Know You Are Loved and Act Accordingly

By: Ethel Chadwick

I always tell people that one of the many reasons for reading the Bible over and over is so we are constantly reminded of God’s promises. Reading these wonderful scriptures again and again is one way to get the message planted deep with your soul, your heart and your brain.
Yet how many times do you doubt? Maybe you’re doubting right now. Maybe you don’t think you are really forgiven, and don’t believe that you are loved. This puts you on a dangerous slippery slope my friend. If you doubt God’s love then my guess is that you also doubt the love of your friends and family. This is such a sad condition.
There are two scenarios that I want you to imagine. The first scenario is this: You walk into a room and you already know that the people inside the room do not like you. They don’t accept you, they think very little of you and they constantly mock you. The room is dark, cold and smells a little musty. You feel trapped, it’s hard to breathe and you are ashamed and full of dread. You don’t dare look anyone in the eye, and no one seems to look at you either. It’s as if you don’t exist. You leave as soon as possible, gasping for air as you exit the room.
Now, here is the second scenario: You walk into a room and expect that everyone in the room likes you. You know this deep within your spirit. The room is bright, cheerful and warm. You are greeted warmly and you feel like hugging everyone. They hug you back! There is laughter, music and even the air smells sweet. There is no fear, no shame or despair, only love, acceptance and joy. You could stay in this room forever (kind of makes me think that it will be like this in Heaven)!
I once read that “expectations are planned resentments.” I would like to propose that when facing a new experience, whether it is a job interview or you are walking into a family reunion, that you always imagine scenario 2. If you imagine scenario 1 then you are already expecting and planning to be shunned and disregarded.
Yes, unfortunately, there will be times when people don’t warm up to us and there’s always someone out there that doesn’t like us, but in my experience, in most cases, when we smile and look them in the eye, they smile back.
Yes, you ARE loved. Act like it!!!


“Mama” Ethel
​www.bagelsandblessings.com