Electives – Section 8

(Your name), listen to what you are saying. Let yourself believe, love, and be thankful for the truth!

…I don’t have to submit to the angry demands of others by punishing myself when I don’t measure up. Lord You are my standard. I turn my heart to depend on You—not myself…

…I don’t have to punish myself by making myself bleed because Jesus bled and died for me. Jesus paid the price for all the ways my humanity falls short. I turn from having to depend on myself…

…I don’t have to cut myself in order to let the “bad stuff” bleed out. I praise You Lord that You are the God who cleanses me inside and out. I turn my heart to trust the Lord as my righteousness—not me…

…I don’t have to distract myself from my imperfections by the cuts I make in my body. I turn from feeding on the power and control I feel by cutting myself. God is my perfection. I turn to You Lord…

…I don’t have to ease the blame and guilt I feel for not being able to do enough. The Lord is my adequacy. I turn from wanting reasons to put faith in myself. I turn from feeding on the power and control I feel by cutting myself. The Lord is my God… (pause to hear, believe, and love it as the truth!)

..I can turn from wanting to feel clean or by hurting myself. I turn from wanting pleasure, control, or reassurance by hurting myself. I reject and renounce self-mutilation as a way to avoid trusting the power of the cleansing and forgiveness of God… (pause to hear, believe, and love it as the truth!)

…I turn my soul from faith in myself for the purity and cleansing I need. I set my heart to turn and trust God to wash me clean—the cleansing of God is far more powerful than all my weaknesses, imperfection, and sin… (pause to hear, believe, and love it as the truth!)

“…draw near…in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean…and our bodies washed with pure water” (Heb. 10:19 and 22)

“…washed…in the Spirit of our God.” (1 Cor. 6:11)

“…I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols.” (Eze. 36:25)

“…the Lord has washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion…by the spirit of judgement and the spirit of burning,” (Isa. 4:4)

“I will cleanse them from all their iniquity by which they have sinned against Me…” (Jer. 33:8)

“I have wiped out your transgressions like a thick cloud, and your sins like a heavy mist. Return to Me, for I have redeemed you.” (Isa. 44:22)

“…by the sanctifying work of the Spirit…sprinkled with His blood…” (1 Peter 1:2)

“It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man.” (Psa. 118:8)

“…the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out.” (John 6:37)

“…none of those who take refuge in Him will be condemned.” (Psa. 34:22)…

“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12:32).

And, “…the kingdom of God does not consist in words but in power” (1Co 4:20).

So, “…come to the waters…delight yourself in abundance.” (Isa. 55:1,2). (pause to love being before the fountain of God!)

…I don’t have to get back at people by hurting myself. God sees what they have done wrong. I turn and I leave the vengeance to You Lord. I turn from feeding on the power I feel by cutting myself. The Lord is God—I feed on You Lord… (pause to let yourself feel confidence and be reassured by God’s presence!)

…I don’t have to punish myself for the wrong that others do. Lord I love that You are a God of truth. The closeness of God is what heals my pain—I turn to You totally because I have nothing else…

…I don’t have to protest the unreasonable expectations of others by cutting on myself. I turn from agreeing with the pressure they put on me to depend on myself. God is my purity and my perfection—not me…

…I don’t have to carve myself into a socially acceptable size. I turn my heart to You Lord. I rest into trusting God’s grace to feed those who are thirsty—I welcome Your presence here with me Lord. My eyes are on You—not on myself… (pause to hear, believe, and love it as the truth!)

…I don’t have to feed myself with the control and power I feel by making myself feel pain. I turn my heart to depend on God as my strength—I praise Your sovereign power and Your ability to control Lord—not mine… (pause to hear, believe, and love it as the truth!)

I turn from wanting to feel clean or by hurting myself. I turn from wanting pleasure, control, or reassurance by hurting myself. I reject and renounce self-mutilation as a way to avoid trusting the power of the cleansing and forgiveness of God… (pause to hear, believe, and love it as the truth!)

…I turn my soul from faith in myself for the purity and cleansing I need. I set my heart to turn and trust God to wash me clean—the cleansing of God is far more powerful than all my weaknesses, imperfection, and sin… (pause to let yourself feel confidence and be reassured by God’s presence!)

“Surely our griefs He Himself bore, And our sorrows He carried…He was pierced through for our

transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed.” (Isa. 53:4,5) (pause to hear, believe, and love it as the truth!)

“…none of those who take refuge in Him will be condemned.” (Psa. 34:22)

“…the nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord God my refuge…” (Psa. 73:28)

“…the Lord has washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion…by the spirit of judgement and the spirit of burning,” (Isa. 4:4) (pause to let yourself feel confidence because of the truth!)

“…having forgiven us all our transgressions…[He] canceled out the certificate of debt…against us…having nailed it to the cross.” (Col. 2:13,14). (pause to let yourself feel confidence because of it!)

“and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that…by His wounds you were healed.” (1 Peter 2:24). (pause to let yourself feel confidence because of the truth!)

“For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God…” (1 Peter 3:18). (pause to let yourself feel confidence because of the truth!)

“…soul…my hope is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation, My stronghold; I shall not be shaken. On God my salvation and my glory rest; The rock of my strength, my refuge is in God.” (Psa. 62:5-7).

“…He Himself is the [payment] for our sin…” (1 John 2:2)

… (Your name), listen to what you are saying. Let yourself believe, love, and be thankful for the truth!

…I don’t have to hide from the truth about my imperfections because the Lord is my God. I love God’s grace to draw near without holding back. God’s closeness is far greater than my greatest imperfection…

…I don’t have to avoid the pain of when others hurt me by hurting myself even more. I turn and run to You Lord. You are the God who soothes me when I hurt…

…I don’t have to avoid the misery I feel by distracting myself with a different kind of pain. Lord, Your presence with me is my blanket. You are where I run and hide…

…I don’t have to demand justice by hurting myself. God is the one who justifies me. I turn and will trust You to draw near so that I can hide myself in You Lord. God is a refuge that comforts me by touching me with His perfection and purity By His touching me, God’s perfection and purity become mine….

