{"id":16945,"date":"2014-01-15T00:15:20","date_gmt":"2014-01-15T05:15:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/girlfriendscoffeehour.com\/?p=16945"},"modified":"2014-01-17T09:36:30","modified_gmt":"2014-01-17T14:36:30","slug":"chapter-3-swan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/girlfriendscoffeehour.com\/wordpress\/2014\/01\/15\/chapter-3-swan\/","title":{"rendered":"CHRISTLife \u2013 Three: Swan Story"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"1513255_414194085379002_1926593591_n\"<\/a>I have been the swan and I have been the ugly duckling. \u00a0It all depends on the lens that you are looking through. \u00a0When I was in my late teens, I battled an eating disorder…. \u00a0Oh, I knew<\/em> what God said about me—that my body was a temple and I was to honor Him with it. \u00a0But I saw total imperfection. \u00a0I went to counseling and ultimately God and I won the victory (but notice I put Him<\/strong> in the equation!) \u00a0I remember looking in the mirror and seeing one thing; then closing my eyes and praying to see myself the way God did. \u00a0I cried out to the Holy Spirit and asked Him to be my eyes. You know what<\/em>? When I would open them again, I saw God\u2019s<\/strong> creation<\/strong><\/span>—a\u00a0beautiful young woman on fire for His Kingdom. \u00a0Isn\u2019t that what it is all about?<\/p>\n

We know how we see ourselves. \u00a0We have given ourselves many, many names. \u00a0Some not so nice, right? \u00a0So I thought I would find proof of what God thinks of us, or how He defines us in His Word. \u00a0At the end of the chapter, there are many verses to look up and I would like to read them together, okay? \u00a0Then you decide, swan or (ugly) duckling.<\/p>\n

But the godly will flourish like palm trees and grow strong like cedars of Lebanon.
\nFor they are transplanted to the Lord\u2019s own house.
\nThey will flourish in the courts of our God.
\nEven in old age they will still produce fruit, they will remain vital and green.
\nThey will declare, \u201cThe Lord is just! He is my Rock! There is no evil in Him!”
\nPsalms 92:12-15<\/p>\n

Palm trees are known for their long life; so to flourish like a palm tree is to stand tall and to live a long time. \u00a0The cedars of Lebanon are 120 feet in height and 30 feet in circumference! \u00a0So, if we are strong like these, we are solid, unshakable, strong, and immovable! \u00a0God sees us as godly ones, His children who are unmoved by winds of circumstance, because we have Him on our side. \u00a0Our foundation is a God Who never changes and is not shaken by the struggles of this world. \u00a0These struggles only make us more beautiful in His eyes. \u00a0You see, we have won<\/strong> the victory through Jesus!!<\/p>\n

So all of us who have had the veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord.
\nAnd the Lord\u2014Who is the Spirit\u2014makes us more and more like Him
\nas we are changed into His glorious image.
\n2 Corinthians 3:18<\/p>\n

As believers in Jesus, the veil has been removed and we can be like Him! \u00a0How then can you see anything other than beautiful? \u00a0As we read about Him and become close with Him, we see the truth about Jesus and it transforms us. \u00a0And as we learn more about His life and His sufferings and death on our behalf, our knowledge deepens and the Holy Spirit works in us to change us into Christ-like daughters. And so it is that the more closely we follow, the more like Him we will be! \u00a0Now<\/em><\/strong> what do you see in that mirror?<\/p>\n

Dear brothers and sisters, we can\u2019t help but thank God for you,
\nbecause your faith is flourishing and your love for one another is growing.
\n2 Thessalonians 1:3<\/p>\n

Paul always started his letters out by saying what he appreciated about his readers and the joy he felt because of their faith in God and their love for each other. \u00a0He is thanking God for these people! \u00a0As a community of Jesus followers, aren’t we better together? \u00a0Shouldn\u2019t we be uplifting to each other? \u00a0I challenge you to find ways to encourage the women around you. \u00a0We can get so caught up in the comparison game and falling short of our neighbor. \u00a0But God created you<\/strong> to be you<\/em> and to be the most amazing you<\/em> that you can be. \u00a0In His image we are created and we are made to love each other like He loves us. \u00a0How much better the world would be if everyone felt this love? \u00a0We wouldn’t have many insecure women if we followed Paul\u2019s example.<\/p>\n

And last is\u2026<\/p>\n

Rather you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
\nAll glory to Him, both now and forever! Amen.
\n2 Peter 3:18<\/p>\n

This is Peter urging his readers to grow in the grace and the knowledge of Jesus, to get to know Him more and more by walking close to Him. \u00a0No matter where you are in your journey with Jesus—whether you are mature in your faith or just a beginner—the world is sinful and it is always a challenge to our faith. \u00a0There is always room to grow! \u00a0Never be content with where you are. \u00a0Always seek and pray and read His Word. \u00a0You will grow in the grace and knowledge of Him! \u00a0The closer you are to Him, the more strength you have to handle these hard and trying circumstances we will go through. This<\/strong><\/em> is beautiful,<\/strong> my friends!<\/p>\n

Now, answer the question that is asked in this chapter:<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cHow confident are you
\nthat you truly can change, grow,
\nand become more than you now are?\u201d<\/h3>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Let us pray<\/span><\/strong>: \u00a0Dear Jesus, we praise You for Who You are! \u00a0You are never changing, always the same and, in this uncertain world, we cling to You! \u00a0You love us and You created us to be Your followers. \u00a0In Your image we are made and You are perfect. Forgive us for the critical things we say about ourselves and for the constant comparisons we make to each other and to ourselves. \u00a0You never meant for us to be anything other than beautiful, full of grace, always forgiving, loving, God-fearing followers of You. \u00a0Help us to stay in Your Word and to always remember who You say we are. We are a swan in Your eyes; \u00a0help us to see and believe. You are so patient with us always. \u00a0We love You and thank You for always loving us and accepting us. For it is in Your name we pray, amen.<\/p>\n