I tilted my head and let it soak in. This less-noticed sculpture was me—an unfinished prisoner locked away in a hard place.
Then I turned and looked down the corridor at the David, the statue fully chiseled by a master artist. As I walked toward it, I whispered, “O God, chisel me. I don’t want to be locked in my hard places forever. I want to be free. I want to be all that You have in mind for me to be.”
It is beautiful when the Master chisels. God doesn’t want us to label ourselves and stay stuck. But He does want to make us aware of the chiseling that needs to be done. So instead of condemning myself with statements like, I’m such a mess, I could say, Let God chisel. Let Him work on my hard places so I can leave the dark places of being stuck and come into the light of who He designed me to be.
God is calling us out—out of darkness, out from those places we thought would never get better, out of being stuck. And with His call comes His promise that He will complete the good work He began in us (Philippians 1:6).
Lord, You are the Divine Artist. Thank You for applying Your creativity to me—first in creating me, and now in continuing to shape me into who You designed me to be. I surrender to Your work. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
A PRAYER FROM LYSA
If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
—ROMANS 10:9
When I was in my early twenties, I felt very distant from God. A series of heartbreaking situations in my life made me question His goodness and whether or not He really loved me. But through His divine grace, eventually truth broke through my cold resistance and brought me to the place where I wanted to accept His love and dedicate my life to Him.
The challenge was that I didn’t know how to do this and I was too afraid to ask my friends. As I remembered struggling through this years ago, I wondered if you might be facing this same struggle too. Maybe you’ve had some ups and downs with this whole God thing but finally you’re in a place where you want to give your heart to Him, accept His grace, and receive salvation.
If that’s you, I’d like to invite you to pray this salvation prayer with me today:
Dear God,
Thank You for the gift of grace and forgiveness. Thank You that in the midst of my sin, You have made a way, through Jesus, to forgive my sin and make me right with You.
So today I confess my sinfulness . . . my hard heart . . . my mean thoughts . . . my harsh words . . . my doubt. I believe with all my heart that it was for me—and because of me—that Jesus died.
Please forgive me of all my sin. Big sins. Small sins. Past sins. Present sins. And all sins to come. I exchange my sin for Jesus’ goodness and holiness. By the shed blood of Jesus, I am now forgiven and free! Thank You that in this moment, You have sealed me with Your Holy Spirit. I receive this precious gift and trust You will do as You promise and make me a new creation, molding and shaping me from the inside out to be more like You!
I celebrate that the old me is gone and the new me is here to stay! I love You and am forever grateful for Your forgiveness and my new life in You. I ask all this in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
I love you, dear friend. And I’m rejoicing with all of heaven over every decision made to accept God’s free gift of salvation. It truly is the sweetest gift we’ll ever receive.
CONNECTING GOD’S HEART TO YOURS: 31 PERSONALIZED SCRIPTURES FOR EACH DAY
When God feels far away or seemingly silent, we must remember that His written Word is always available to us. In fact, Hebrews 4:12 tells us the Bible is “alive and active.”
One of my favorite things to do with Scripture is place my name in a verse to make it feel more personalized. Like a love note sent from God’s heart to mine. That’s why I’ve put together a list of 31 scriptures, one for each day of the month, so you’ll have this intimate connection with Him daily.
