What Truly Matters

There are times when I feel as if I don’t matter. I feel invisible, insignificant…perhaps even forgotten. I think I worry too much about what other people think of me, and I can even create this story in my head about people—something that I know is most likely not true about them, but the pessimistic part of my brain assumes the worst. And when I see another person succeed in something truly great, I may come across a feeling that somehow it makes me less because I’m not like that. Not like them—perhaps accomplishing something I never could, or more than I could ever hope to do.

This is not truth. And giving in to it is not living in the truth. I know what is true, and my feelings and emotions do not dictate or change that. Yet I still encounter these moments, knowing as long as I have that they are lies. I continue in this battle going on in my mind that I must fight. And the only way to do so is with Truth found in the living and active Word of God (John 1:1, 14:6; Hebrews 4:12). Second Corinthians 10:3-5 reminds those of us who are believers that “we do not wage war according to human standards, for the weapons of our warfare are not human weapons, but are made powerful by God for tearing down strongholds. We tear down arguments and every arrogant obstacle that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to make it obey Christ.”

These recurring moments remind me that on my own, I am weak. I can’t wage war against these false notions in my own strength. It can only come from God. In 2 Corinthians 12, Paul also faced a continual circumstance of weakness that God did not remove from Him. He had a “thorn in the flesh” given to him (v. 7). Verses 8-10 state, “I asked the Lord three times about this, that it would depart from me. But He said to me, ‘My grace is enough for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ So then, I will boast most gladly about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may reside in me. Therefore I am content with weaknesses, with insults, with troubles, with persecutions and difficulties for the sake of Christ, for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.”

Paul realized the purpose of his weak state: it revealed his need for God’s strength to accomplish what he could not do on his own. The power of the gospel was put on display; he endured his hardships for the sake of Christ, who gave him all the strength he could ever need (Philippians 4:11-13). In this way, his weakness glorified God.

I must ask myself these two questions: Am I living for the reaction and approval of others? Or am I seeking to bring glory to God whether or not I’m noticed by anyone else (Colossians 3:23)?

I often don’t post my writings (or even write as much as I used to) partly because of two reasons: so many other people write (if I’m just one of many, will it even matter?) and I don’t know if what I’m writing is good enough or even worth sharing (I will literally read and reread what I’ve written many times over before I even think about sharing it…sometimes I find myself doing this before sending texts or other messages, too).

In the past, my writings were a source of comfort for the difficult and painful situations I found myself in. It came so easily and naturally. Expressing myself through writing has been my greatest form of communication. I can clearly lay out what is on my mind and in my heart, especially since writing gives me the time I need to word it in the best way. Speaking aloud what I feel isn’t always easy, and at times I may not even feel truly heard.

If there’s one thing that I know the Lord is teaching me, it is to remember what truly matters. I am nothing without Christ (John 15:4-5, Acts 17:24-28, Galatians 2:20, Colossians 3:3-4). He is greater than all. All people, and all things (Colossians 1:15-18). He sacrificed His life—once for all—for all my sins…everything I have done wrong, and everything I will do wrong. My debt is paid in full and I have received forgiveness. I am clothed in His righteousness. I am reconciled with God through Christ’s death and because He was raised to life and defeated death, I too live through Him. I am eternally secure—saved by grace through faith in Christ alone (Psalm 103:3, 8, 10, 12-13; John 10:27-30; Romans 3:21-26, 5:1-2, 6-11; 1 Corinthians 15:54-57; Galatians 1:3-5, 3:27; Ephesians 1:7-8, 2:4-9; Philippians 1:21; Colossians 1:13-14; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; Titus 3:4-7; Hebrews 10:10-14; 1 Peter 1:3, 18-21; 1 John 1:7-9).

And I am never truly alone—as a believer, God has given His Holy Spirit to be with me forever (John 14:16-17, 26; John 16:13-15; Acts 2:38-39; Romans 8:11; 2 Corinthians 1:21-22; Ephesians 1:13-14). God formed me and knows me—fully and completely—and I can never go anywhere where He won’t be (Psalm 103:14-18, 139:1-18; 1 Corinthians 13:12).

I’m too often consumed by my own self, my thoughts and feelings which, in a sense, matter, but not to the extent that they take precedence over truth. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6). He must reign supreme in my life (1 Chronicles 29:11, John 3:30, 2 Corinthians 5:14-15, Ephesians 1:18-23, Colossians 3:15).

God is the one who has gifted me the ability to write well. Even if I doubt it at times, I know this is something I can do. Something I am good at. I don’t need to be the best or have the greatest works. If my motive is to please the Lord and do His will, He will bless it (Psalm 19:14; Ephesians 5:8-10, 15-17; Colossians 1:10; 1 John 5:14). He may also use my writings to bless the people who come across them (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). What I write can inspire others to lean on Him for strength in their weak areas, and glorify Him with their gifts. Ultimately, if He is honored and gets the glory, then it is something worth doing (Colossians 3:17).

No matter how much I want them to be gone or wish to be better and stronger than I feel, I know I will continue to wrestle with weak moments. I haven’t been perfected yet (Philippians 3:12, James 3:2). My feelings will get in the way, again. My thoughts will wander to places they shouldn’t, and I will have to bring Scripture back to mind so I can refocus on truth (Philippians 4:8, Colossians 3:1-2, 2 Timothy 3:14-17). It is an everyday fight to keep my eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12:1-3). Praise God for His Word, the sword with which we as believers wield in this constant battle to stand firm in our faith (Ephesians 6:10-17, Colossians 2:6-8). As we come to God in every situation—weary and burdened as we may be—we have confidence that He hears us and will help us (Psalm 116:1, 145:18; Matthew 11:28-30; Philippians 1:6; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; Hebrews 4:16; 1 Peter 5:6-7, 10). We can cling to the promise that His peace which “surpasses all understanding will guard [our] hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7). In the midst of these feelings of insecurity and whispers of doubt, our Hope remains steadfast and sure (Hebrews 6:17-20). Feelings pass away, and all else will do the same, but the Word of God never will (Psalm 102:12, 25-27; 1 Peter 1:24-25).