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The whole reason Jesus came to earth to live as a human was to provide a way through anything that comes along for each of us. Yes, He made a way for salvation; but also, yes He made a way through depression, anger, a broken-heart, lust, greed, low self esteem, and any sin or problem that comes our way that focuses our attention on it rather than on Him.

It’s hard to get out of a cycle of sin or hateful thinking when we’re smack dab in the middle of it. All we can see is how big our problem is and how encompassing it is in our life. Where is God? Where is His love? Where is His joy? Why can’t I experience it?

First, if you’re in the center of one of these cycles, stop and reach out to someone. Allow them to love you. As much as we want love, we often short circuit the love offered because of feeling unworthy or perhaps that the person is insincere. That is a lie from the defeated enemy (the devil). He wants you to feel rejected so you don’t reach out. So stop, and reach out. Even though you don’t have the energy to do it, reach out … and believe that you are worthy to be loved.

Jesus paid the price for us. In Hebrews 2:9-10 (NIV), it says:

But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.  In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered.

He paid that price for us because He loves us. He endured the suffering so that we can have a way through it all!

Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death – that is, the devil – and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.
Hebrews 2: 14-15 (NIV)

If what stuck out in your mind is that the devil holds the power of death, you missed it! The amazing opportunity in that scripture is that Jesus shared OUR humanity so that He would have victory over the devil – which is why I refer to him as the defeated enemy. Jesus freed us from the slavery of fear of death.

Many of us feel enslaved and unable to feel the love of Jesus. But re-read that verse! Jesus destroys the devil and sets us free! Just because you don’t feel it does not mean that it’s true. We need to believe it! We need to remind ourselves of this as many times as we remind ourselves of our unworthiness. We are unworthy but Jesus paid the price to make us His sons and daughters and heirs to His kingdom! Stop believing the lie and believe what Jesus has for you.

For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people.
Hebrews 2:17 (NIV)

Atonement means that Jesus paid the price of sin for us – for each of us. Because He suffered and died for us, we have the opportunity to walk boldly to the throne of grace (Heb. 4:16) We can say no to the chains of sin and suffering and torment caused by the defeated enemy. The devil has no power over us while we walk as children of the King of Kings!

You think that sounds nice but has no real consequences when you’re feeling defeated, and lonely, and unloved. You’re right. Until you begin a new path, you will feel the devil has the power and you feel like trash. No matter how tired you are, no matter how unworthy you feel – try something new. Stop the daily mantra of saying you are useless, worthless, unlovable and filthy. Begin a new mantra of reminding yourself that you are a child of the one true King. He loves you – YOU, so much that he became like you, He endured trials and suffering like you, and He stopped the old mantra cold by defeating the defeated enemy.

Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
Hebrews 2:18 (NIV)

But He can only help when you hand over yourself along with the sin, the defeat, the unworthiness, the unlovable you and all that you are.

Allow yourself to be loved and love in return. It’s a simple equation. 1 + 1 = 2

Feel hated (unloved) + Be ambivalent to others = Feeling defeated and being defeated

If you feel no one truly loves you and you don’t risk being hurt by loving others; then you will always feel defeated and in truth be defeated.

Allow Love + Be Loving = Feeling loved and being loved

If you put away the lie that you are unlovable and allow others to love you and you take the risk of loving others; then you will feel loved and you will be loved.

There is plenty in this world that makes you feel like crap. That’s because the defeated enemy has sway here, he is able to impact things here. And often that feels overwhelming – like it’s something you can not overcome. But you can.

If you have to write your new mantra down and read it every day, do it. Start feeding yourself new input. If you’re tired of what the world keeps feeding you, it’s time for a new diet.

That new diet consists of just a few things:

Encouraging and loving words from Jesus – the Bible, read it … every day.

Love from others that love Jesus – the church, they are your family … be involved.

Loving others – everyone you come in contact with, they need love too … be loving.

You can either be your worst enemy or your best friend. Go for best friend, you’ve hated yourself long enough and where has that gotten you? It’s time to love yourself. Oh, heard that before!? ‘Cause it’s true. Quit your hating and start your loving. Seriously! It will make a world of difference in who you believe you are. Start your new diet and work hard at it!

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