YOU ARE NOT YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES.

photos credit: the amazing amy!

This post may end up more like a pep talk, but if you're anything like me, it's a pep talk you not only need to read, but believe. 

YOU ARE NOT YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES. And if you have a hard time believing or even comprehending this truth, then replace circumstances with your present season, trial, pain, or heartache.

For me, that looks like: You are not your singleness. You are not your anxiety. You are not your insecurities. You are not your fears. You are not your doubts. And you are not your sins and shame.

These are all things that are a part of you, but they are not the sum of who you are.

The do not define you.

They do not give you worth.

They do not get to rob you of joy.

They do not get to dictate how you live your life.

They do not belong on the throne, God does.

These are honestly just a few of the things I have to whisper to myself daily because all too often, I allow my sins, my idols, my doubts, my fears, and my present circumstances tell me how to live.

Anxiety tells me to make a list of all the worst case scenarios and then believe that because they're possibilities, they will surely come true. Singleness tells me to believe loneliness has a permanent place in my life and that I'm not wife-material. My idols tell me that they're more important than God is. Fear tells me that everything is scary and it's safer to avoid the possibility of failure or rejection and just say no. My insecurities tell me I'm worthless. My doubts tell me that God isn't faithful. And my shame tells me that I'll never be free from sin.

And I know that these lies need to be replaced with truths. Because even though these present circumstances, this current season, these trials and tribulations seem like they'll last for eternity, chances are, they're only temporary. And even if they do last longer than expected, they're not the end all for your life.

There is hope. There is life, right here, right now. There is joy, waiting for you to find it. And there is a God who loves you, who cheers for you, who wants to lead you, who forgives you, who pursues you, and who longs to hear your voice call out to Him.

Tell anxiety that it doesn't have a place in your life. Tell singleness that you don't need a boy to complete you. Tell your idols that you've got a God in your life that's bigger and greater and more perfect than anything here on earth. Tell fear that trying new things is good for you. Tell your insecurities that your imperfections make you human. Tell your doubts that God IS faithful and He WILL always come through with His promises. Tell your shame that you are loved, you are wanted, and you are free.

Tell yourself these things because they are TRUE and they are YOU.