…I don’t have to punish myself and then pride myself with the control I feel by threatening my body with pain. God is a far greater glory. God is a stronger fortress. God is my deliverer in whom I confidently trust. I wrap myself in You Lord… (pause to let yourself feel reassured by God’s presence!)

…I don’t have to try to feel clean again by hurting myself. I turn from wanting to stay away from God because of my imperfections. Lord You are my perfection. You are the God who cleanses me pure—I have nothing else… (let yourself feel confidence from the closeness of God’s power and glory!)

I turn from wanting to feel clean or by hurting myself. I turn from wanting pleasure, control, or reassurance by hurting myself. I reject and renounce self-mutilation as a way to avoid trusting the power of the cleansing and forgiveness of God… (pause to let yourself feel confidence because of the truth!)

…I turn my soul from faith in myself for the purity and cleansing I need. I set my heart to turn and trust God to wash me clean—the cleansing of God is far more powerful than all my weaknesses, imperfection, and sin… (pause to trust you are being washed by God. Let yourself be reassured by it!)

“Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus…let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” (Heb. 10:19 and 22).

“…repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord” (Acts 3:19). (pause to hear, believe, and love it as the truth!)

“My dwelling place also will be with them; and I will be their God, and they will be My people.” (Ezek. 37:27)

“…the tabernacle of God is among men…” (Rev. 21:3)

“On God my salvation and my glory rest; The rock of my strength, my refuge is in God.” (Psa. 62:7)…

“I will say to the Lord, ‘My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!’” (Psa. 91:2)

Lord, “When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You.” (Psa. 56:3)

“I have wiped out your transgressions like a thick cloud, and your sins like a heavy mist. Return to Me, for I have redeemed you.” (Isa. 44:22) (pause to let yourself feel confidence because of the truth!)

“…I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and

from all your idols.” (Eze. 36:25). (pause to let yourself feel confidence because of the truth!)

…I don’t have to burn away the bad stuff myself because it is Spirit of God who “burns away the filth in the daughters of Zion” (Isa. 4:4)… (pause to let yourself feel confidence because of the truth!)

…I don’t have to make myself feel better by the cuts or burns I make on myself. The presence of God is my delight. Lord I turn to trust Your grace—not how much I do to deserve it…

…I don’t have to make myself relax by . By faith I confidently draw near and drink from You Lord… (pause to let yourself feel confidence and be reassured by God’s presence!)

…I don’t have to cut myself when I can’t fix the problems I see. The Lord is my God—His presence is what soothes the disappointment I feel in myself… (pause to hear, believe, and love it as the truth!)

…I don’t have to pride myself by fixing big problems and then turn and hurt myself when I can’t do enough. I turn from quenching my thirst with myself. I turn from faith in my “works” to faith in Your grace… (pause to let yourself feel confidence and be reassured by God’s presence!)

I turn from wanting to feel clean or by hurting myself. I turn from wanting pleasure, control, or reassurance by hurting myself. I reject and renounce self-mutilation as a way to avoid trusting the power of the cleansing and forgiveness of God… (pause to hear, believe, and love it as the truth!)

…I turn my soul from faith in myself for the purity and cleansing I need. I set my heart to turn and trust God to wash me clean—the cleansing of God is far more powerful than all my weaknesses, imperfection, and sin… (pause to let yourself feel confidence because of the truth!)

“…you will rejoice in the Lord, You will glory in the Holy One of Israel. The afflicted and needy are seeking water, but there is none, And their tongue is parched with thirst; I, the Lord, will answer them Myself, As the God of Israel I will not forsake them. I will open rivers on the bare heights And springs in the midst of the valleys; I will make the wilderness a pool of water And the dry land fountains of water.” (Isa. 41:16-18).

“Do not call to mind the former things, Or ponder things of the past. Behold, I will do something new, Now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, Rivers in the desert..To give drink to My chosen people. The people whom I formed for Myself, Will declare My praise.”

(Isa. 43:18-21). (pause to let yourself feel confidence because of the truth!)

“…he who comes to God must believe…that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” (Heb. 11:6).

Lord, “You are my hiding place and my shield…” (Psa. 119:114)

“…the Lord will not abandon His people on account of His great name…” (1 Sam. 12:22)

“I will say to the Lord, ‘My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!’” (Psa. 91:2)

“It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man.” (Psa. 118:8)

“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” (Psa. 73:26 NIV)…

“…I have hope in Him.” (Lam. 3:24) (pause to let yourself feel confidence because of the truth!)

“Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who hope in the Lord.” (Psa. 31:24) “…Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him for the help of His presence.” (Psa. 42:5).

…I don’t have to hurt myself in order to have something else to blame for my lack of being perfect. Only God is perfect. Lord You are my God. I trust Your presence as my perfection…

…I don’t have to pride myself with how much pain I can tolerate. The closeness of God is my power and strength. Lord I love Your grace to draw near. I trust that my eyes are looking at You right here with me now… (pause to let yourself feel confidence and be reassured by God’s presence!)

…I don’t have to pick at my skin in order to call that the reason for my being imperfect. God is my perfection—not my imperfect humanity… (pause to hear, believe, and love it as the truth!)

…I don’t have to distract myself from the truth about me because God is my purity. I love that I can walk in Your Light and that You cleanse me from all unrighteousness (1John 1:7)…

…I don’t have to hurt myself in order to make people see how much I need their help. I put my hope in You Lord—God sees me. My help comes from the Lord. I turn my cries to God because His presence soothes my pain… (pause to let yourself feel confidence and be reassured by God’s presence!)

