By Angie Koenig

 

Untitled by Usman Zahoor via Pixabay. CC0 Creative Commons

 

Today I hit a special milestone – my third decade on this Blue Planet.  As I sit and reflect on my short journey thus far, I can’t help but be hit with one overwhelming feeling: gratitude.  I am so very thankful for my life.

I haven’t always felt this way, I don’t think there is a woman in the world who doesn’t battle with insecurity on some level.  As a young girl all the way into my 20’s, I thought it was a battle I couldn’t win.  I found my worth in what I could provide to the world, what I could accomplish.  I strove for perfection, yet knew I could never attain it.  It was a horrible way to live, but it was all I knew, so I found comfort in the very thing that made me the most uncomfortable – mediocracy.

I know now that God never intended me to lose that battle, not then, not ever.  But I had a problem, I was trying to fight alone.  I wore self-sufficiency as armor and carried the sword of independence with pride.  This was superficial armor, though, and its protection was a lie.  A lie of the enemy who sought my destruction.

Battle after battle, I swung the sword and the narrow field of vision my prideful helmet provided led me to believe I was winning.  But I was tired, I was lonely, and I was broken.  I knew my weary soul couldn’t last much longer.  I had to surrender – I couldn’t do it, I needed someone to save me.

As soon as I acknowledged my weakness and gave up my control, my Savior was able to step in.  I simply had to trust Him and His protection.  As I let the sword of independence drop from my grasp and stripped away the pride and self-sufficiency that was suffocating me, I looked to the Father and I finally saw myself the way He does – His beloved daughter, the daughter that He will always fight for.  The daughter that He created out of love and beauty and all things good.

Now, when I picture myself in front of my Father, I can’t help but cry out as Mary did with her Magnificat: … My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my savior. Luke 1:46

My worth is not based on what I can provide – I have value because I am His.  The same is true of all of you my sisters – you are so loved.  What unholy armor are you wearing that is keeping you from seeing yourself as the Father does?

My birthday wish this year is for all of you, may you see yourself the way you truly are – willed, wanted, and wonderful.  Life is a blessing, go out and live it!

About the Author:

Angie Koenig is a passionate follower of Jesus working her way through life as a Millennial. She is the youngest of nine children and embraces her role as a daughter, sister, aunt and friend. Angie blogs about her love story with Jesus at www.spirituallyspokenfor.com. Currently she resides in Eau Claire, WI where she enjoys anything that involves coffee.