The girl called loser and the Jesus who loves her

Welcome "Encouragement for Today" readers... I'm glad you're here.

The year was 1982. I was in the 7th grade.

With frizzy brown hair, bucked teeth, and a knock off brand Izod I walked down the pea green hallway of Raa Middle School. It was the day after student counsel elections.

The day after my classmates confirmed what I'd so desperately feared. If you didn't have beauty, boobs, and boyfriends no one would vote for you.

I shuffled toward my locker wishing I was invisible. I kept my eyes down while I willed my feet to just keep walking. Finally, my locker was in site. That glorious metal box was my one space in this world of catty girls with cute outfits and spiral permed hair. The space where I could hide my face, let the tears slip, and pretend to be busy shuffling books.

But instead of finding respite in that tiny metal space, I found one of my election posters plastered to the front with the word, "loser" scrawled across the front. How do you quickly hide a poster sized proclamation by the world that you aren't good enough, cool enough, pretty enough, or accepted enough?

Books dropping, girls laughing, tape ripping, poster board crunching were sounds throbbing in my ears as the poster board resisted my attempts to ball it up small enough to fit into the mouth of the hallway trashcan.

"Please fit, please fit, please fit! Oh God please help this stupid poster from this stupid election with my stupid face on it disappear into this stupid trashcan!"

The bell rang. And as all the 'normal' people scampered past me I heard Stephanie's voice like a dagger's death blow whisper, "Loser."

I turned and saw my one confidant. My one friend. My one secret holder being welcomed into the popular girl's circle. Her public rejection of me was her ticket in to the crowd we'd secretly loathed together. Together.

I sank down beside the stupid trashcan where the stupid poster slowly untwisted on the ground in front of me. Loser.

I remembered this last night as I sat in front of a group of young high school students. Girls who vulnerably shared how hard peer relationships can be. They described tangled relationships and feelings of loneliness so consuming they sometimes wished the world would open up and swallow them whole.

I understood their feelings all too well. I have felt the sting of loneliness. I felt it in the flat chested stage of middle school. I have felt it in the sagging chested stage of adulthood. Relationships can be hard no matter what age you are. And here's the real kicker.

I always thought my ticket to acceptance would have come had I won that school election. Not so. For I've discovered on the other side of achievements if you were lonely before you win, you'll be lonely after you win. No amount of outward success can give you inward acceptance.

I've only been able to find that in the comfort of one who will never reject me. The one who knows what it feels like to be rejected though he should have been the most accepted. The one who will sit with me and remind me rejection from man doesn't equal rejection from God. The one who whispers to the girl sitting at the foot of the locker, "Who are they to put a label on you? The label can only stick if you let it."

Hebrew reminds me of a lot I need to remember...

Hebrews 2:

v. 14- He (Jesus) shared in their humanity (He has personally felt what you feel)

v. 15- and free those who all their lives were held in slavery (He can conquer this tough situation)

v. 18- Because he himself suffered when he was tempted (He perfectly comforts those suffering)

v. 18 b- he is able to help those who are being tempted (and is able to show you what to do)

Hebrews 3:1, " ... fix your thoughts on Jesus," (Don't get consumed with the situation rather consume your thoughts with His perspective, His truth, and His certain victory for you.)

Hebrews 4: 15-16, "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are- yet was without sin. Let us approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we many receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."

And of course I have to throw in a little 2 Thessalonians 1:6-7, "God is just; He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled..."

And all the Jesus girls who have ever sat crying at the foot of trashcan said, Amen! And Amen!

If you can relate to this post... consider reading my book "Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl." If you have a book club or Bible Study you would also enjoy the DVD teaching series by the same title. You can find those here and here.

Sweating in church

Hey sweet friend... If you are looking for the She Speaks contest click here.

Yesterday, I was studying what causes people to feel spiritually frustrated. The two top reasons? Bible study and prayer.

I get it.

I can clearly remember sitting in church sweating because everyone else knew instantly how to get to every passage in the Bible the preacher man referenced. But not me. I was more interested in counting the preacher man's spit droplets than any of the fiery words he was spewing out.