…I don’t have to make imperfections in my body in order to distract myself from what I feel inside. God is the One who washes me clean. I turn and I trust You Lord to burn away my filth (Isa. 4:4)…

…I don’t have to kill the pain I feel by cutting myself or by . I turn to You Lord—I have nothing else… (pause to hear, believe, and love it as the truth!)

I turn from wanting to feel clean or by hurting myself. I turn from wanting pleasure, control, or reassurance by hurting myself. I reject and renounce self-mutilation as a way to avoid trusting the power of the cleansing and forgiveness of God… (pause to hear, believe, and love it as the truth!)

…I turn my soul from faith in myself for the purity and cleansing I need. I set my heart to turn and trust God to wash me clean—the cleansing of God is far more powerful than all my weaknesses, imperfection, and sin… (pause to let yourself feel confidence because of the truth!)

“I have set the Lord continually before me…my heart is glad and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will dwell securely.” (Psa. 16:8,9)… (pause to let yourself feel confidence and be reassured by God’s presence!)

“…My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped…” (Psa. 28:7)

“…You, O Lord, are…the lifter of my head.” (Psa. 3:3 TAB)

“…You are my hope; O Lord God, You are my confidence…” (Psa. 71:5)

“You are my God…I exalt you.” (Psa. 118:28 NIV)

“…O Lord God, You are my confidence…” (Psa. 71:5)…

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9) (pause to let yourself feel confidence because of the truth!)

“…the Lord is our righteousness” (Jer. 33:16)

“…the Lord…loves righteousness…” (Psa. 11:7). (pause to hear, believe, and love it as the truth!)

…I don’t have to depend on myself to be the purity I need. God is my purity. He is the one who cleanses me. Lord God, I turn from having to depend on myself. You are my God—I have nothing else…

…I don’t have to calm my inner pain by distracting myself with physical pain. God’s presence is what I want and He soothes me best. I turn from depending on myself…

…I don’t have to be cutting on myself in order to distract myself from fear. My humanity never has to be enough because I don’t have to trust myself. The Lord is my God. He is what makes me enough—I have nothing else… (pause to let yourself feel confidence and be reassured by God’s presence!)

…I don’t have to find the forgiveness I need by how much I hurt myself physically. I turn from putting my faith in me. Heart hear this and love it! The Lord is my God—not me. I rest in You Lord…

…I don’t have to calm my insecurities by burning myself or by . I turn from having to earn and deserve drinking God’s presence. I submit to the truth about Your grace Lord. My eyes and my ears are turned to You… (pause to hear, believe, and love it as the truth!)

…I don’t have to punish myself for falling short by cutting myself into conformity. Falling short is the truth about my humanity. God is the one who makes up for what I lack. I will put my confidence in Him…

…I don’t have to force myself into imperfection by cutting myself. I don’t have to distract myself from deeper imperfections by cuts I make in my body. God is my perfection.

…I don’t have to pride myself with how much I can beat myself down. The Lord is my God. He alone is my glory—not myself… (pause to let yourself feel confidence and be reassured by God’s presence!)

…I turn my soul from faith in myself for the purity and cleansing I need. I set my heart to turn and trust God to wash me clean—the cleansing of God is far more powerful than all my weaknesses, imperfection, and sin… (pause to let yourself feel confidence because of the truth!)

“I have set the Lord continually before me…my heart is glad and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will dwell securely.” (Psa. 16:8,9)… (pause to let yourself feel confidence and be reassured by God’s presence!)

“…My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped…” (Psa. 28:7)

“…You, O Lord, are…the lifter of my head.” (Psa. 3:3 TAB)

“…You are my hope; O Lord God, You are my confidence…” (Psa. 71:5)

“You are my God…I exalt you.” (Psa. 118:28 NIV)

“…O Lord God, You are my confidence…” (Psa. 71:5)…

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9) (pause to let yourself feel confidence because of the truth!)

“…the Lord is our righteousness” (Jer. 33:16)

“…the Lord…loves righteousness…” (Psa. 11:7). (pause to hear, believe, and love it as the truth!)

…I don’t have to depend on myself to be the purity I need. God is my purity. He is the one who cleanses me. Lord God, I turn from having to depend on myself. You are my God—I have nothing else…

…I don’t have to calm my inner pain by distracting myself with physical pain. God’s presence is what I want and He soothes me best. I turn from depending on myself…

…I don’t have to be cutting on myself in order to distract myself from fear. My humanity never has to be enough because I don’t have to trust myself. The Lord is my God. He is what makes me enough—I have nothing else… (pause to let yourself feel confidence and be reassured by God’s presence!)

…I don’t have to find the forgiveness I need by how much I hurt myself physically. I turn from putting my faith in me. Heart hear this and love it! The Lord is my God—not me. I rest in You Lord…

…I don’t have to calm my insecurities by burning myself or by . I turn from having to earn and deserve drinking God’s presence. I submit to the truth about Your grace Lord. My eyes and my ears are turned to You… (pause to hear, believe, and love it as the truth!)

…I don’t have to punish myself for falling short by cutting myself into conformity. Falling short is the truth about my humanity. God is the one who makes up for what I lack. I will put my confidence in Him…

…I don’t have to force myself into imperfection by cutting myself. I don’t have to distract myself from deeper imperfections by cuts I make in my body. God is my perfection.

…I don’t have to pride myself with how much I can beat myself down. The Lord is my God. He alone is my glory—not myself… (pause to let yourself feel confidence and be reassured by God’s presence!)

…I turn my soul from faith in myself for the purity and cleansing I need. I set my heart to turn and trust God to wash me clean—the cleansing of God is far more powerful than all my weaknesses, imperfection, and sin… (pause to let yourself feel confidence and be reassured by God’s presence!)

