mystique-an air of mystery and reverence developing around someone
Mystique is a direct result of our inner confidence.
The 4 A's....
1. Assurance-our feelings of self-worth. Have we believed a lie about ourselves?
Reject the lies I love this quote from Sandy
"Satan knows we are tremendously valued by God, and he fears the day we believe it"
Listen to the truth fill yourself up with what God says about you. If you don't know where to start, utilize the "Who I am in Christ" booklets I gave you last serving time. Speak these truths over yourself....and BELIEVE them!!
2. Advancement-fulfilling the plans the Lord has for you
Uncover your passions
Consider the season many of us are home with little ones. Right now my season is pouring myself into my children. Not that I don't have passions, but my main passion is to see my children raised in the knowledge and love of the Lord. There will be different seasons where I will have more time to uncover and utilize my passions.
Make time
Maintain priorities In this order.....God, your husband, your children, your passion. He will never ask you to you sacrifice your priorities for your passion.
3. Appearance- we feel our best when we look our best. And our men are visual!
Define your style-the devil's desire is for women to compare. He has made each of us unique and beautiful
Consider his preference-what does your husband say about you? What things does he really love about your appearance?? hair long, short, dressy, casual...high heels, ballet flats, makeup, no makeup, etc.
4. Attitude-towards your husband, others and yourself
Encouragement-when we are filled up and confident, we are able to give encouragement away. When we are so consumed with ourselves and have no self worth, we spend all our energy on ourselves.
Discretion timing with our husbands, gossiping about others
Courage- we want to be unafraid to learn and grow
These 4 A's are a lifelong process....looking back, we can see where God has brought us and be encouraged to keep running towards Him and His very best for you!!
Reflection Questions
1. What phrase often plays in your mind and undermines your belief in yourself? Where did it come from: your past, your experiences, or what other people said about you? Does it agree with God's Word?
My biggest struggle was the belief that I am completely loveable just the way I am. Most of you will find you see God as you have seen your earthly father. My father who is a wonderful, wonderful man, exhibited very conditional love for me. I always felt like I had to "perform" for him to love me. If I did not act as he desired, he withheld his love and affection. I viewed God like this for a long, long time. As distant, and ready to strike me and turn His back on me at my first offense. I have experienced wonderful freedom knowing of God's extravagant, unchanging love for me....by destroying those lies in my spirit and replacing them with the Truth of God's Word.
2. Imagine deleting that repeating phrase and inserting what God says about you instead. If you did that, how would it affect your choices and your relationship with your husband?
3. What dreams or ideas have you thought about over the years? Which ones would you like to advance in? Is now a good season for advancing? If not, when might be?
4. What is one small action you could take to set yourself on the path of that advancement process?
5. Consider the pattern of your life. What do your actions show are your priorities?
6. What do you like about your personality? Your appearance? What words would you sue to describe your personality and thus your personal style?
7. Where do you try to "fit in" rather than embrace your true self? What steps can you take to express your individuality?
8. What areas of discretion-timing, details, or gossip, is most difficult for you? Why?
9. Do you seek opportunities to be a force of encouragement in your husband's life? How has this affected him?
I want my husband's greatest praise to come from me...I want my children to see my adoration and complete love for their dad. I firmly believe that Jason's success in life-personal and professional, are (in part) a result of my prayers, my encouragement, and speaking those things before we even saw them in the natural (Romans 4:17). We have incredible power (for good or bad) with our husbands. I want to encourage you today, if you are not doing this, to start. Even if it starts with a small thanks......
thanks for working so we can live in this house, so I can stay home....thanks for always leaving the car with a full tank of gas, thanks for loving our kids, etc. It's contagious and it will bless your husband, and in turn, you!!
Ladies, let's Love God's Word and hide it in our hearts as His promises for us...
For I am God's masterpiece. He has created me anew in Christ Jesus, so that I can do the good things He planned for me long ago. Ephesians 2:10
Remember to look over the First Steps on p. 87 and have Chapter 5, Inviting Romance, read for our next serving time on March 3rd.
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