Others seemed all wrapped up and excited in what this preacher man had to say. They'd shout loud, "Un-hunh's" and "Amens!" What were they smoking? What was I missing?

And then there was my prayer life. Or the lack there-of. It's not that I didn't want to pray but the whole concept of talking to God felt weird. I tried to copy the prayers of those who seemed like they knew they were doing more than talking to the air.

But then my quirky self would sneak in and leave me feeling foolish for what I'd just said to the God of the Universe. "Dear Lord, take this food to the nourishment of my body. (Good so far.) And if you could change the molecular structure of these cheesy fries to be like carrot stick that sure would be bomb-diggity." (Hunh?)

Like the saying goes, "We've come a long way baby." Except that I'm pretty sure you could still trip me up in finding certain passages in the Bible. And I'm pretty sure you might still hear me say bomb-diggity in my prayers. But according to what Jesus taught in Matthew 6:7 I think He's okay with that.

"And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like the pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him."

For me, sincerity and simplicity are two keys to unlocking spiritual frustration with both my Bible study and my prayers. Why do we make it all so complicated?

I think a few honest moments spent with God reading His work, sharing our heart, and listening for His instruction are quite perfect. Jesus might even say they are bomb-diggity.

What do you think? Have you struggled with spiritual frustration?

Look for the connection

Yesterday, a friend of mine posed the most interesting question to me: "Lysa, if the Bible were being written today would our names be in it?"

My first inclination was to draw back and think, "Um, no. How dare I even think a thought like that. Seriously. The Bible? No, I don't think my name would be there."

But this question has continued to rattle about in me and bump into my heart where I've committed to living an all out life for God. And somewhere deep inside a spark ignites and I dare to think, maybe.

Maybe. Not because of me. Not because I'd deserve an ounce of recognition. Not because I've accomplished anything worthy of mention.

But because God loves to take rag tag people from broken backgrounds and surprise the daylights out of them with possibilities.

As I've been thinking about this series on "Studying the Bible and Loving it," I wanted the first two days to be focused on preparing our hearts and minds to be receptive of what God will surely be teaching us. Now, that we bring an attitude of asking and a heart of willingness, I want to invite you to live today in a place of possibility.

God wants to surprise us today with the possibility of experiencing Him. So, I want to take you through a little exercise where you become the teacher today. Where you become ignited with possibility.

Start by asking God for the Spirit of wisdom and discernment. Offer your willingness to learn what God wants you to learn. Now, read Philippians chapter 1. (In my Bible it's on pg. 2144)

Read it and ask yourself five questions...

1. What is something I'm facing today?
2. Why might God have specifically drawn me to read this chapter on this day?
3. Which words stand out to me?
4. Why do these words stand out to me?
5. How can I apply these words to my life today?

Now, write whichever words or verses stood out to you on a card and stick it in your purse. Commit to reading that card 5 times throughout the day today and look for the connection of how these words apply to something in your life today.

We'll talk more tomorrow about experiencing God, but for now, I can't wait to see how God reveals Himself to you today. Remember, even the smallest inklings from God are big connections for our hearts!

Just out of curiosity... what were the words that stood out most to you? I'd love to read them in today's comments.

Sweet blessings dear sisters~

Studying the Bible and Loving It- My willingness

Just as a total side note, guess who I met yesterday?

Buddy, the cake boss.

Some of you just squealed. Others are all like, who? It's the dude that makes lavish cakes on TLC. And even though I don't eat sugar, I can still admire a good looking cake y'all. And his cakes aren't just nice- they are unbelievable works of art.

Now let me clarify the situation. It's not like Buddy and I are friends and we spent the day hanging out talking about his fondant creations. No. Buddy doesn't know me from Adam's house cat.

It's more like I stood in line for close to an hour just to get his autograph and a photo with which to impress my kids. I'll try to post it sometime.

The end.

On to much more important things... part two of studying the Bible and Loving It. Yesterday's focus was on how important it is to keep asking God for the spirit of wisdom and understanding as we sit down to read the Bible.

Today, the focus is on my willingness. God considers our willingness to sit down and spend a few minutes with Him reading the Bible- His love letter to us- precious time. I hope today's short lesson inspires you to richly pour out whatever willingness you have- to the Lord. Over time, with consistency, this will become one of your favorite parts of your day.