“…draw near…in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean…and our bodies washed with pure water” (Heb. 10:19 and 22); “…washed…in the Spirit of our God.” (1 Cor. 6:11)

“…I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols.” (Eze. 36:25)

“…the Lord has washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion…by the spirit of judgement and the spirit of burning,” (Isa. 4:4) (pause to let yourself feel confidence and be reassured by God’s presence!)

“I will cleanse them from all their iniquity by which they have sinned against Me…” (Jer. 33:8)

“I have wiped out your transgressions like a thick cloud, and your sins like a heavy mist. Return to Me, for I have redeemed you.” (Isa. 44:22) (pause to let yourself feel confidence because of it!)

“…by the sanctifying work of the Spirit…sprinkled with His blood…” (1 Peter 1:2)

“It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man.” (Psa. 118:8)

“…the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out.” (John 6:37) “…none of those who take refuge in Him will be condemned.” (Psa. 34:22)…

…the protection I need is not to use anger to force myself into a cocoon of depression so I can hide there. Lord, I love that depression is not the best refuge that is realistic for me—You offer me far more; I don’t have to be afraid of You… (pause to hear, believe, and love it as the truth!)

…the protection I need is not from finding refuge in depression when I lose hope to glory in God here and now. And, I don’t have to use sleep as a way to escape when I get depressed. The Lord is my God and I turn to His presence for what soothes and protects me. The presence of God is my escape when I hurt…

…the protection I need is not by using sin as a tool that forces me into the cocoon of depression—God is a refuge that is safer because His closeness is a refuge of power and strength…(pause to believe and love it!)

…anger toward myself is not the power that I love. It is God’s power and glory satisfy that me (Psa 63:1-5). Hearing and believing the truth changes me far better than anger — self-directed anger doesn’t achieve the righteousness of God (James1:20)… (pause to let yourself feel confidence because of the truth!)

…I don’t have to dull my thirst for God using self-hate as a tool to keep me hiding in depression—I can fortress myself in God. The glory of the Lord can be my “rear guard” (Isa. 58:8)…

…I turn from hiding myself in depression and I turn to hide myself in God—His presence given freely by His grace, is safer, stronger, more kind, more tangible and a far better way to soothe my pain. God is my safe refuge of power and strength. I am trusting that my eyes are looking at God’s power and radiance all around and touching me here… (pause to let yourself feel confidence from it!)

… (Your name) , it isn’t about my being good enough to deserve God’s presence. I turn my heart to trust that “…the Lord is our righteousness.” (Jer. 33:16)… (pause to hear, believe, and love it as the truth!)

… (Your name) , I turn the loves of my heart to find refuge in God. “…the nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord God my refuge…” (Psa. 73:28). “…God said, “I will dwell in them and walk among them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people” (2Cor 6:16).

… (Your name) , God says that “…I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you…” (Eze. 36:25). I am confident that for me it is “…sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.” (2 Thess. 2:13). (pause to let yourself feel confidence because of the truth!)

… (Your name) , “I have set the Lord continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken…my heart is glad and my glory rejoices; my flesh also will dwell securely.” (Psa. 16:8,9).

… (Your name) , “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the defense of my life; whom shall I dread? Though a host encamp against me, my heart will not fear; though war arise against me, in spite of this I shall be confident.

One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord and to meditate in His temple. For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle; in the secret place of His tent He will hide me; He will lift me up on a rock”

(Psa. 27:1 and 3,4,5). (pause to let yourself feel confidence and be reassured by God’s presence!)

…the protection I need is not by preoccupation with self-hate and depression in order to avoid the presence of God. I am turning my heart to trust the closeness of the kingdom of God as my safe refuge of strength .. (pause to hear, believe, and love it as the truth!)

…the protection I need is not by using self-hate and depression as tools to dull my thirst for God—I don’t have to hide from Him because it is by my faith in Him that I have His approval and His pleasure—it is far better to hide in Him… (let yourself feel confidence from the closeness of God’s power and glory!)

…heart listen and love the truth that the pain from depression will never increase God’s love or His acceptance toward me… (pause to let yourself feel confidence because of the truth!)

…heart, hear and believe that the protection I need is not to use sin as a way to sabotage myself with the depression that results. And, I don’t have to use sleep as a way to escape when I get depressed. The Lord is my God and I turn to His presence for what soothes and protects me. The presence of God is my escape and my hiding place… (pause to believe and love His presence in that way!)

I turn from wanting to depressed in order to protect myself. I reject and renounce depression. I turn to You Lord. By faith, my eyes are on the strong power and glory of God that shines from Him onto me here…

…I turn from hiding myself in depression and I turn to hide myself in God—His presence given freely by His grace, is safer, stronger, more kind, more tangible and a far better way to soothe my pain. By faith Lord, I am trusting that my eyes are looking at You with me here…

… (Your name) , it is either find a false sense of security in depression or it is the presence of God. Heart hear this: God is a better refuge because it is by the radiance of the glorified Christ upon me that I “…put on the armor of light…put on the Lord Jesus Christ…” (Rom. 13:12 and 14).

… (Your name) , I am confident about the power of God to make me acceptable. I set my heart to trust

God to do this for me: “…the Lord has washed away the filth…by…the spirit of burning,” (Isa. 4:4)

… (Your name) , “the Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the defense of my life…” (Psa. 27:1); “God is to us a God of deliverances…” (Psa. 68:20);

… (Your name) , I am saying to God that “You are my hiding place…” (Psa. 32:7); “…My soul clings to You…” (Psa. 63:8) —and not to depression. I rest in the presence of God: “…I have made the Lord God my refuge…” (Psa. 73:28). (pause to let yourself feel confidence and be reassured by God’s presence!)