I anointed you, {insert name here}, set My seal of ownership on you, and put My Spirit in your heart as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. 2 CORINTHIANS 1:21–22 Since you are in Christ, {insert name here}, I have made you an heir of all My promises. GALATIANS 3:29
Neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate you, {insert name here}, from My love that is in Christ Jesus. ROMANS 8:39
Because of Jesus, you, {insert name here}, are free from all condemnation. ROMANS 8:1 My plan for your future, {insert name here}, is filled with hope. JEREMIAH 29:11
I will take hold of your hand, {insert name here}, to keep you from falling. PSALM 37:24
My power will rest on you, {insert name here}, when you are weak. 2 CORINTHIANS 12:9
In Christ, you, are a new creation, {insert name here}. The old has gone, the new is here! 2 CORINTHIANS 5:17 Cast all your worries on Me, {insert name here}, for I really care about you. 1 PETER 5:7
It is for freedom that Christ has set you free, {insert name here}. Do not let yourself be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. GALATIANS 5:1
My love for you, {insert name here}, will persevere through every situation. 1 CORINTHIANS 13:4–7 Not one of My promises will ever fail you, {insert name here}. JOSHUA 23:14
For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is My steadfast love toward you, {insert name here}. As far as the east is from the west, I remove your transgressions. PSALM 103:11–12
For you are My handiwork, {insert name here}, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which I prepared in advance for you to do. EPHESIANS 2:10
Trust in Me with all your heart, {insert name here}, and I will guide you. PROVERBS 3:5–6 I will give you peace, {insert name here}, at all times and in every situation. 2 THESSALONIANS 3:16
Now in Christ Jesus you, {insert name here}, who once was far away has been brought near by the blood of Christ. EPHESIANS 2:13
Call on Me, {insert name here}, when you are in trouble and I will rescue you. PSALM 91:15 My peace, which transcends all understanding, will guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus, {insert name here}. PHILIPPIANS 4:7
I will keep you safe, {insert name here}, because no one can snatch you out of My hand. JOHN 10:29 I will meet all your needs, {insert name here}, according to the riches of My glory in Christ Jesus. PHILIPPIANS 4:19
In Christ you have been brought to fullness, {insert name here}. He is the head over every power and authority. COLOSSIANS 2:10
You can know and depend on the love that I have for you, {insert name here}. 1 JOHN 4:16 You can trust in Me, {insert name here}, for I will never forsake you. PSALM 9:10
I will rejoice over you with gladness, {insert name here}. I will quiet you with My love. ZEPHANIAH 3:17
Since you have been raised with Christ, {insert name here}, set your heart on things above, where Christ is, seated at My right hand. COLOSSIANS 3:1
Though the mountains vanish, My unending love will never leave you, {insert name here}. ISAIAH 54:10 My grace was poured out on you abundantly, {insert name here}, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 1 TIMOTHY 1:14
I see all your hardships, {insert name here}, and I care about your suffering. PSALM 31:7
I will protect and carry you, {insert name here}, all the days of your life. ISAIAH 46:4 I made you alive in Jesus simply because I love you, {insert name here}. EPHESIANS 2:4–5
(For a printable version of these verses and instructions for how to make a scripture box, visit http://www.proverbs31.org/personal-scriptures.)
NOTES
CHAPTER: IS GOD GOOD TO ME?
1. “C. S. Lewis Quotes, Quotable Quotes,” Good Reads, accessed February 22, 2016, http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/615-we-are-not-necessarily-doubting-that-god-will-do-the.
CHAPTER: THE SCRIBBLED TRUTH THAT CHANGED MY LIFE
1. Lysa TerKeurst, Finding I AM: How Jesus Fully Satisfies the Cry of Your Heart (Nashville, TN: LifeWay Press, 2017), 92–93.
INDEX
TOPICS
Anxiety/Fear, 3, 15, 50, 56, 65, 72, 78, 85,
112, 143, 146, 151, 157, 176, 193, 203, 208, 224, 227, 268, 272, 275, 294
