“The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.” Zephaniah 3:17 (ESV)

A deep sigh escaped my lungs, sounding loud in my dark living room. Why can’t you get it together? I chided myself with a familiar narrative. You’re such a mess. You didn’t even make your family a decent dinner. The house is cluttered. What is wrong with you?

Tears rolled down my face. I should have been exhausted, but my inner critic kept me awake … again.

I cried out, Father, I am always so behind and scattered. I feel like a failure.

In the silence, God reminded me of a Bible verse that a friend had shared with me years earlier. I couldn’t remember all the words. Feeling hopeful, I turned on a lamp, grabbed my Bible, and turned the thin pages until I found it.

“The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing” (Zephaniah 3:17).

A memory flashed across my mind. I was driving, with my toddler in the back seat. In the rearview mirror, I could see my son’s head bobbing side to side as I sang to him. I often sang familiar melodies but replaced the lyrics with his name. My son’s face was lit up with joy, despite the tears on his eyelashes from a tantrum moments earlier. My heart swelled with love.

The picture in my mind shifted. It was the same scene but with God in the driver’s seat, loudly singing a beautiful melody over me. My mind quieted.

I read the verse again and whispered a prayer of gratitude. Thank You that You are in my midst. You sing over me because I am Your child. You rejoice over me with gladness. That night, God’s song drowned out the negative narrative I spoke to myself.

My worth does not lie in check marks on my to-do list or even in how I perceive myself. My weaknesses don’t define me — the God of the universe does!

Sometimes my mind is still unkind to my heart. But when I choose to focus on the Lord’s presence, I picture Him singing over me. Singing my name because He knows me. His love song quiets my mind.

God reminds me that even when I am wrestling with my thoughts, I am worth saving. Even when I think I am lacking, I am His child. Even when I can’t see past my shortcomings, He is rejoicing over me in song.

My ears may never hear the notes on this side of eternity, but oh, what a beautiful melody it is.

Dear Lord, quiet my mind with Your love. Let Your song over me be louder than the negative thoughts I have about who I am. Help me to find my worth in being Your child, not in my untrustworthy feelings. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

OUR FAVORITE THINGS

When you’ve believed something about yourself for so long, it can be hard to think differently. But God gives us tools to fight the lies in our heads with Truth. That’s why we created our newest devotional: Renew Your Mind: 40 Days To Quiet the Lies Inside Your Head. Learn how to discern the difference between biblical Truth and lies from the enemy by reading Scripture, prayers, and wisdom from fellow sisters in Christ. For a limited time, you can get this devotional as a FREE gift when you donate $5 or more to Proverbs 31 Ministries. Click here to get your copy today!

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FOR DEEPER STUDY

Ephesians 3:17b-19, “And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God” (NIV).

In what ways are you tempted to define your worth by your performance? Is that how God measures your worth?

How will acknowledging God’s steadfast love for you change your inner narrative today? Feel free to share in the comments. Your story may be an encouragement to others!

© 2024 by Carrie Zeilstra. All rights reserved.