… (Your name) , God’s presence is my refuge: “On God my salvation and my glory rest; The rock of my strength, my refuge is in God.” (Psa. 62:7); “I will say to the Lord, ‘My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!’” (Psa. 91:2). (pause to let yourself feel confidence from God’s presence!)

… (Your name) , God is a better place to hide because Lord, “When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You.” (Psa. 56:3); God has promised with an “…everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your descendants…”

(Gen. 17:7; and also Gal. 3:29); “I love You, O Lord, my strength.” (Psa. 18:1).

… (Your name) , punishing myself with self-contempt and depression will never earn the forgiveness I need—the power of the cross is greater and is enough for me. I can trust the power of the forgiveness of God…

(pause to hear, believe, and love it as the truth!)

…By faith I am trusting that my eyes are looking at Your power and glory Lord: “…You are my God…My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You…Thus I have seen You in the sanctuary, to see Your power and Your glory…My soul is satisfied…” (Psa. 63:1,2,5). (pause to hear, believe, and love it as the truth!)

… (Your name) , the protection I need is not by using depression as a way to harden myself toward people who might reject me. And, I don’t have to use sleep as a way to escape when I get depressed. The Lord is my God and I turn to His presence for what soothes and protects me… (pause to love it as the truth!)

… (Your name) , I set my heart to trust the presence of God as my security and defender. Lord, “You are my hiding place and my shield…” (Psa. 119:114). “…God said, “I will dwell in them and walk among them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people” (2Cor 6:16). By faith, I am trusting that my eyes are looking at the great power and strength of my God close, all around, and touching me here…

… (Your name) , heart hear this: “The Lord bless you…the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” (Num. 6:24-26 NIV).

… (Your name) , hear this! “You will not be afraid of the terror by night, or of the arrow that flies by day; of the pestilence…or of the destruction…it shall not approach you…For you have made the Lord…even the Most High, your dwelling place” (Psa. 91:5-9). “Praise the Lord, O my soul!” (Psa. 146:1).

… (Your name) , let yourself love that you don’t have to be afraid about not having enough discipline to keep drinking from God – use your neediness as motivation! I can keep drinking from God because I love glory and power – and my God is a radiant fountain of glory and power! And heart, I am letting myself love that my need is great enough that it helps me to keep the “drinking straw” of my inner being pointed toward the Lord and His kingdom all around me and close to me here.

… (Your name) , I turn my heart from loving the “protective” a cocoon of depression. And, I “cling” to the kingdom of God around me here, by resting the weight of my entire being, like I were holding a coat onto me in a wind storm, by letting the pockets support the weight of my hands and arms.

… (Your name) , my refuge for being safe is the closeness of God and His kingdom around me here. Lord, I love that You are a refuge of great goodness, strength, and power. I set my heart to find security by trusting that Your power is all around me here.

… (Your name) , “God is not a man, that He should lie…” (Num. 23:19): “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; my shield…my salvation, my stronghold.” (Psa. 18:2)… (pause to let yourself feel confidence and be reassured by God’s presence!)

… (Your name) , I love that I can receive from the radiance of God like a sponge. I CAN draw near to God and my need is so great, that the more I love and enjoy being secure and strong in God’s presence, the more it helps motivate me to keep the “drinking straw” of my inner being, pointed toward the closeness of Lord and His kingdom 24 hours-a-day.

…Heart, rejoice in the truth that I don’t have to achieve human standards of perfection and beauty. I turn from wanting my own beauty to be what feeds me. I am setting my heart to enjoy taking refuge inside Your perfection and beauty all around me Lord. You are my God and I will feed on You. I am trusting that my eyes are looking at Your beauty and perfection right up close to me, touching me all around. I love You Lord…

…Heart, rejoice that I don’t have to feed myself with how well I have earned their worship. I don’t even have to want that because I turn to you Lord—I will trust Your grace for quenching my needy desires…

…Heart, rejoice that I don’t have to push myself to measure up to the standards that others set for me. Lord You are my standard—my banner that covers me. Oh, how I love that You are with me here, Lord…

…Heart, rejoice in the truth that I don’t have to trust myself for perfection in how I look because wearing God’s presence around me is my beauty. Lord I love how good Your closeness looks… (believe it)

…Heart, rejoice that I don’t have to want the eyes of men on me. I turn to You Lord. Your eyes on me are far more thrilling, safer, something I can enjoy without holding back. I turn and I love You Lord. I am trusting that my eyes are on You Lord and that Your eyes are on me… (pause to feel reassured by it!)

…Heart, rejoice in the truth that I don’t have to thrill myself with how well I control and put other people down. God is sovereign—not me. I turn to You Lord. I turn my soul from how well I exalt myself over others as my security. God is my security. I love You Lord… (pause to feel confidence and to love God!)

…Heart, rejoice in the truth that I don’t have to thrill myself with my looks or with my body. I turn my affections to You Lord. I take refuge inside Your beauty and love. And I love Your closeness God…

…I grab my soul and I turn it away from my having to feed myself with my own attractiveness. Instead of that, I am trusting that my eyes are looking at the power, beauty, and attractiveness of God all around me here: Lord, “…You are my God…My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You…Thus I have seen You in the sanctuary, to see Your power and Your glory…My soul is satisfied…” (Psa. 63:1,2,5). And, my praise is toward the closeness of God, NOT myself…

“For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in lovingkindness to all who call upon You” (Psa. 86:5); “…draw near…in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean…and our bodies washed with pure water” (Heb. 10:19 and 22); “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out.” (John 6:37). (pause to believe and love the God who is close!)

…By faith I am trusting that my eyes are looking at Your power and glory Lord: “…You are my God…My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You…Thus I have seen You in the sanctuary, to see Your power and Your

glory…My soul is satisfied…” (Psa. 63:1,2,5).

“…the nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord God my refuge…” (Psa. 73:28); “…none of those who take refuge in Him will be condemned.” (Psa. 34:22). (pause to feel confidence from it!)