The story that I'll share in today's video is from 2 Samuel 23: 13- 17. In my Bible it's on page 536.

(Remember, if you get this blog emailed to you, you may not be able to see the actual video in your e-mail. If that's the case, go to my blogsite at www.LysaTerKeurst.com and you'll be able to view it there.)




Now that we know to keep asking and pour out our willingness, tomorrow we'll talk about where to get started in our reading.

The Bible can seem big and overwhelming but I think you'll find our discussion tomorrow helpful and igniting!

I can't wait!

Studying the Bible and Loving it- Keep Asking!

Welcome to a special series I'm starting on my blog today called "Studying the Bible and Loving It!" If you want to see my thoughts that led me to develop this series you can click here to read an article I wrote called, "Don't Read Your Bible."

Thank you for taking time to let me peek inside your hearts through all the comments left on the last post.

Isn't it refreshing to know we're not alone in wanting more from our time with God each day?

That's why I wrote Becoming More than a Good Bible Study Girl and recorded the DVD teaching series. I hear this same thing from women all over the country.

We all want more with God.

We don't want to reduce reading the Bible to an item on our good girl checklist.

We want to become more than an observer of life.

We want a deeper connection with God everyday.

So, how do we get started? Well, today I recorded a little video that should help us take the first crucial step toward studying the Bible and loving it.

(Please note: If you are one of my feedblitz subscribers who has this blog post e-mailed to you each day, you may want to visit my actual blog by clicking here if you have trouble seeing the video in your e-mail.)

Just for your reference I've listed the Bible verses I am using in this video below. You may find it helpful to go ahead and mark each of these in your Bible and follow along as I refer to them.

Proverbs 2: 1-6

Matthew 7: 7-8

Ephesians 1: 17

So, what do you think of these verses? What might happen if we keep asking God to reveal Himself to us through this word and other things throughout our day?

Be sure to come back here tomorrow for the next part of "Studying the Bible and Loving It!" Tomorrow we'll be talking about the precious gift of our willingness.

Congratulations to Bonnie Jean who won my DVD teaching series for Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl! Please email Holly@Proverbs31.org to obtain your gift!

Studying the Bible and Loving it!

Hello Encouragement for Today friends. Thanks for popping over to visit.

Today I'm giving away one copy of my "Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl" teaching DVD. There are six- 15 minute- sessions perfect for personal or group study. If you decide to use it for a group study the DVD contains a power point section and promotional print off items along with a leader's guide to assist you.

To enter, click on "post a comment" below and follow the prompts. If you post as anonymous be sure to leave your e-mail address so we can contact you if you win. I'll pick one commenter to win and post your name on Monday.

And then you can hoop and holler around your front yard and embarrass your children in front of the neighbors. Not that I know a thing about that. I'm just sayin' we women know how to get excited when we win stuff.

My goal in writing these DVD sessions that go along with my book "Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl" and the corresponding Participant's Guide was to provide the everyday girl with a practical tool for studying and applying the truths of the Bible. And most importantly, loving every minute of it!

What struggles do you have when you are reading the Bible?

Have you ever read the Bible just to check it off the Christian checklist but felt like your heart was disconnected?

Do you ever leave church or a Bible Study class all spiritually filled up only to come home and have a complete meltdown over spilling bleach on your favorite shirt or a kids' bad attitude?

And have you ever wondered in a moment like that why it seems that Jesus' truths work for everyone else but not you?

I'd love to hear your honest thoughts, feelings and struggles today. Next week I'm planning on doing a series called "Studying the Bible and Loving it!" But brace yourself... this won't be your run of the mill talk on Bible Study.

Oh girls... who knew studying the Bible could be so invigorating, fun and challenging all at the same time! Call your mama. Text your sister. E-mail your friends and ask them to join in... this Monday- Feb. 22nd right here.

In the meantime... here's a sneak peek at the "Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl" DVD teaching series.




Make sure to enter to win a free copy of the DVD (95 total minutes of teaching) by leaving your thoughts to the questions above in the comments below.

Have a great weekend. I can't wait for Monday!