A Woman Any Man Can Love

Before we consider the topic of being a woman of virtue, power, and strength—one that is honored and respected by those around her, let’s first do some housecleaning. There is some spiritual housekeeping that needs to take place concerning how you see yourself. If you do not possess a healthy self-image, there is no way that you can view yourself as a woman that anyone can love because you can’t love, respect, or honor yourself.

Concerning your life and your usefulness to your family, to God, or your community, do you see this woman that you just read about? Now, the circumstances behind the mindset do not have to be the same as the woman on the talk show for you to feel and think like this woman. So many people struggle because of guilt and shame due to their pasts. They believe that because they have made mistakes, or have been victimized, that there is nothing that can be done or said to make up for it, so they end up stagnated—mentally and spiritually. If these individuals never receive Christ, accept forgiveness, and forgive themselves, the words, “I’m all used up”, could very well end up being a self-fulfilling prophesy. The negativity and negative self-image that comes along with that type of mentality will be crippling.

These are people who would give anything to go back and change the past…rewrite history. We all know that it is impossible to change the past or take back what we say or what we do. Although we cannot change the past, I wish more women embraced the fact that your past does not dictate your future, no matter how horrible it was. As long as there is breath in your body, it is impossible to be all used up. God has a purpose and a plan for your life.

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11, NKJV).

Some people believe that because they have done wrong in the past or because bad things have happened to them that God hates them, but scripture says different. God says that He knows what His thoughts are concerning you and there is nothing evil about them. He wants to fulfill purpose in your life. He intends for you to walk in your destiny with hope and assurance.

He will not change His mind concerning that purpose and plan because you have made some mistakes. Psalm 89:34-35 states, “My covenant I will not break, nor alter the word that has gone out of my lips. Once I have sworn by My holiness; I will not lie to David” (NKJV).

In Jeremiah 29:11, the words that came forth from God were, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

In Psalm 89:34-35, God lets us know that He does not break covenants or alter what He says for any reason. He won’t take it back and He does not lie. If He said He has a purpose and plan for your life, full of hope and peace, then that is what He meant. God wants that for you. The Psalm text says that He will not lie to David, but God is no respecter of persons. What applies to David, also applies to you. If God will not lie concerning David, He will not lie concerning you either.

Well, how can you be certain that God has a purpose and plan for your life? The answer is found in Jeremiah 1:5, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew [and] approved of you [as my chosen instrument], and before you were born I separated and set you apart, consecrating you; [and] I appointed you as a prophet to the nations” (Amplified Version).

Before you were even born or formed in your mother’s womb, God approved of you. He made the executive decision to make you one of His chosen instruments. You did not get a vote. He chose you. Your approval or the approval of anyone else does not matter because God approved you to be His instrument. Not only that, but God says that He separated you, set you apart and consecrated you. I believe that part of the separation was that He separated you from you. What do I mean by this?