Known & Loved

Let’s be honest. Some days we wake up feeling like a soggy cornflake in the cereal bowl of life. We crawl out of bed and perhaps look into the mirror and shy away from the image staring back at us. We doom scroll through social media and see our younger brothers launching startups, our cousins running marathons and managing their time to the T, and our neighbors’ cats becoming TikTok famous. Meanwhile, we’re just trying to remember if we brushed our teeth this morning and most days it feels like we are on a hamster wheel or chasing our tails on this journey called life. I’ve been there a million times myself.

And the words start creeping in quietly but loud enough to disturb our peace.

“I’m not good enough.”
“I’m not smart enough.”
“I’m not thin enough.”
“I’m not brave enough.”
“I’m not enough.”

But let’s interrupt our regularly scheduled self-doubt with a divine truth bomb:
“I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.” (Psalm 139:14)

That’s God’s Word. And it’s about YOU.

The Inner Critic vs. The Divine Creator

Maybe you’re second-guessing every move like a squirrel crossing the road. Maybe you’re stuck in a loop of “I’ll never be good-looking,” “I’ll never succeed,” or the darkest lie of all: “I’d be better off gone.”

I’ve been there. I’ve hosted pity parties with full catering. I’ve played mental whack-a-mole with every thought that dared pop up and played embarrassing situations over like a broken record-player. But here’s the thing: God doesn’t second-guess us. He doesn’t look at you and say, “Oops, I meant to make someone else.”

His words are:

• “My grace is sufficient for you.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)
• “You are chosen.” (1 Peter 2:9)
• “I will never leave you.” (Hebrews 13:5)
• “I have plans for you—plans of peace and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

Biblical Underdogs and Divine Comebacks

Let’s talk about David. He was hiding in caves, dodging spears, and constantly on the run from his enemies. His life and even his family was on the life. In his despair, he reflected, “Why, my soul, are you downcast?” (Psalm 42:5). He knew that God cared for and loved him, and he put his hope in God and praised Him—even when life looked like a disaster.

Gideon? He was called by God to conquer the enemy and save God’s people. He responded with: “I’m the weakest and the least in my family” God replied, “I will be with you.” (Judges 6:16). And Gideon trusted and gained the victory with God at his side.

Jeremiah was also called to share with God’s people. His response was: “I’m too young. I don’t know how to speak.” God said, “Do not be afraid. I am with you, and I will give you the words to speak.” (Jeremiah 1:8, 9). And he went on to do amazing things!

Same God. Same promises. Same presence. For you and me today.

So What Do We Do With All This?

Let’s get practical. Because knowing you’re loved is one thing—living like it is another.

🧠 Renew Your Mind
Ask God to swap out your mental playlist of old belief, thought patterns, and what we think about ourselves with what God says about us in His Word. Romans 12:2 says, “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” That means ditching the lies and downloading truth.

📖 Use Your “It Is Written”
Jesus didn’t argue with the devil—He quoted Scripture. We can too. 2 Corinthians 10:5 tells us to “take every thought captive.” So when doubt shows up, arrest it with the living Word of God.

🗣️ Speak Life
Talk to yourself like someone God loves—because you are. Say it out loud: “I am chosen. I am loved. I am not a mistake.” And then claim God’s promises over you. We need to learn to speak truth to ourselves to overcome the feelings of doubt, fear, and despair and the negative thoughts.

🎶 Sing Like Nobody’s Listening (Except God)
Mary Slessor said, “I sing the Doxology and dismiss the devil.” Amy Carmichael believed Satan couldn’t stand a true song. So sing—even if it sounds like a goat yodeling. Heaven hears. Hell flees.

Final Thoughts: You’re Not Just Enough—You’re God’s Masterpiece

You are not the sum of your failures. You are not the echo of your insecurities. You are not the shadow of someone else’s success.

You are fearfully and wonderfully made.
You are marvellous.
You are known.
You are loved.
You are chosen.
You are His.

So the next time our inner critic starts yapping, let’s both remind it:
“I will praise you; I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are your works; —and my soul knows it right well.”

Let’s both go and live it out daily!