“…the Lord is our righteousness” (Jer. 33:16); “…the Lord…loves righteousness…” (Psa. 11:7); “…the Lord takes pleasure in His people…” (Psa. 1149:4); “…great is your love toward me…” (Psa. 86:13). I love that it is safe to direct my heart toward You Lord because You are holy, righteous, and good; “…the Lord is good…” (Psa. 135:3);

“…Holy is He.” (Psa. 99:3); “You are good and do good…” (Psa. 119:68).

…Heart, rejoice that I don’t have to hide myself by being smaller and going unnoticed. The Lord is my God—His closeness is my reason for confidence. The closeness of God reassures me…

…Heart, rejoice in the truth that I don’t have to be envious of the power that men have. Lord Your power is far greater and You are my God. I love the closeness of Your strength and power Lord. I turn my heart to feed on You by enjoying that Your power and beauty ARE here with me… (pause to love God!)

…Heart, rejoice in the truth that I don’t have to feel shunned by God when others turn away and reject me. I grab my soul and I turn it from pressure to measure up in order to trust that I can let God draw near to me. Lord I turn and put my trust in Your grace… (pause to be thankful and love God for the truth!)

…Heart, rejoice in the truth that I don’t have to feed on glory from being critical of myself or others. I grab my soul and I turn it to trust and enjoy believing that God IS my glory. I turn and I rest in Your grace to draw near to me Lord—not in what I have achieved or earned… (pause to feel confidence from it!)

…Heart, rejoice in the truth that I don’t have to achieve a place of refuge by being critical of myself or others. When I feel the pain of their rejection I will run to you Lord. I turn to trust God’s grace to draw near. I take refuge inside the love of God around me here… (pause to believe and love it as the truth!)

…Heart, rejoice that I don’t have to find motivation by being more critical of myself. My energy for motivation comes from the thrill of exalting God. I love that single-hearted dependence on God to quench my thirst strongly exalts and honors Him—even when nobody here sees… (pause to hear and love it)

…I grab my soul and I turn it away from my having to depend on myself or other people. I rest into depending on God for quenching my thirst. By faith, I am trusting that my eyes are looking at the God and His beauty all around me here. Lord, I am setting my heart to love finding refuge inside the power and the extreme beauty of the kingdom of God. Lord, YOUR closeness to me is my beauty. And, my praise is toward YOU God, NOT myself… (pause to believe and love God!)

“…come to Me and drink…But this He spoke of the Spirit” (John 7:37 and 39); “…come to the waters…delight yourself in abundance.” (Isa. 55:1,2); “for through Him we…have our access in one Spirit to the Father.” (Eph. 2:18; see also Heb. 4). (let yourself feel confidence from the closeness of God’s attractiveness!)

I can draw near to God because “…we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him” (Eph. 3:12); “…draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:16). (let yourself feel confidence from the closeness of God’s power and glory!)

Rather than daydreaming of earthly glories and setting those before me — it is by faith that I can do what David did when he said, “I have set the Lord continually before me; Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” (Psa. 16:8). (let yourself feel confidence from the closeness of God’s attractiveness!)

I love that I don’t have to stay away from God because He forgives me freely; “For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive…” (Psa. 86:5); “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9); “I…am the one who wipes out your transgressions for My own sake; And I will not remember your sins.” (Isa. 43:25); “I have wiped out your transgressions like a thick cloud, and your sins like a heavy mist. Return to Me, for I have redeemed you.” (Isa. 44:22).

…Heart, rejoice in the truth that I don’t have to worry about not having what it takes to drink from God. I turn and I put my faith in You Lord. Heart hear this: Relationship with God is not based on how well I deserve it. God is my glory not me. Oh, how I love You Lord… (pause to feel confidence from it!)

…Heart, rejoice in the truth that I don’t have to hide from feelings that is something desperately wrong with me. The pain I feel is from trying to feed on earthly sources and not on God. Lord I love that I can turn from faith in myself and turn to trust the fountain of God… (pause to love God and enjoy Him!)

…Heart, rejoice in the truth that I don’t have to feed on my human perfection and beauty. I turn from wanting my own beauty to be what feeds me. I am setting my heart to trust You as my God – not myself. So, I set my heart to take refuge inside the power, beauty, and the perfection of the kingdom of God right up close to me, touching me all around. By faith, I am trusting that my eyes are looking at You Lord…

…Heart, rejoice in the truth that I don’t have to set my hope on achieving the standards that earn their pleasure. I set my heart to drink from God and nothing else. Lord You are my God—not how well my performance measures up and earns their pleasure… (pause to be thankful and love it as the truth!)

…I grab my soul and I turn it away from my having to depend on myself or other people. Lord, “…You are my God…My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You…Thus I have seen You in the sanctuary, to see Your power and Your glory…My soul is satisfied…” (Psa. 63:1,2,5). Lord, YOU are my glory, my power, and my beauty. I turn from wanting those things to come from me. And, my praise is toward the closeness of God, NOT myself… (pause to believe and love the closeness of God!)

“I will fill the soul of the priests with abundance, And My people will be satisfied with My goodness,’ declares

the Lord.” (Jer. 31:14; see also Exo. 31:18-23). (pause to be thankful and love the God who is close!)

“…you will rejoice in the Lord, You will glory in the Holy One of Israel. The afflicted and needy are seeking water, but there is none, and their tongue is parched with thirst; I, the Lord, will answer them Myself, as the God of Israel I will not forsake them. I will open rivers on the bare heights and springs in the midst of the valleys; I will make the wilderness a pool of water and the dry land fountains of water.” (Isa.

41:16-18). (let yourself feel confidence and to love God because of the truth!)

