Feb 28, 2026 – Self-esteem
JC – “Stop judging and evaluating yourself, for this is not your role.” Easier said than done; but, I’m listening. “This produces feelings of pride or inferiority; sometimes, a mixture of both. I lead each of My children along a path that is uniquely tailor-made for him or her…. Don’t look for affirmation in the wrong places…. Be receptive to My affirmation, which flows continually from the throne of grace.”
Utmost – Chambers hits a bit of a nerve when he writes, “The soul has got out of intimate contact with God by leaning to its own religious understanding.” I do wonder if this interest in going back to work comes from God’s leading or from my own desires – to contribute, to have some measured “worth.” I promise I’m not having a self-esteem problem. I’m grateful for God’s provisions throughout my life and I do think I’ve contributed in meaningful ways. I just want to make sure I’m doing my fair share. Chambers reassures me (and anyone else with a little self-doubt about a decision and/or direction), “There is no sin in it, and no punishment attached to it; but when the soul realizes how he has hindered his understanding of Jesus Christ… it is with shame and contrition he has to come back. We need to rely on the resurrection life of Jesus much deeper down, to get into the habit of steadily referring everything back to Him; instead of this we make our commonsense decisions and ask God to bless them.” I think I’ve asked this before, but how do we know when it’s Your voice and when it’s ours? Chambers offers, “When we do anything from a sense of duty, we can back it up by argument; when we do anything in obedience to the Lord, there is no argument possible….”
Power – Proverbs 16:32 – “He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, he who rules his [own] spirit than he who takes a city.” Joyce reminds us that, “God gave us self-control (see Galations 5:23) to monitor our mouths, thoughts, passions, emotions, and tempers, yet many people don’t know that controlling their emotions is an option.” I guess sometimes our doubts stem from our emotions. I’m so glad that God is patient with us as we so often ask about the same things; but, at some point, we need to get a clue and walk in confidence about what He’s trying to tell and teach us.
Prevail #59 – 1 Samuel 15:17 – “And Samuel told him, ‘Although you may think little of yourself, are you not the leader of the tribes of Israel? The Lord has anointed you king of Israel.” The Lord has anointed us kings of wherever we find ourselves in our lives to help, minister to, and enjoy those in our sphere (and the work He has given us to do) no matter how close or far-reaching it is. Larson explains that, “Saul had a clear call on his life. God confirmed it again and again. Yet Saul was bent on doing things his own way. Then he made excuses, blamed others, and even spiritualized his disobedience in order to justify his actions…. Learn from Saul’s losses. Ask God to help you see yourself the way He sees you!”
Larson seems to have written these next words just for me in this moment, “When you’re tempted to squander your time or doubt your worth, picture the prophet Samuel grabbing you by the shoulders, looking deep in your eyes, and imploring you, ‘Are you not absolutely beloved and called by God? Have you forgotten who you are? The Lord has anointed and appointed you!’” If you’re in the shallows of doubt, like me, do you (again, like me) hear Him calling to you to come to the deep and trust Him? Larson points out that, “Saul never fully grasped what God would have accomplished through him, if he’d dared to trust Him.”
Max gives us a good visual of trusting God in everything as he asks, “Have you ever left an appliance at the repair shop? …and then offered to stay and help him fix it…. God does not need our help, counsel, or assistance…. When he is ready for us to reengage, he will let us know.”
JA – Young’s devotion offers us these final thoughts for the day, “YOU ARE NO STRANGER TO ME, dear one…. I delight in transforming you more and more into the one I created you to be…. I understand that you are human and your attention span is limited…. So trust Me to guide you through your life, and afterward take you into Glory.” See Jeremiah 1:5, Psalm 139:16, and Psalm 73:23-24.
