U R More

U R More

U R More Than You Think You Are (even though you think you’re not?)

When I saw her in the dream, she exuded fab.  She sauntered in high heels and a tailored dress, her red hair sweeping wild over beaming eyes.

But the girl before me: her eyes are hidden dim behind frames.  Her hair, the color of auburn leaves drenched by fall rain, drips over stooped shoulders.  As I prepare myself to tell her something she doesn’t want to hear today — that our ministry has to let her go — I suddenly remember her in the dream that circled my mind all the night:  in the dream she was radiant, exuberant.  Her confidence swelled a room of a thousand people.  That hot red swoop of her hair swept the man beside her off his feet.  She oh-so-brashly waved goodbye to me, clicking away in stellar heels, not an insecurity in a single cell of her body.  In the dream, she was life to the full.  Her best self.

As I deliver the news of her release, the real girl in my office understands.  Then speaks, her voice cracking hard and heart spilling wide open.  Insecurity floods the space.

When truth gushes, we cannot brush past it.

Her truth is that of so many!  It’s truth I’ve known and walked:  she’s afraid.  In the past, a former boss slayed her with words of anger, insulting cuts that made her fear to be confident in who she is.

But two nights prior in the dream, I saw who she is, who she can be, the way her Creator made her.

the way her Creator made Her

Herein lies the cry of our hearts, to be known as we are, to be fabulous as we are made.  To declare, “Body and soul, I am marvelously made!”  (Ps 139:14 MSSG)

You are More than you think you are:  more Beautiful, Stronger, Wiser.  In the light of Christ, security is totally accessible to you.  As He is in your reach, Security is at your fingertips if you just extend your hand to His.

In His eyes, you are already your best. You already have Peace and Joy and Strength for the battle you are facing.

If we are going to spend eternity with Him this way, why don’t we start with confidence today?  Not “US” confidence; GOD confidence.  Security that we are His talented, destined, appointed children on a journey with Him by our side.

What would happen if you dreamt of your redeemed self?  What would your walk look like?  Your talk?  Your dress?  Your stature?

If we are going to spend forever WHOLE, maybe we should all stop walking BROKEN.

Whatever words slayed you in the past, whatever experience shook your best self, whatever way you’ve lived that you want to shed like old skin — shed.

Whatever shook your Best Self

 

The girl before me in my office wipes tears for the second time, and we laugh about how a new fiery red haircut could be a good start.  She leaves my house ready for a new day, where her past won’t determine her future.  Ready to find a GOD-confidence that won’t fade or slump or dim, but will grow brighter and more beautiful within her.

U R More Than You Think You Are

What can God redeem in you today?  Ask Him to show you how he sees “marvelously made” YOU — you with those big dreams and that big heart and that GOD confidence that could fill a room of a thousand people (or an audience of One), if only you would let it.

In love,

SHARE THIS STORY, Choose your platform:

About the Author: Jennifer

Jennifer Strickland is a wife, mom, TEDx speaker, and former professional model. She is the author of Girl Perfect, More Beautiful Than You Know, and Beautiful Lies, among other books and Bible studies that teach women their worth in God’s eyes. Since leaving the modeling industry, she founded URMore.org, a non-profit ministry that provides resources to hurting women and girls. Her favorite moments are found working on the family ranch with her husband, who she calls “the Cowboy”; in her kitchen, concocting a new version of her famous spaghetti; or spending time with their three precious children.

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING

At the age of 18, I was recovering from an eating disorder, cutting, and suicide when I read Jennifer Strickland’s book Girl Perfect and it changed my life. At the age of 33, as I travel the world reaching youth for the gospel, this is the only book I recommend to girls who are struggling. The Lord has truly anointed Jennifer’s words through her story, not only to address the struggles of today’s generation of girls, but also to walk them through the healing necessary for victory.

Christina Boudreau

Jennifer is a captivating speaker. She keeps the listener hanging in wonder of what’s coming next! Her presentation is not only absorbing, it reveals the truth of God’s power to heal a wounded spirit.

Barbara Brown

Barbara Brown, Former Stonecroft Ministries Regional Representative, San Diego, CA

“The ‘P’ word [perfection] may be the heaviest burden women bear. All the misguided things we do to attain it can keep us away from what we need most – the unconditional love of God the Father. The Girl Perfect Study Guide gives you a map to the wholeness you were created for.”

Nancy Ortberg

Nancy Ortberg, author and former teaching pastor at Willow Creek Community Church

“The Girl Perfect Study Guide shatters the lies girls and women believe and points to the ultimate truth, which really does set us free. I am confident that this study will help thousands discover a beauty, purpose, and worth that truly lasts. Thank you Jen for exposing the ‘perfect life’ and inviting girls to experience God’s ‘perfect love.'”

Allie Marie Smith

Allie Marie Smith, Founder of Wonderfully Made

One of the best testaments to what Jennifer is doing for the young girls and women of today is a comment from my eleven-year-old granddaughter: “Grammy, I want to read this book and hear her again. She’s good and I learned a lot.” This is exactly what I experienced from a grown-up perspective when I was introduced to Jennifer Strickland’s amazing story. Read it and see if you don’t get the real story from an icon model and a powerful speaker of truth.”

Thelma Wells

Thelma Wells, D.D. (Hon), President of Woman of God Ministries
Show Buttons
Hide Buttons