Boundaries, 94, 104, 120
Choices, 12, 50, 65, 72, 78, 94, 104, 115, 118, 123, 128, 131, 134, 214, 253, 265, 268, 281, 300
Comparison, 278, 284
Contentment, 9, 94, 146
Craving God, 107, 110, 112, 115, 118, 143
Criticism, 251, 262, 265
Decisions, 15, 35, 44, 50, 53, 59, 62, 65, 69, 78, 120, 131, 218, 221, 233
Disappointment, 19, 143, 173, 176, 179, 182, 205, 221, 262, 303
Experiencing God, 9, 22, 24, 35, 167
God’s Love, 3, 9, 12, 62, 85, 125, 134, 137, 140, 143, 151, 173, 182, 193, 199, 203, 205, 233, 272, 297, 300, 315
God’s Provision, 69, 85, 94, 97, 101, 182
God’s Sovereignty, 154, 157, 160, 163, 173, 176
Grace, 3, 12, 85, 118, 128, 140, 143, 151, 154, 185, 203, 221, 251, 253, 259, 262, 265, 272, 289, 300
Gratefulness, 256, 284, 289
Heartbreak, 6, 151, 154, 157, 160, 163, 170, 179, 182, 214, 218, 230, 233
Insecurity, 189, 230, 275, 287, 289, 291, 307
Loneliness, 50, 137, 182, 189, 193, 205
Negative Thoughts, 56, 214, 242, 245, 275, 311
Obedience, 22, 30, 32, 35, 38, 41, 75, 112, 211, 224, 233, 239, 303
Peace, 44, 69, 72, 91, 94, 143, 146, 151, 157, 160, 167, 173, 182, 239, 256, 265, 275, 278, 284
Perseverance, 19, 44, 78, 123, 221
Prayer, 3, 9, 12, 15, 19, 22, 30, 44, 65, 112, 125, 137, 157, 167, 170, 173, 176, 199, 214, 221, 224, 230, 256, 259, 275, 297, 315
Purpose, 19, 27, 32, 38, 41, 47, 65, 97, 157, 179, 262, 268, 281, 287, 289, 297, 300, 303
Reactions, 3, 6, 9, 12, 179, 196, 239, 242, 245, 248, 253, 259, 262, 265, 268, 272
Rejection, 27, 157, 160, 167, 179, 185, 189, 193, 196, 199, 208, 242, 281, 300
Relationships, 118, 146, 193, 196, 203, 218, 251, 259, 272, 294, 297
Replacing Lies, 125, 128, 208, 242, 245, 275, 291, 307
Rest, 3, 27, 44, 47, 75, 196, 199, 230, 272
Self-Control, 56, 112, 118, 123, 137, 268, 272
Stress, 56, 59, 62, 65, 69, 72, 75, 189, 196, 224, 239
Surrender, 65, 85, 88, 97, 196, 311
Temptation, 12, 91, 94, 104, 107, 110, 115, 120, 123, 128, 131, 137, 143
Time with God, 3, 6, 9, 12, 19, 22, 24, 47
Trusting God, 15, 19, 30, 32, 44, 56, 65, 85, 97, 128, 151, 154, 157, 160, 163, 173, 176, 179, 182, 211, 233, 287, 297, 300, 303
Wisdom, 9, 15, 50, 53, 69, 78, 131, 134, 143, 189, 196, 218, 221, 262, 272
DEVOTIONS
Giving My First Moments to God—Prayer/Time with God
The Pineapple Principle—Time with God
Stop Reading Your Bible—Time with God/Experiencing God
Great Sermons Aren’t Preached, They’re Lived—Time with God
Is This the Right Decision?—Decisions/Trusting God/Wisdom
An Agenda That Will Never Satisfy—Time with God
Preparing for Adventure—Time with God/Experiencing God
Interrupted by Jesus—Time with God/Experiencing God
If You’re Feeling Overlooked and Unappreciated . . . —Purpose/Rejection
I’m Scared to Pray Boldly—Prayer
Follow Me—Obedience/Trusting God
Hearing God’s Invitation—Experiencing God/Obedience
A Life with Extraordinary Impact—Obedience/Purpose
Your Unique Calling—Obedience/Purpose
Rest and Reassurance—Decisions/Peace/Rest
Space to Exhale—Rest/Time with God
Chasing Down our Decisions—Decisions/Wisdom
Read This Before Making That Decision—Decisions/Wisdom
Paralyzing Fear—Anxiety/Fear/Trusting God
The Most Nonfrantic Woman I’ve Ever Met—Decisions/Stress
The Two Most Powerful Words—Decisions/God’s Love/Stress
Analysis Paralysis—Anxiety/Fear/Decisions/Trusting God
Five Questions to Ask When Making a Decision—Decisions/Wisdom
God, I’m Worn Out—Choices/Peace/Stress
In the Flow—Obedience/Rest
Practicing Wisdom—Decisions/Perseverance/Wisdom
What Holds the Key to Your Heart?—Surrender
The Most Searched-for Answer—God’s Provision
If Only I Had . . . —Comparison/Contentment
The Seduction of Satisfaction—Contentment/God’s Provision/Temptation
The Pathway to Humility—God’s Provision/Trusting God
What Are You Missing?—God’s Provision
Where Brokenness Runs Deep—Boundaries/Temptation/Victory
Consumed by Cravings—Craving God/Temptation
Physically Overweight and Spiritually Underweight—Craving God
An Undivided Heart—Craving God/Self-Control
Shocked by My Own Advice—Craving God/Temptation
The Value of Emptiness—Craving God/Self-Control
Satan’s Plan Against You—Temptation
When the End Goal Seems Too Hard—Perseverance/Self-Control/Temptation
