Cafe` Chat

Today I'm visiting at the Cafe` and boy did Kim make me take a step back.

She is addressing strongholds/struggles in our lives.

Wow.....time to get real.

I have got a few things that really have a lot of power over me. I realize that I am allowing this because as a child of the King, I have HIS power...I just don't claim and use the power He has instilled in me.

Here is our question:

How would my life look if I no longer struggled with _______? What if I was completely free from ______ through Christ’s power…(Put your struggle/stronghold in the blank) *Try to give some very specific ways your life would be different if you no longer struggled with your above named stronghold*

I have 3 big struggles, but the one I'm going to put in the blank is low self esteem.

How would my life look if I no longer struggled with low self esteem?
(We'll answer the 2nd question next week)

In the natural,I think I'm pretty okay. I mean, I believe I'm a good wife and mom, I keep up with my housework, keep up with the laundry, most of the meals we eat are cooked from scratch.

My kids are homeschooled and they are very intelligent.

My house is decorated simply, but nicely.

In the spiritual, I'm okay..but like most..could do better. I stay pretty consistent with my quiet time with God. I'm faithful to my church and the people that make up the body. I'm constantly putting others before myself and trying to make sure their needs are met. I share Jesus and what He means to me and what He can mean to you and the difference He can and will make in all areas of your life.

But.....

No matter how good of a wife and mom I believe I am, I will notice other women who are better.

No matter how clean or well decorated my house is, I see other homes that are cleaner or prettier.

No matter how much time I spend with God or how faithful I am to His people, there is a greater Christian than me. Someone who is making a bigger difference in the Kingdom.

I struggle with accepting myself, just the way God made me.

Thing is...NO ONE complains to me about me. My DH lavishes me with praise and thanks. Even my teenagers will love on me and thank me and tell me "I'm a pretty cool Mom".

My church family loves on me and especially the teenagers at our church.

God doesn't beat me up...He just shows me when I have sin in my life, but just as often I can hear Him encouraging me, especially in those moments when I'm comparing myself to someone "better".

How would my life look without this struggle??

Hands down...I'd be a happier person.

I'd be satisfied with myself and accepting of the person God made ME to be.

God made me a jeans and t-shirt girl. Dressing up would be putting on a blouse with those jeans!!

That's okay.

God made me a quiet person.

That's okay, because it makes me a good listener and sometimes all someone wants is someone to listen to them.

I like being a submissive wife and SAHM.

That's okay.

I believe I would be a lot more confident and accepting of myself. Satan would no longer be able to whisper (sometimes scream) in my ear that no matter what I do..it's not good enough.

I believe that I'd have a lot more smiles and a lot less tears.

I'd be free....Just as God intended me to be in Him.

What about you? What is your biggest stronghold/struggle??