement! Love to read your blog because it makes me feel special! I’am loved by our heav’nly father that’s THE most important thing to remember every day! Over and over!!!

  12. What a wonderful message! (As always!) Also, thank you for sharing Jennifer’s video with us. I haven’t seen her blog yet, but I am about click on over and check it out! 🙂

  13. The title of this devotion brings to mind the verse that says. “Now I know in part then I shall know fully even as I am fully known.” God knows me fully, I don’t have to put up a brave front for Him, He already knows me fully!!!!! yeah!!!!!!!!

  20. Praise God for you, Holley, and all these precious sisters in Christ.

    I really appreciate what you shared from Beyond the Masquerade: Unveiling the Authentic You, Dr. Julianna Slattery. Wow! Those things listed as offensive are
    things displeasing and dishonoring to my Father God! I want to honor Him for
    all He is and all He does and I want others to know Him and His great and deep
    love! Thank God for His unconditional love and acceptance. May we have that
    more and more for each other.

    Thank you for sharing this devo.

  22. Thank You, Holly You will never now how much You have helped me ,to understand.
    Praise God.

  23. I love this post…so lovely. Just makes me say, “ahhhhh” in my heart. I feel peace and rest meditating on God’s acceptance of me…thank you sweet Holley! You are beautiful!

  25. I loved how Jennifer shared that our identity is in Him! I finally got that 5 years ago and Holley’s book is going to be such a blessing!

  26. Holley, I can never get enough of this. His truth is my air. I am so grateful for how He pursues us, all from His all-encompassing love. Thank you so much for your beautiful words — and for this opportunity to partner with you today. In His love, Jennifer

  29. After being a Christian for many years and for the last few really going through one after the other trials, I was introduced to Holley through a friend. So refreshing, after feeling from most people I’m surrounded by that I don’t have enough faith, I must not love God enough and on and on, (the lies). I’m reminded when I first came to know Jesus, how scared I was of knowing God as my Father since my earthly father was never a father to me and I didn’t know what it felt like to have a Father. I remember Him showing me all the time, in my mind and heart a picture of me sitting in His lap and me feeling like His “little girl”, (true story)!!! And right now going through probably THE hardest time in my life I come across all of this. So sweet, so calming and mostly So Loving! Thank you Holley, I have no doubt that God sent you to me at the exact moment I needed and to hear what He wanted me to hear. ♥

  36. Thank you for the wonderful reminder of His complete acceptance. So easy to forget when faced with the fickle acceptance of friends and family.

  37. What an awesome week of touching messages! Thank you, Holley, for touching our hearts and sharing God’s Word. 🙂

  38. I, too, have read Captivating – and actually pick it up again and again when I need to be reminded of how much I am truly loved and accepted. It’s a beautiful thing when you finally realize it. Oh, I still have those days where I let the doubt slip in – but in the end, I still know that I know that I know – I AM beautiful, loved, and my King is enthralled by my beauty.

  39. I am absolutely amazed, blessed, touched, and abundantly grateful, that “I” am God’s Girl, that He loves ME, that He WANTED me, that He FORGAVE me, that He will NEVER EVER leave me nor forsake me, that He will never lie to me, that He will work His perfect will in my life and those of my children!!! I love Him because of who He is; He loves me just as I am, and only improves me with His word, correction, mercy, love, and forgiveness!!! He IS Lord!!!!!!

  44. The challenge to authenticity is huge. I certainly kid myself that I am open and honest – and, often, I am. But there are always those relationships where I find myself hiding parts of me away, fearful of being hurt. This post is a great challenge to continue opening my heart to GOD and letting him change me, regardless of what others might think, do or say.

  45. I so look forward to each post from you! it lifts my spirits each time and I share many with my friends as appropriate. They are always glad I did and each has gone to the friend on the desparately needed day, just as they come to me at the perfect time.

    God is so good! Even if he had not saved me from Stage 3 Brain Cancer 12 years ago, He would still be good! What a protecter, shield, and rock He is!! It’s a joy to share Him with others and I thank you for helping me do that in a different way than I do normally. You inspire me! Thank you and God bless you for sharing His love with us.

  46. Holley, you couldn’t have written a book more needed by woman today! I give God thanks for the day I found you and your writings.

  48. What a beautiful message. I have just discovered this tonight. I can now sleep peacefully. Thank you.

  49. It’s so incredible to read that someone has believed that God loves us, saved us…but may not accept us.
    I’ve always felt that way and been made to feel ashamed when I’ve shared it, in my blood family or my church family. I’m thrilled not everyone knows this pain & doubt…but I’m relieved, someone else does.
    This burden isn’t magically gone, but I see a flicker of hope.
    Thank-you