Replacing Old Lies with New Truths—Prayer/Replacing Lies
Turning North—Replacing Lies, Temptation
How Much Will This Choice Really Cost Me?—Choices/Wisdom
The Courageous Choice—Choices/Wisdom
Telling My Flesh No—Self-control/Temptation/God’s love
Why Do I Have So Many Issues?—Comparison/Grace
If Only We Knew—Craving God/Grace
The Real Peace We Need—Peace
I Have Trust Issues—God’s Love/Heartbreak/Trusting God
Is God Good?—Heartbreak/God’s sovereignty/Trusting God
Is God Good to Me?—Heartbreak/God’s sovereignty/Trusting God
Do I Trust God to Be God?—Heartbreak/God’s sovereignty/Trusting God
The Crushing Times—Heartbreak/God’s sovereignty/Trusting God
What I Never Noticed About Jesus—Experiencing God
Dealing with Deep Grief—Heartbreak
Why Isn’t God Answering My Prayer—Disappointment/God’s sovereignty/Prayer
A Little Mad and a Lot Confused—Disappointment/God’s sovereignty/Prayer
The Sting of Disappointment—Disappointment/Rejection
Why Would God Let This Happen?—Disappointment/God’s Love
What Makes Rejection So Awful?—Grace/Rejection
If You Ever Feel Lonely, Read This—Loneliness
The Girl Called Loser—God’s Love/Rejection
Yesterday’s Hurts in Today’s Relationships—Rejection
There’s a Lady at the Gym Who Hates Me—God’s Love/Rejection
Because I Am Loved—God’s Love
Alone in a Crowded Room—Loneliness/God’s Love
Three Things You Must Remember When Rejected—Rejection/Replacing Lies
The Best Worst Thing—God’s Plans/Trusting God
A Better Place to Park—Heartbreak/Negative Thoughts
Wisdom Together—Relationships/Wisdom
Wisdom and Humility—Wisdom
I’m Really Afraid—Anxiety/Fear
Holding On to Truth—Anxiety/Fear
Pressing Through the Pain—Heartbreak/Prayer
Devastated but Not Destroyed—Heartbreak/God’s Love/Trusting God
The Beginnings of a Miracle—Reactions
Is My Pain Talking?—Negative Thoughts/Rejection/Replacing Lies
Getting Unstuck from My Thinking Rut—Negative Thoughts/Reactions/Replacing Lies
The Root of My Rot—Reactions
I Quit—Criticism/Grace/Relationships
Receiving Grace—Grace/Reactions
The Treasure of Thrown-Away Food—Gratefulness/Peace
Giving Grace—Grace/Reactions/Relationships
Something to Consider with Criticism—Criticism/Grace
I Had the Perfect Comeback—Criticism/Grace/Reactions
God, Give Us Self-Control—Re
actions/Self-Control
What to Do with Tough Relationships—Relationships
You Don’t Like Me—Insecurity/Negative Thoughts/Replacing Lies
Comparisons Stink—Comparison
Her Success Doesn’t Threaten Mine—Comparison/Purpose
I Want What She Has—Comparison/Contentment/Gratefulness
But, Lord, I Can’t DO That!—Insecurity/Purpose/Trusting God
Feeling Guilty?—Gratefulness/Insecurity/Purpose
Even When I Fall Short—Insecurity/Replacing Lies
The Friendship Challenge—Relationships
The Scribbled Truth That Changed My Life—God’s Love/Purpose/Relationships
Getting Past My Past—God’s Love/Grace/Purpose
Pushing Past Awkward—Obedience/Purpose
Life-Saving Truth—Comparison/Insecurity/Replacing Lies
Called to Freedom—Negative Thoughts/Surrender
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lysa is a wife to Art and mom to five priority blessings named Jackson, Mark, Hope, Ashley, and Brooke. She is the president of Proverbs 31 Ministries and author of twenty-one books, including the New York Times bestsellers Uninvited, The Best Yes, Unglued, and Made to Crave. Additionally, Lysa has been featured on Focus on the Family, The Today Show, Good Morning America, and more. Lysa speaks nationwide at Catalyst, Lifeway Abundance Conference, Women of Joy, and various church events.
To those who know her best, Lysa is simply a woman who loves Jesus passionately, is dedicated to her family, and struggles like the rest of us with laundry, junk drawers, and cellulite.
Connect with Lysa on a daily basis, follow her speaking schedule, and receive biblical encouragement:
Blog: www.LysaTerKeurst.com
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/OfficialLysa
Instagram: @LysaTerKeurst
Twitter: @LysaTerKeurst
ABOUT PROVERBS 31 MINISTRIES
Lysa TerKeurst is the president of Proverbs 31 Ministries, located in Charlotte, North Carolina.
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