U R More

U R More

U R my Confidence (Why Trust is the Key to Joy)

They say worrying is like a rocking chair — it gets you nowhere. But trust is a rocking chair too. I know, because I sat in one the other night.

U R Confident 2015.07.08 (1)

When you open to the same set of Psalms week after week, you may want to peer in and listen for the whisper.

I have trusted in the LORD without wavering. (Ps 26:1)

The winds of change, the uncertain, the fearsome moments come, but His Word is sure:

The Lord is the stronghold of my life — of whom should I be afraid? (Ps 27:1)

Life shifts. The thing we think we can rely on  is no longer reliable. The one thing we want comes with no promise that we will get it. The sky becomes a question mark. I become the question mark. My face gets furrowed with lines.

But I sit and rock.

The one who trusts sits in the rocking chair. And then steps out to stand on a rock she cannot see.

As the sun sprays gold on the horizon, I watch Samuel, the young one, splashing in the pool. My husband, the hunter, mows the lawn, perfect lines back and forth, hunting for solutions.

Though an army deploy against me, my heart is not afraid; though war break out against me, still I am confident. (Ps 27:3)

I refuse to let the enemy steal the joy of this moment: our little boy splashing waves, Daddy chasing him, water bombing the pool. We all laugh.

When you choose thanks in the moment, when you pick joy and rock in it, you chase the snake away.

That snake lurks to steal your thanks, yes, even for this moment, the one when you are pressed in the vise.

Can you trust the One who loves you so much that He is using the discomfort of this moment to show His faithfulness to you? Can you trust that He is transforming you into a vessel more deeply valuable for His purpose? 

Your rocking chair laughter in the hardest moments of your life sounds ridiculously lovely in the world’s ears.

This moment assures us that we can receive all as a gift, even the hard; we can utter thanks as Christ did while knowing the agony of the cross. We can smile at the days to come in a defiant stance of confidence: and when we do, we defy the enemy.

He showed up that night, in the flesh: a big, thick green snake slithering right there, right at the baby boy’s starting line for his race to the pool, right there in the garden of our yard, where the boy’s feet stood. The hunter called, ran, got the shovel, and hacked away at him till he pinned him good. Those stubborn beasts keep trying to steal our inheritance in the kingdom, and man, Satan is stubborn.

But we must get up out of the chair and stand more stubborn than he.

[pullquote]I am certain that I will see the LORD’S goodness in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be courageous and let you heart be strong. Wait for the LORD. (Ps 27:13-14) [/pullquote]

Can you trust, really trust?  Can I? To trust is to linger long in the rocking chair of faith, to count graces, to capture laughter, and to methodically, with confidence, hack the enemy to pieces with your love. Then, it is to get up and stand confident on the rock you cannot see.

Let’s trust today!

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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
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