Dear Accepted,

Dear Worthy,

Dear Capable,

Dear Free,

You first deserve to know that these are what your Creator calls you. Don't they sound much sweeter than the names you've taken on from that boy that somehow breaks your heart over and over again? What about that girl who always seems two steps ahead of you? More importantly, don't these names sound a little better than the ones you've come to call yourself? I know it feels like you can't do anything right, and that it's starting to take too much effort to even try to anymore. I know that you feel stuck here. I know that it's all happening at once, and I know you feel like you've ruined it all. I also know that it hurts. But you should know that once upon a time, you were created with a flawless and unique plan and identity.

Although to some you can never do anything right and your best seems to never be accepted, to the Holy One you are completely justified. Romans 5:1 tells us "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." One translation of this verse even says that we can now "have it all together." Even in this difficult season of your life, you can have peace and confidence because Jesus made you acceptable. You're enough. It says so throughout God's entire love letter to you.

I know that you may feel like you are worth close to nothing, but did you know that the One who created the entire world calls you "worth far more than diamonds" in Proverbs 31? Did you know that Jesus deemed you worthy the moment he shed his blood for you? Did you know that we are the only creation made in the image of God? Out of everything He created, you were wonderfully made in His image. Next time you look in the mirror and mutter those words under your breath, think about how they must sound to the One who took the time to know each hair on your head and form your life before you ever existed. You are worth far more than the most beautiful thing on earth. You're worthy of praise, love, and grace. Again, as the song goes, "for the Bible tells [you] so."

How many nights have you spent hidden underneath the words "I just can't do it anymore?" I know there are so many things that you would do if only you could. If only you had the strength, the energy, the skill, the influence, or the capability. Here's the good news: you are capable. You've definitely heard Philippians 4:13 say how you can do all things through Christ, but don't take the popular verse for granted. Jesus has made you complete, and through him you can conquer anything because He conquered death for you. You have been lovingly selected to do good works for God's glory and to bear fruit in your life. You can do it. Guaranteed.

It's getting you down and you're starting to feel like you're never going to get out from under it. You're tied up by it. It's all preventing you from feeling success or joy. Though you may feel like this now, the truth is that you've been set free indeed. There is endless freedom, love, and grace in Jesus. John 8:36 is a promise that "if the Son sets you free, you are free indeed" and the cool thing is that the Son has set you free. Rest in that. Grow in that. Live free indeed because of who you are called to be.

No matter what you're facing or how down you feel, know that 2nd Thessalonians tells us His grace is behind and through all of this. Your troubles are assuredly making you fit to serve Him and others around you in amazing ways. The Word tells us that Jesus will come back and give us all the break and the rest we were promised, but until then, the Word also says that it will all amount to something. You are so precious, so strong, and so flawless. You do have hope, and His name is Jesus.