"Self-respect is the noblest garment with which a man may clothe himself – the most elevating feeling with which the mind can be inspired."
– S. Smiles

"Faithful is He Who is calling you to Himself and utterly trustworthy, and He will also do it and fulfill His call by hallowing and keeping you."
– I Thessalonians 5:24

Past Questions of the Month:

Hope and Assurance

This website was created for those acquainted with mental illness and in need of hope and assurance.

Question of the Month

If you have a question that you would like addressed, or have comments or suggestions, please let me hear from you. Contact: carolyn@hopeandassurance.com

I feel like the scum of the earth.  I don’t deserve anything good.  I am the worst person alive.  I hate myself.  Nothing I do is any good.  I don’t know what to do other than die.

Please, listen carefully to all I am about to say.  It may sound like I am writing about myself; but I am really pleading with you.  I wish I could hold you in my arms and speak to you as a dear friend.  May God’s merciful truth silence every falsehood you now declare.  May His grace surround you and cover you with the peace His love brings.

While sitting with a friend on her back porch in the quiet of the early morning, the blessings of God’s presence surrounded us. Birds sang their hearts out.  Squirrels found pleasure in their duties.  A doe and her fawn silently stepped into her yard and if an orchestra had heralded their entrance with a processional, I would have understood why.  Their graceful bodies and movements held us captive while they leisurely looked for food.  I thanked God for the beautiful deer.  They are perfect in every way, dear Lord.

His soft quiet response resonated in my heart.  “Yes, you are right.  They are… and everyone is – including you.”

He knew what I needed to hear that morning. He understood my nagging doubts and how I no longer felt good enough at work.  He gave me what I needed.

Like the deer, He chose for me and every one unique gifts and strengths.  When He beholds us as I beheld the deer, He sees what I saw:  beauty and perfection.  He is pleased and satisfied.  He declared us good on creation day and again in our mother’s womb.  He demonstrated our worth when He willingly died in our place on the cross.  We are that wonderful and special to Him.

While holding my granddaughter who was a couple months old, I talked to her about knowing that she came directly from God's hands into her Mom's hands.  I said I also knew that she had sat on God's lap just like she was now sitting on mine.  She was very quiet, just looking up at me - no moving and no sounds.  Then I said, "I know you've seen God's face and talked to Him.  Tell me what He is like.”  And with that, she became animated - kicking her legs and flapping her arms and trying so hard to talk.  Even though I asked the question, her answer overwhelmed me with the validity of God.  She obviously had so much to tell and it was all very wonderful and exciting.

So, how does every one of us lose touch with our Maker and start believing so much is wrong with us?  Where did our feeling “just right” about ourselves go?

We start listening to other’s opinions about us as children.  As we grow older and seek to please everyone significant in our lives, their statements may eventually become more important than what our Maker says.  Sometimes the wrong in this world screams so loudly and for so long, that it becomes all we can hear.

The hurts and sorrows of this world can change us.  They can drown out all that is real and true about ourselves.  Not only do we believe what they say, we become what we believe.  The good news is that Jesus Christ is greater than what is in this world and more powerful than what has been done to us.  He came to save us; to bring us back to the relationship we once had with Him.

Get to know Him again as the small child you once were.  Make the opportunities for quiet times with His creation for He made it all for our pleasure and to shout out His amazing character.  Seek out His people as your friends.  His love for us can be found everywhere when we are willing to see Him.

Stop.  Look.  Listen.  He is right here, right now.  His arms are wide open, ready to welcome you back as His beloved.  He knows what you need to hear, too.