I think one fear that dictates so much of our actions and responses is this feeling of being left out.
Just think about it. We dress a certain way to fit in with the popular kids. We act a certain way to get attention. We speak a certain way to gain more friends. We wear ourselves out constantly performing for others so that they will like us and invite us to be a part of who they are. Why? Because inside all of us there is this fear of being left out. Because the fear of being left out boils down to the fear of being alone. And no one wants to be alone. Maybe that's why rejection hurts so badly. Maybe that's why a friend's betrayal cuts too deep or a parent's absence wounds a little too much. Maybe that's why your heart burns a little when your friends all go to an event together and leave you out entirely. Maybe that's why your feelings are bruised when your friends ignore you in conversations. Because being alone and left out hurts like crazy. And being alone makes you feel forgotten. Maybe, just maybe, that's the hidden fear behind it all. The hidden fear behind your eyes when you are afraid that if you do not measure up, everyone will leave you alone. The hidden fear that when your friends start having conversations without you, you will be left out. Because we're afraid of being forgotten. When the people in our lives can seemingly go on, leaving us and our hurts, out of the equation, we feel hopelessly forgotten and alone. That feeling you got in the youth group when all the girls whispered behind your backs and left you out of the group, is now a hidden wound in your heart that yells "danger!" anytime someone else begins to ignore you. But are you ready for some truth to rain into your Saturday evening tonight? Because there is a truth so great that it can absolutely shatter to pieces this fear of being alone, this lie of being forgotten. "Can a woman forget her nursing child, and not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely, they may forget, yet I will not forget you." (Isaiah 49:15, emphasis mine) Do you see the truth here, sweet reader? As seemingly impossible as it may be for a mother to forget their child whom they gave birth to, this verse says that surely they may forget. But Jesus is leaning in close and whispering to the wounded places of your heart and soul... I will not forget you. He promises to never forget you and here is His promise that He gives right after in verse 16, so you can be sure... "See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; your walls are continually before Me." He says that He has inscribed us, inscribed your very name, on the palm of His hand! How can you not trust and believe in His promise that He will never forget you? He has given you a sign. So this, my friend, is my encouragement to you next time those hurtful feelings of being left out resurface in your memory. Though your friends may leave you out. Though your family may forget you. He never will. Not for a moment. Not ever. You are wholly known and wholly loved by Him. His presence is always with you, so you are never alone. His thoughts are always about you, so you are never forgotten. And He always extends His hand to you to be with Him, so you are never left out. Lift your head up, dear one. You are remembered. ♥
Bella Morganthal
1/31/2017 02:51:59 pm
Thank you, dear :) <3
Bella Morganthal
1/31/2017 02:52:25 pm
Thanks, Grace! So glad to hear that :)
Olivia Bell
1/29/2017 09:03:34 pm
This really spoke to me today, because I have been struggling with this with certain friends (certainly not you!), and this was encouraging and so great! Thanks so much for this, Bella! :D
Bella Morganthal
1/31/2017 02:53:59 pm
Aw, thanks Livy! So glad it was encouraging to you! <3 love and hugs to YOU!
Courtney
1/31/2017 08:03:25 pm
Satan attacks me with this lie so often...thank you for speaking the truth. <3
Bella Morganthal
1/31/2017 08:14:25 pm
Thank you for commenting, dear <3
Bella Morganthal
2/3/2017 06:27:50 pm
Thank you, sweet Anna! <3 Comments are closed.
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