by Desiree Bustamante

Conquering the discouraging voices in our head.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

Maybe you can relate to the exasperation in my niece’s demeanor. Perhaps, as a child, a parent or teacher looked at you that way. At times you might feel that way as you look at your children or spouse. It’s not pleasant if you are on the receiving end of that look.

Maybe you also see God standing with His hands on His hips saying in a stern voice, “See what you did? You made a mess of things! You can’t do anything right!  You are never going to amount to anything in life!” The voices we hear in our head can be overwhelming, especially if we believe Satan’s lies that we are not loved by our heavenly Father.

While it’s true that we are sinners and have failed to live up to His ways, Christ loved us and willingly gave up His life for us! If we believe this truth, we do not need to fear His condemnation. He does not speak to us in a stern, judgmental or unloving voice!

“What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.”
Romans 8:31-34 New Living Translation

Instead, He says to us, “See what I did!” I gave my only Son’s life for you, because I love you so much and want you with me forever. So, if you hear that ugly voice in your head, know that it is not from God but deceiving words of Satan! No sin you commit, or flaw or weakness can separate you from His love. Turn “See what you did?” into “See what He did for you!” You are a beloved child of a gentle, loving, restoring God.

“And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  
Romans 8:38-39 New Living Translation

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado