“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.” – Psalm 118:1, NIV
Sara’s mother was emotionally abusive. When Sara was growing up, her mom would withhold affection and comfort if Sara did something she didn’t like. Sara tried to please her mom but she never received the support and kindness she so desperately longed for.
Sara was left feeling like she had to earn the love of those around her. She spent a lot of her time trying to be good enough. She worked hard on every project to prove herself. She was quick to help others in the hopes that they would like her.
Then one day, she joined a local quilting group. She did it because she had always been interested in various craft. What she found was a group of tight-knit women who poured into her. She began to receive the affection and motherly advice she’d craved for years.
As she allowed herself to bloom, Sara began to understand that God’s love for her wasn’t like her mom’s. God’s love for her was unconditional and unchanging.
His love didn’t depend on her actions or inactions. It wasn’t something that would be taken away if she made a mistake or had a bad day. God’s love was always there for her, no matter what…
God, thank You for loving me unconditionally. Sometimes, I struggle with this concept. Remind me when I’m feeling alone that Your affection doesn’t depend on my actions.
You may be wondering, I have diabetes. What does this have to do with me? The story tells us that Sara worked hard to earn her mother’s love but she never did. You may be struggling to lose weight or to look a certain way to please others, and your efforts may not be paying off. In fact, knocking yourself out to please others can lead to stress, which can lead to diabetes and other illnesses.
Like Sara, you should turn to doing the things that interest you. Do it for yourself, not for others, and you will see your dreams become a reality. And while you’re doing that, remember there is one Person you never have to work to please, and that is God. He loves and accepts you just the way you are. Simply surrender everything to Him–your life, your hopes, your fears– and let Him take control.