Hello there.
Lies are a day-to-day thing I deal with. The funny thing is that they have become worse ever since I have been on this trip. People expect life to be happy go lucky when you are on a mission’s trip, right? You guessed wrong.
Lies like…You will never be enough. You are fat. You are not wanted. You are boring. You will never be pursued. You don’t have what it takes. You are not worthy. Let’s be real…the majority of us deal with insecurities. We rather just hide behind them then deal with them or admit that they are not there. We like to paint the picture of perfection & happiness.
"If God is preparing you to make an impact on this world for His kingdom, chances are He will take you through a season of solitude. This is a season when you learn you can't lean upon anyone but Him for your confidence and when you gain the strength to stand alone even when no one stands with you."
Satan finds pure joy in the lies that He throws at us. Naturally, we believe them. We live in them. Satan thinks he is winning. BUT, I say no. I say that I have a God that is BIGGER…One that has already overcome all of the crap that has a hold on this world.
God has been speaking to me a lot lately about who I am and what I am capable of…
One night at the market…My teammate, Abby, and I saw a leper begging for money. We always seemed to pass him by for no good reason. So we went & sat with him. We started praying over him. All of the Thai people stared and seemed to be in awe. Some smiled…others told us to go home. I kept praying that they would not see us there, instead, see Jesus sitting there with him. The Holy Spirit felt overwhelmingly present in that place.
Something came over me and I wanted to sing over the man. And may I note that I do not sing in public nor do I have the best voice. My teammate and I started singing…”Your love is deep. Your love is high. Your love is long. You love is wide…Deeper than my view of grace. Higher than this worldly place. Longer than this road I’ve traveled. Wider than the gap you’ve filled.” Each time our voices grew louder. It felt so natural. I just had to say, “Yes, I am willing God.” …& He took it from there.
I am only capable through Him. I am only who He created me to be through Him. He is my world. There is no standards to live up to…just simply, to be.
To be me & nothing less.
:: I AM ::
PURSUED
ENOUGH
SATISFIED
BEAUTIFUL
BOLD
COURAGEOUS
A CONQUEROR
REDEEMED
CREATIVE
LOVED
WORTHY
UNIQUE
CONFIDENT
STRONG
EMPOWERED
VULNERABLE
& I believe it.
It’s not simply about knowing your worth. It’s about having the strength to never accept less.
Paul Carrick Brunson
Do not let your fire go out, spark by irreplaceable spark in the hopeless swamps of the not quite, the not yet, and the not at all. Do not let the hero in your soul perish in lonely frustration for the life you deserved and have never been able to reach. The world you desire can be won. It exists. It is real. It is possible. It is yours.
Ayn Rand
God bless
Best,
Andrea
Andrea!
This blog spoke to me so much as I read it! I have been struggling so much these last couple weeks with all of these emotions as well. Especially being on the field and not being in control of my body, my day-to-day living, and everything that comes with missions…
I was literally just talking with NayNay this morning about how much Satan has been pulling me down with my insecurities. Know that your blog has been a God-appointed sign for me to hear him calling me Beloved.
Andrea,
Another well written blog you are a Child Of God.I Love you and am very,very proud of you.Keep on plugging as Satan tries to discourage you.You have grown so much in The Lord these past four months.It is always the height of my day to read one of your blogs.Trust in The Lord with all your heart.
Love and God bless you,
Dad
Dear Andrea,
I was overwhelmed with emotion reading your blog. Like Dad, I love reading your blogs. The depth of your thoughts are well spoken and The Lord is stretching you like never before. Stay encouraged and know that you rest in the Lords hands. I am sooooo proud of you! You are strong because our strength comes from HIM. I am praying for you. I hope your throat is better!
Love,
Mom
Dear Andrea,
Trust in The Lord and lean not on your own understanding. You are doing that! You have made our whole family so proud of you. You have given your heart to The Lord. Love and prayers,
Grandma
I needed to hear that! I prayed for encouragement today (because I needed it bad!:) and Jesus used you to bring it! Thank you sweet Andrea! I am beyond encouraged by your faith! Love you girl!!:)
Had tears reading your blog Andrea. Awesome blog. Thank you for sharing. Proud of you!
Andrea,
I found your blog through the adventures website, and I want you to know it has spoken to me much more than you know. God is really working in your heart and it is beautiful! Every time your posts Iam so inspired, and I truly feel God’s presence. Keep letting Him work in you! He is doing amazing things in you.