When You Are Not the Woman You Thought You Would Be

There’s just something about playing dress up and make believe that captures the hearts of young girls. From wearing a princess dress to gently mothering a plastic baby doll, girls can’t wait to play the grown up version of themselves.

As a young girl with stars in her eyes, I would envision “grown-up me” always smiling, never fighting with my make-believe husband and doing my household chores with a joyful heart. Fast forward thirty years from that young dreamer, and when I look in the mirror, I hardly recognize the woman staring back at me.

If most women are honest, somewhere after college, babies, and a mortgage, many feel as though they’ve lost their way in the world. Somehow life has gotten off-course and it’s like you’re wandering in the desert alone in search of answers. Sometimes dreams fade, and you’re caught on a path you never planned on taking. Sometimes you’re lost in the wilderness, looking for true north to guide your way.

On those days or seasons, where you look around and wonder where to go from here, cling to the promise that God doesn’t define you by the labels you give yourself.

He doesn’t call you failure, not enough, exhausted, grumpy, irritated, short-tempered, and all of the mean girl names you repeat in your inner dialogue. He calls you beloved, cherished, and forgiven, and there is power and freedom knowing that the negative self-talk isn’t how He sees you at all.

In fact, when you are covered in the righteousness of Christ in salvation, He sees you as holy and pure. His perfect grace covers all.

That amazing grace, poured so freely at the cross, allows you to experience a clean slate that wipes away all missteps and wrong turns on the path through life. So as you dwell on this place you are now, know that grace gives you a fresh start in the eyes of God.

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23

When the King of Kings can look past where you’ve been and how you got there, don’t let condemnation and fear stop you from forgiving yourself.

That’s right! You have to allow grace to seep in and truly set you free from the bondage of past mistakes, because the place where you’re in right now is not permanent.

God has empowered you through the Holy Spirit with the ability to change.

If you’re feeling trapped by the status-quo and you wonder how you can possibly make progress, remember that God has already given you the power to move on and change your life. The power of the Holy Spirit which dwells within you, has given you the ability to stand firm on God’s promises and to make progress towards the new dreams He’s placed upon your heart.

With the power and strength of the Lord, real change is possible. You are not a slave to your current weight. You are not defined by your financial situation. You don’t have to be a victim of your relationships and feelings.

You are a child of God and His Word is your compass.

When you’re worried about how to proceed or where to go, remember that He is your One True North.

He is your guide on the journey through life. Seek Him and you will find Him. Ask for direction and He will guide you with His Word. Believe that His strength will help you step out in faith and become who He’s called you to be. Believe that if He’s closed a chapter of your life, He will lead you to a new one and will show you the way.

That promise frees you from the shackles of failure and allows the peace of the Lord to eclipse the disappointments and shortcomings of this earthly life. When you keep your eyes focused on His glorious presence, there you can lay down your expectations, trusting that fellowship with Him is the ultimate destination to pursue.

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Sarah Ann

Hello, new friends! I'm Sarah Ann, author at Faith Along the Way, and lover of deep conversations and authentic friendships. I am a perfectly imperfect wife and mom, but am saved by grace. With a child on the Autism Spectrum and one wild toddler, there's never a dull moment in my house! Bargain hunting, promoting health and Young Living Essential Oils are my favorites. I'd be honored if you visited my home on the web HERE, where I inspire hope, encourage faith, and celebrate families!