Category: Devotions

Don’t Worry, Be Happy!

“So never worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:34(IST)

I remember being a worrier ever since I was 8 years old. I had just transferred to John P. Thomas–we moved to Denny Terrace, but they didn’t have AAP(Advanced Academic Program for you non-RCD1, non-SC resident folks. I took the advanced placement tests in 2nd grade and was put into AAP because I was not being challenged with the other work. Anyway, I remember I started cracking my knuckles and said something to my teacher Mrs. Gaither. She was so amazed and bewildered by what I had said that she took me to the librarian that was over OM–Odyssey of the Mind. I was very creative and loved art and expressing myself; yep, a little drama queen in the making. But whatever I said, the simple fact of my cracking my knuckles and I guess my worried expression was enough.

All of that stuck out clearly in my mind. Worry is not of God. According to a sermon I heard, worry is only negative meditation. Worry is a form of fear and be that fear of the unknown, of whether you have enough money, enough food, time whatever, worry is not good for you! It ages you–look at all these old-looking young people and other people that time has not been so kind to if you need evidence. Worrying makes you sick! In Hebrew, God is called El Shaddai, the God of more than enough, more than sufficient. God supplies us with all that we need, and if we need more, we should just ask Him! James 4:2 says “…You do not have, because you do not ask God.”(NIV) Why worry about things when God will give it? In my case, I have been worrying nearly 20 years, but I am working to stop! If I have to paste sticky notes in my car, in my bathroom, on my desk at work, I will give it to God and ask of Him! I don’t want to look like a fossil when I’m 40. I want to keep looking 12, well not that young but close to it!

Don’t worry because God provides! Be happy because you are the FAVORED of the Lord! I love you! Don’t worry, Be happy! I think I’m going to download that song and listen to it over and over again!

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7

When Insecurity Grabs Hold of You

And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18

Afternoon! I hope you are having a fantabulous day! I am trying, but this fickle weather is irking me. Oh well! Day 2 of my fast and yes I’m hungry! But I’ve been downing my water and drinking Slim Fast–dual edged sword haha. But I just want some chocolate…guess hot cocoa will have to suffice. Anyway, I have been thinking of all things I have to do for my pageant. I’m going to have to cover up my tattoos, stria–really bad stretch marks, and scars. My little body has been through a lot. I remember when I was on really high doses of prednisone—I tell you that stuff is poison, God forgive me and I hope it only does the good that it is supposed to from now on. When I was taking like 40 mg a day, over the course of three months I gained about 30 lbs. So as my skin stretched in every place imaginable to accommodate the weight, it literally ripped. The itching and the pain from it along with some of the other things I dealt with tormented me mentally and physically. But what made me look pass it was one day I was in KMart at home and a little boy told his mom I was pretty. I started crying immediately and had to run out of the store. As I type I’m tearing up. Because it was very painful to have no control over what was happening, but more so because I was insecure about it. I didn’t want to go outside, I didn’t want to go anywhere. From my perspective, I was not the same Marquita. I was someone else trapped in a shell I could not fix. Riddled with additional side effects like really bad shakes and acne now I realize that it was only the devil. The devil attacks your body and your mind to distract you and get you off balance. What better tools than your own body and mind right?

Many times throughout the Bible God has His authors tell us that we are made in His image.(Genesis 1:26-27, 1 Corinthians 15:49) God’s image is perfect and great, so since we reflect His likeness, what stops us from being great? What stops us from accepting the wrapper that He gave us? Because of what someone else thinks? No!!! Don’t you do it! Each one of us is crowned with God’s glory and honor.(Psalm 8:5). I told myself everyday for months that I am created in God’s likeness until I believed it. God made us all!(Proverbs 22:2) The only reason insecurities take over is because we allow them to. Don’t make yourself live by some unrealistic standard of beauty or intelligence created by someone who doesn’t look like or think like you. You are smart enough, you are strong enough, you are pretty or handsome enough because you are the reflection of God! “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”(Philippians 4:13) My scars are my war wounds, because I’m still here for His work and will be until it’s done! Be blessed!

In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. 1 John 4:17