…By faith I am trusting that my eyes are looking at Your power and glory Lord: “…You are my God…My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You…Thus I have seen You in the sanctuary, to see Your power and Your glory…My soul is satisfied…” (Psa. 63:1,2,5). (let yourself feel confidence and to love God!)

Heart, “Glory in His holy name; Let the heart of those who seek the Lord be glad.” (1 Chron. 16:10)

“…the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out.” (John 6:37). (pause to feel reassured by it!) I delight that “…none of those who take refuge in Him will be condemned.” (Psa. 34:22)…

“…come to the waters…delight yourself in abundance.” (Isa. 55:1,2). (pause to feel reassured by it!)

“But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace.” (Rom. 11:6). (pause to be thankful and love the truth!)

“’For as the waistband clings to the waist of a man, so I made the whole household of Israel and…of Judah cling to Me,’ declares the Lord, ‘that they might be for Me a people, for renown, for praise and for glory; but they did not listen.’” (Jer. 13:11). It will not be that way for me. I turn my heart to cling to the Lord! (let yourself feel confidence and to love God because of the truth!)

…Heart, rejoice in the truth that I don’t have to perform spiritually in order to have closeness with God. I turn and face toward You Lord—I put my trust in God to carry me close. The closeness of God is a greater reality than the material world around me. The kingdom of God is my refuge of beauty and strength…

…Heart, rejoice in the truth that I don’t have to want to be prettier—the attention I would receive would never be enough to quench my thirst. I turn to You Lord. Heart hear this: God is my beauty because I take refuge in You Lord. My eyes are on You God. Thank You for walking with me… (pause to love God!)

…Heart, rejoice in the truth that I don’t have to push myself to prove how smart I am. I will never be smart enough to quench my thirst. I turn to You Lord. I love having the mind of Christ (1 Cor. 2:16)…

…Heart, rejoice in the truth that I don’t have to feed myself with approving or lustful looks from men. Lord it is You who are worthy of their pursuit—not me. I turn and face toward You Lord. I love having Your eyes of love, passion, and kindness on me… (pause to be thankful and love it as the truth!)

…Heart, rejoice in the truth that I don’t have to be unhappy with my body—I don’t even have to be unhappy with my (give an example) . It is God who is my glory, my good, my reason to feel pretty, and strong. God is a refuge of beauty and perfection all around me. I rest in Him—not in myself…

…Heart, rejoice in the truth that I don’t have to protect myself by being angry about my appearance. I turn and face toward You Lord because You are the God who soothes my pain. Thank You Lord that when you draw near to me You bring the kingdom of heaven all around me here… (let yourself feel confidence!)

…Heart, rejoice in the truth that I don’t have to feed myself by pushing until I have their approval. I turn to You Lord. It is Your pleasure that I love. You are the God who quenches my thirst—I have no other option except to trust Your grace. I rest in You… (pause to let yourself feel confidence and to love God!)

…I grab my soul and I turn it away from my having to depend on myself or other people. I rest into loving and believing that God can and will quench my thirst. I set my heart to enjoy and to thrill myself with the presence of God all around me here: Lord, “…You are my God…My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You…Thus I have seen You in the sanctuary, to see Your power and Your glory…My soul is satisfied…” (Psa. 63:1,2,5). Lord, You are my beauty and power, not myself…

I love that I don’t have to avoid drawing near to God—He is kind, slow to anger, and compassionate. “Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; Yes, our God is compassionate.” (Psa. 116:5); “…you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.” (Psa. 86:15 NIV).

“For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for a lifetime…” (Psa. 30:5).

The Lord is my God! “The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail.” (Lam. 3:22). I turn to You Lord, “How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God…” (Psa. 36:7).

“…repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord” (Acts 3:19). (pause to be thankful and love the God who is close!)

“Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder things of the past. Behold, I will do something new, now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the desert..To give drink to My chosen people. The people whom I formed for Myself, will declare My praise.”

(Isa. 43:18-21). (pause to be thankful and love the God who is close!)

…Heart, rejoice in the truth that I don’t have to push myself until I achieve perfection in the eyes of men. I turn my heart from wanting their pursuit. The Lord is my God, my thrill, and my pleasure…

…Heart, rejoice in the truth that I don’t have to hide from the truth about my imperfections. My humanity will never be perfect—I don’t have to depend on myself because God is my perfection, my goodness, my reason for being enough. My eyes are on You Lord—not on myself… (pause to feel reassured by it!)

…Heart, rejoice in the truth that I don’t have to quench my thirst with evidence of how desirable I am to men. I turn to You Lord. I rest into drawing near to God and letting Him draw near to me. I love that I am making the kingdom of God my safe refuge of beauty, majesty, and power… (pause to love God!)

…Heart, rejoice in the truth that I don’t have to want to be more attractive in order to drink from that. The Lord is my God—not how attractive I am to others. The beauty of my humanity will never be enough to quench the thirst of my soul. I turn my eyes to You Lord… (pause to hear, believe, and love the truth!)

…Heart, rejoice that I don’t have to depend on the response of others to my personality—I turn from works that only let me quench my thirst with myself. I turn and put my trust in God. I hide in Him…

…I don’t have to feed myself with the power and control I feel because of the way men look at me. I turn and set God before me—I look at You Lord. Heart hear this! God is my pursuit. God is my first love…

…Heart, rejoice in the truth that I don’t have to push until I can drink from being popular. The Lord is my God. I put my trust in You. I love that it is right for me to trust that I am in the throne room here and that the glorified and risen Christ is with me here. Oh, how I love You Lord… (pause to hear and love it)

…I grab my soul turn it away from having to depend on myself or other people. By faith, my eyes on You Lord. And, I set my heart to feed on the attractiveness of God, whose presence I wear around me here. My praise is toward the closeness of God, NOT myself…

I don’t have to be afraid to let God draw near to me—God will not abandon His people.

“…I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you” (Heb. 13:5).

