Proverbs 31:10
10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. 

You are precious in the eyes of God. Once you know your worth, you will not allow anyone to take advantage of you.  You will understand that you set the tone for how people treat you.    
Understanding your worth will keep you from making people a priority that can only make you an option.  

It is good to have self-esteem so that you don't end up with an inferiority complex.  However, some Christians are guilty of having a superiority complex.  They feel that they are better than the lost because they have chosen the more excellent way (1 Corinthians 12:31).  However, my mother always told me:  "Although no one is better than you, you are no better than anyone else."

John 3:16
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

He loved THE WORLD - not just you!  So, don't get it twisted.  You were to die for - but so was everyone else!

​Pain and Suffering
It is really odd that when you Google the word ‘pain’, the physical pain is what initially appears.  According to Wikipedia, it is an unpleasant feeling often caused by intense or damaging stimuli.  That is so true.  Although that definition refers to physical pain [because it is followed by examples of stubbing a toe, getting cut with a knife, etc.], it is true of mental pain as well. 
Wikipedia also suggests that, in order to get the meaning of pain other than physical pain, one should search under suffering.  Suffering, it says, is an experience of unpleasantness and aversion associated with the perception of harm or threat of harm in an individual.
It goes on to explain that suffering can be physical or mental, vary in frequency, intensity and duration.  It is also subject to the opinion of the person that is suffering, as well as other people.  It is a process that may be considered avoidable or unavoidable, useful or useless, and deserved or undeserved.  It actually seems to suggest that physical pain is validated (note that examples were given that would ‘understandably’ cause pain); but, mental pain (and/or suffering) is not.
A person that is suffering may go through moments of regret and reflection:

• Where did I go wrong?
• Why did I not see this coming?
• Why me?
• Am I a bad person?
• What did I do to deserve this?
• What can I do now?

These questions usually do not have easy answers.  Many times, you never really receive an answer.  Sometimes those questions can only be answered by God and the people that hurt you. 
The word ‘pain’ makes one think of sudden intensity that will soon dissipate.  Suffering seems more like a process that will continue for an indeterminate amount of time.  In fact, suffering was described as an experience rather than a feeling.
The pain that I felt during labor was intense, to say the least.  I felt like my body was being ripped apart by the contractions.  It seemed like an eternity before I was able to get an epidural.  I remember that it hurt really badly; but, I cannot remember how the pain felt.  People would tell me that you will forget all about the pain after you see your baby.  I could not believe them before it actually happened.  If anyone asked me to describe what the pain of contractions felt like on the day AFTER I had the baby, I could not tell them.  I cannot tell you now….and I have had four kids!!  I cannot even describe the pain of an incision after a Caesarean section….and I have had two!!  I remember that it hurt, but I don’t remember the pain.
 
The thing about mental suffering, is that you remember BOTH.  You remember the pain, and the suffering.  It can be decades later, but you will remember how you felt in that moment.  Sometimes, you can actually feel the pain all over again:

• The sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach
• The aching in your heart
• The feeling that you cannot breathe
• The tears that never seem to end.
• The inability to focus on anything else but the trigger that evoked the response of suffering

These feelings are very real to a person experiencing mental suffering.  The person on the outside may feel that the person ‘should have gotten over that by now’, but to the person feeling the pain, it seems impossible to forget.  Sometimes, the person feels that they will NEVER get over what has happened. 
So, what is the answer?  As a Pastor’s wife, I am supposed to tell you:

• Let the Joy of the Lord be your strength(Neh 8:10)
• Weeping may endure for the night, but joy cometh in the morning (Psamls 30:5)
• You are the head and not the tail, above and not beneath (Deut 28:13)
• Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.(Phil 4:6-7)

These things sound good, and are Bible-based, but they will not give you instant joy.  Unfortunately, pain and suffering is a process that you must go through for an indeterminate amount of time.  Just try this until the storm is over:
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.  Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. (Phil 4: 8-9)

God loves you!!!  He will give you Perfect Peace!!
Lady J
 

Your worth is not determined by man.  God has already established our worth in His Word. 
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16
If God says that you are worth Him sending His ONLY Son to die for your sins, what more proof do you need?  The next time someone questions your worth, tell that person, “The opinion of an irrelevant person pales in comparison to the opinion of a RELEVANT GOD.  I am what God says I am!”


YOUR SISTER
​LADY J

The Guidance of God
Read Psalm 25:1-22

In Psalm 25 David points out that we can experience God's guidance if we meet certain spiritual conditions. The first is confidence. We give evidence of our confidence in God through worship. We need to pray so that we might have our hearts right with Him. Waiting is another evidence (vv. 3, 5, 21). Every time I've rushed ahead, I've gotten into trouble. In verses 4 and 5 David talks about his willingness to follow. God won't show us His will unless we're willing to do it. Another evidence of our confidence is the witness of the Word (v. 5). When we have big decisions to make, we must spend time in the Scriptures.

Penitence also is a condition for receiving God's guidance. David is sorry for his sins. He wants God to remember His tender mercies, not David's transgressions. When God remembers someone, He goes to work for that person. He never forgets His children. David asks God for mercy (vv. 10,16) because he is concerned about his past sins, and he doesn't want those sins to get him off target.

Obedience is another condition. We are all sinners. We don't have to be perfect for God to guide us, just obedient. The word humble means "yielded to God." If we obey what God already has told us, then He will show us the next step. His guidance is not a spotlight; it's a lamp that illumines each step.

We also must exhibit reverence. God will guide us in our choices if we fear Him. The word secret (v. 14) means "friendship." Godly fear doesn't mean we are slaves; it means we have loving reverence and respect for a gracious and kind God.

Finally, we must show perseverance. It's not always easy to know and do the will of God. Sometimes when we're seeking the Lord, circumstances get worse, and we become lonely. David was lonely and afflicted, but he remembered that God was with him. Because of that, he maintained his integrity and obedience.

Do you need God's guidance today? Make verses 1-5 your prayer for His guidance in your life. Place your confidence in Him and yield to Him in spite of circumstances. You will please God and help accomplish His purposes in your life and in the lives of others.