My first post.

God defines you. Not anyone else. It has taken me 36 years to learn this and I feel like I am still learning. I have in my past let everyone other than God define me. I have put all my trust and faith in a man to tell me who I was. Whether I was worthy or not. Whether I was a good person or not. Even if I was pretty or not. I counted on the praise from that person to lift me up or to keep my spirits going. Not knowing the whole time that God already knew me. I took criticism to heart. I held it there. I reminded myself of it daily and told myself that I was what they told me. I took the words and the actions towards me as a rule book of how I should act. If I was mistreated, well...I should be a mistreated person. I didn't smile. It hurt. I didn't want to show happiness when my heart was so broken. I wanted to be loved, not knowing the whole time how MUCH God loved me. How much he knew I was hurting and wanted me to cry out to Him. But I didn't. I looked to a man. I looked to a man to tell me I was loved or not. Some days were better than others. Some had hope but most were sad. Some days I don't even remember, they passed me by without a memory. Just sadness. That's all I felt. I still have days of sadness. But when I'm sad, I look and CRY to God. He brings me joy! He is my breath. He keeps me breathing. I know the plans for you declares the Lord, not to harm but to prosper. These are God's word and I cling to them. For I know that he sees me as a queen. Crowned in His beauty. That He smiles at my laughter, brings me joy. That He weeps with me when I cry, brings me comfort. Christ is my friend. What greater friend to have than one who would DIE for you?!! What defines me? God does. Not a man. Not how I am treated. Not my past. Not my trials. Not others. Only God. Thank you Lord for being my friend and loving me unconditionally. My inspiring scripture today: The spirit of God has made me; The breath of the Almighty gives me life. Job 33:44