“…the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.” (1 Peter 2:25). (pause to believe and love God!)

I love that I can trust God! “…the Lord will not abandon His people on account of His great name…” (1 Sam.

12:22). (pause to be thankful and love the God who is close!)

“And those who know Your name will put their trust in You, For You, O Lord, have not forsaken those

who seek You.” (Psa. 9:10). (pause to hear, believe, and love the God who is close!)

Heart, stop fighting against the truth and let yourself believe it! “…He will not fail you…” (Deut. 4:31). “…the Lord will not abandon His people, Nor will He forsake [us, as] His inheritance.” (Psa. 94:14).

“It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man.” (Psa. 118:8). (pause to feel reassured by it!)

I love that You don’t hold back Lord, because “…we…receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” (Gal 3:14); “…it is by faith, in order that it may be in accordance with grace, so that the promise will be guaranteed to all…” (Rom. 4:16). (pause to be thankful and love the God who is close!)

True believers, “…are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.” (Eph. 2:22); And, “…God said,

“I will dwell in them and walk among them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people” (2Cor 6:16).

(pause to be thankful and love the God who is close!)

…Heart, rejoice in the truth that I don’t have to be envious of the power that people have over others. God’s power is far greater. You are my God. I love Your closeness of Your strength and power Lord. I turn and feed myself with You Lord—no power is greater… (pause to believe and love God!)

…I don’t have to measure up to their standards and then feel like I have to quench myself by achieving in other areas. The Lord is my God. I put my faith in His grace to quench my thirst—not in myself…

…Heart, rejoice in the truth that I don’t have to submit to societies demand for my being perfect. The Lord is my perfection—I turn and thrill myself by enjoying the closeness of God’s holiness, perfection, and purity touching me all around. Heart hear this: God is my perfection—not me… (pause to believe it)

…I don’t need to have what it takes to be popular. It is abiding in the substance of Your love and acceptance that thrills me. I turn to God and I love that I can let myself enjoy being loved by You Lord…

…I don’t have to agree with pressure to think of myself as a sexual object. Lord it is with great delight that I turn from feeding on the “looks” I get from men. I set You before me Lord—I hide myself in You Lord…

…Heart, rejoice that I don’t have to deny or hide from how much I hurt inside. The Lord is the God who soothes me. I turn from having to ease my pain by hurting myself with (give an honest example) …

…Heart, rejoice in the truth that I don’t have to make myself hide by putting myself down—Jesus paid the price for my fallenness. The Lord is my God. I trust in You Lord—not how well I punish myself…

…Heart, rejoice that I don’t have to hide behind a personality that makes people think of me as being tough. I turn my soul to the Lord. God is stronger. I love the closeness of Your strength Lord…

…I grab my soul and I turn it away from having to feed on myself or other people. I can and will feed on God. Lord, I set my heart to look at You with me here. Heart, BELIEVE love and enjoy the closeness of God’s power and goodness all around and touching me here. Anything else is idolatry…

Lord, I love that I don’t have to be afraid to draw near to You because You are loving and You take pleasure in

Your people. (let yourself feel confidence from the closeness of God’s power and glory!) “…the Lord loves His people…” (2 Chron. 2:11). (pause to believe and love the God who is close!)

“…the Lord your God turned the curse into a blessing for you because the Lord your God loves you.” (Deut.

23:5). (pause to be thankful and love the God who is close!)

Heart hear this because it applies to me! “…the Lord takes pleasure in His people…” (Psa. 149:4). Oh Lord, “…great is your love toward me…” (Psa. 86:13 NIV). (pause to feel confidence from it!)

“…He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” (Zeph. 3:17 NIV).

“…love is from God…” (1 John 4:7). (pause to be thankful and love the truth!)

Lord I set my heart to trust I can “keep yourselves in the love of God…” (Jude 1:21)

Lord I delight that I am told “…abide in My love.” (John 15:9). (pause to feel confidence from it!) “…God is love, and the one who abides in love, abides in God and God abides in him.” (1 John 4:16).

“May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you.” (Psa. 33:22 NIV).

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” (Deut. 6:5). Heart, rejoice that you can “…cling to Him.” (Deut. 13:4). (pause to love God because of it!)

…Heart, rejoice in the truth that I don’t have to soothe myself when people shun and tease me. I turn from having to punish them for what they do wrong. I turn and I open myself to let God to draw near to me intimately—I have nothing else… (pause to let yourself feel confidence because of the truth!)

…Heart, rejoice in the truth that I don’t have to put my faith in “works” in order to draw near and drink from the river of God’s delights (Psa. 36:7-9). I turn and put my trust Your abundant grace. I take refuge in Your beauty and majesty Lord. And, I trust Your closeness as what makes me worthy—not myself… (pause to feel confidence and to love God because of it!)

…Heart, rejoice in the truth that I don’t have to be insecure about my femininity because it is the closeness of God who is my beauty, my perfection. I trust You to draw near intensely because no earthly “god” is enough for me. The Lord is my God. I love You Lord… (pause to believe and love the God who is close!)

…Heart, rejoice in the truth that I don’t have to punish myself for the harassment they give me. I delight that I don’t have to hiding from God when people make me feel dirty. Lord, I turn and face toward You because You are the one who washes me and makes me clean… (pause to feel confidence from it!)

…Heart, rejoice in the truth that I don’t have to demand that I perform well enough to always please others. I delight that I don’t have to punish myself when I fall short of their expectations. God is my hope of being able to quench my thirsty soul—not other people…. (pause to be thankful and love the truth!)

…Heart, rejoice in the truth that I don’t have to be afraid of being harassed and teased by God—others may but God does not. I turn and I run to You Lord because it is far safer to be near than far away. God is the refuge of comfort that soothes my hurts… (pause to be thankful and love the God who is close!)

body