Tag: Daily Devotional

Through the Looking Glass

Do you stare at yourself in the mirror and wonder what’s missing?

The next time you look in the mirror, I hope you can remember, this isn’t the whole of who you are.

When you examine your reflection, wondering what could be better, wishing to be someone else, remember that you are only getting a snapshot of who you are.

Staring at old photographs, pondering old dreams, searching for something more, may you know that you were created for more, but you don’t have to become more than who you are in order to fulfill your purpose.

The mirror can lie. The mirror can boast. The mirror can tell us all sorts of things. But there is one thing the mirror cannot tell us.

It can’t tell us who we are inside.

We don’t have to be controlled by a mere reflection. A reflection that changes each day, curving and bending with each new angle or shard of glass. A reflection that isn’t at all who we were made to reflect.

We were made to reflect the One who loves perfectly, who loves us perfectly in fact. We were made to shine the light of our Savior, our Maker, our Helper.

We are made for greater things than worrying about our image. We are made for so much more than this meaningless swirl of doubts.

You, yes you, are here for a reason. So step back from the mirror or the photo or whatever is causing you to feel unworthy.

Open your love letter from God, reach out to the people who love you no matter what, and help where you are needed. There will always be a place for you. You will always be beautiful to God and to others who see you for everything you are. Nothing can ever change your purpose. Nothing. ❤

For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

1 Corinthians 13:12

To the Person Longing to Let Go of Resentment

Are you struggling with bitterness towards a person you used to love?

Dear Seeker of Peace,

Seeing their picture, watching from afar–or perhaps even up-close–and all you can feel is the deep seeded urge to find fault in them. Everything inside you churns with feelings that eat you from the inside–and now it shows.

You long for peace with yourself. They are the ones who hurt you, right? Yet somehow, your resentment feels much worse than what they did. It’s turning you into someone you don’t recognize anymore.

But what you feel isn’t hate–it’s lost love. Perhaps one-side, rejected love. Perhaps lonely, empty, disappointed love. Perhaps love that started off so strong, but fizzled or exploded and lays burnt, like your frayed expectations.

You never wanted to feel this way. Your love started off so beautiful, perhaps even reflective of the love Jesus extends for us to share. But now, it is broken. The only thing you feel is pain.

It’s pain and not hate because deep down inside, you still care very much. Somehow, seeing their name pop up in your notifications still brings a smile to your face. But even your smile feels broken. Used. Betrayed.

It’s okay to hurt.

It’s okay to cry.

It’s even okay to be upset.

But don’t let their mistake or insensitivity destroy who you are and who you are meant to be. It isn’t your fault that they hurt you, but it’s your choice to let it break you.

You are stronger than this. Strength doesn’t come in ignoring feelings; it comes from not letting those feelings control you.

We weren’t made to be bitter. We weren’t made to be vengeful. And we certainly weren’t made to hate–or whatever this is.

But we also weren’t made for seeking love from the wrong people. There is only one person who can satisfy this deep desire and make you whole again: Jesus.

His love will follow you all the days of your life and never leave you nor forsake you.

You will always be precious in His eyes.

Love,

Hannah

My flesh and my heart may fail,

But God is the strength of my heart

and my portion forever.

Psalm 73:26

Seeking a Special Day

Here’s a reminder that you can have hope for a better future.

I still remember 12/12/12 day. I was only in 5th grade at the time and we all were out for recess when the clock struck 12:12. Everyone ran around, shouting and excited for this simple reason. It was such a strangely special day, one that I realized could only happen once a century. And for some reason, that greatly bothered 10-year-old me.

Sometimes we feel like we have to hold onto special days or certain times of life that feel easier or just “better”. We bitterly lament how we will never experience such a wonderful season again.

But then it happens, a rare, special day that we never could’ve imagined. It pops up out of the blue, something we never could’ve prepared for, yet a wonderful gift indeed. Only if we keep our eyes open to the possibility of hope, that is, or else these gifts will pass us by.

Today is 2/22/22 day. Sure, 12/12/12 day may never come again, but that doesn’t mean we’ll never have a reason to celebrate a seemingly random day of the year! 10-year-old me shouldn’t have worried so much about it.

What if today you allow yourself to believe that there is a day–no, many days–in your future to look forward to? Sure, there will be hard days, days that make you feel empty and insignificant. But when you’re holding onto the hope that today might surprise you, then you can keep moving forward.

A special day will come, but until then, I hope you can at least be reminded of how special you are, and nothing can ever change that.

In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work. Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

2 Timothy 2:20-22