Annie F. Downs quotes Psalm 139 for today’s devotion where she reminds us we are fearfully and wonderfully made. She continues, ‘I believe in the me God made and in the me God can make. I believe He made me on purpose and didn’t make any mistakes when it came to my creation. That makes me feel brave. And that is the place where I find my courage—knowing that while I am making mistakes, I am not a mistake. That is where you can find your courage too.’
I make mistakes. Sometimes it’s when I tried my best but I just didn’t quite make it. More often, it’s because I’m self-centred and act out of the bits of me I’d rather keep hidden so you can’t see. I’m harsh with my children. I’m argumentative with call centre people. I want things my way. And I don’t want to have to negotiate or compromise to have them my way, I don’t even want to tell you what my way is, I just want it my way. When I behave at my worst I genuinely dislike myself. I feel shame that feels like it will suffocate me. I can’t ever imagine feeling peace or joy again.
I have to be brave to forgive myself. I have to be brave to humble myself and ask for forgiveness from the ones I’ve treated poorly. I have to be brave not to act like a victim when really I’m part (or whole) perpetrator.
It’s at those times I need more than ever to remember that God made me and nothing I do surprises him. It’s at those times I need to remember that God still loves me.
Downs continues, ‘I know my tendencies and fears, and I also know my gifts and hopes. It’s where those meet that I often find God cheering for me to make the brave choice. We can be confident in how God made us because His Word says we are fearfully and wonderfully made. But we can’t do this life—or be brave—on our own.’
We can’t do this on our own. We need to use God’s definition of who we are, not our own. We need to use God’s measure of grace to forgive ourselves, not our own. We need to use His strength to get up and keep going.
Downs asks us to remind someone that God doesn’t make mistakes. I’m sure we all know people who need to hear that. Let’s also really take that to heart for ourselves, not just on our good days but also at our worst moments. Let’s be brave to stand up to ourselves and tell her what we believe. We are fearfully and wonderfully made.
Mistakes in your eyes or my eyes may not be mistakes in Gods eyes. There is a plan. There is a pathway. And we learn from each footstep and become more courageous. This includes “mistakes” (in whatever sense that is) too.
I understand what you mean. I know that God will use all things (even my mistakes) for my good because I love him and am called by him. I am also sure that God doesn’t actually want me yelling at my kids lol. But he always forgives me, and those times aren’t a surprise to him. I don’t need to hide from Him when I screw up because he always extends me grace. Thank you for reminding me we can learn from each step. Friends who also extend grace to me are so good. Love Tifainé.
Not really related to the mistake part of the study, but the verse was timely for me-I know of 3 people going through some significant medical needs at this time so when I read that verse, I thought of the body being fearfully and wonderfully made and how the body can heal itself. Praying that these people will come through their crisis right now
So glad that verse helped you today and led you to pray again for your friends. Joining with you in that too. Love Tifainé
Day 8 brought me back around to the idea of feeling broken. I wrote in my journal that God created me with this disorder, so it can’t be a mistake. It can’t make me broken. Brokenness is an emotion that can be experienced, and it can be used by God to help us to grow, but it doesn’t define us. What we feel isn’t who we are.
I make mistakes. I feel brokenness at times. I am not broken. I am not a mistake.