The Rest of Your Story 14: What would you edit?

To start from part one, click here.

As women, it seems we're standing ready with our red pens. Rather than loving words, we want to cross through parts of who we are and rewrite until we're someone else.

But God seems to like who He made us in the first place. He just wants us to be that woman for Him.

Stephen Covey once said, "When you pick up a stick, you get both ends." In our stories, a "stick" might look like...

Anxiety.....................................Sensitivity..................................Compassion

Sensitivity in itself is a neutral personality trait. On our own it can lead us toward worry (negative). With Jesus it can lead us toward compassion (positive).

The goal isn't eliminating parts of who we are but rather letting God gently move us closer to the positive in our stories. 

For example, the Apostle Paul was belligerent, overzealous, and an oppressive leader. After Jesus appeared to him, Paul was determined, enthusiastic, and an encouraging leader. Same characteristics...different ends of the stick. (Acts 9)

It's as if God said, "Okay, Paul, I purposely created you in certain ways. You're going to use those for me now, and that changes everything."

As a counseling intern, I saw women become frustrated, depressed, and stuck as they tried to "edit out" parts of who God made them. I've often done the same. Let's not waste our energy or emotions. There's too much good ahead!  

God wants our red pens so He can redeem all of who we are and bring joy in The End.  

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TODAY'S QUESTION: What's one little thing that helps you give God the red pen and make peace with who you are? 

Every comment during the 21-day challenge = an entry for $50 to Dayspring.com!

Are you a blogger? Every Friday we'll have a "Rest of Your Story" round-up! Just answer any of the questions for the week as a post on your blog, include a link to this series, then add your blog to the list on Friday. We'll get to visit you and you'll get another entry in the giveaway! 

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Comments

[Elvera]

Focus on God instead on myself

[Gail Jopko]

You are so right. I did indeed keep thinking back on the comment I'd posted and wanting to edit out parts (most?) of it.

I kept thinking, now you've done it; everyone will know you're so full of yourself. I wanted to re-read and delete any parts that might not be God-honouring.

Yes! I've often wanted to do that with written prayer, too, but God's way is to gently remind me that "what is written stays written" (prayers can't be un-prayed, though they can be adjusted...)

And what encourages me most is His Word, eg. "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus".

Lord, help me to be honest and unhidden. In Your Holy Name, Amen.

[Mari Larkin]

I have to stay confident in how God made me. He made me the way I am for a reason, and I should trust His design. When I am able to wholly do that, then I can be my best for him. I am a very up front and honest, to the point, kind of personality. That can be used to be very judgmental (negative) or insightful and discerning (positive). The key for me is do I temper that with myself or with Christ?Not sure that's what you are looking for...but that is what came to me.

[wendy thomas]

thanks Holly it was a helpful way to look at what I see as negative traits in myself and look for what they would be positively with God rather than just trying to pretend they didnt exist or get rid of them.I guess its like the verse be renewed by the transformation of your mind!

[Becky]

Dear Holley,

Yes, I would gladly give God my red pen. I'm much too eager to use it but trust God to use it with His wisdom and for His plan.

I recently read a quote that I love:

"If God had wanted me otherwise, He would have created me otherwise." (~Johann von Goethe)

...and now you post this today. How cool is that?

Yes, I will turn in my red pen because I think if we are all who God made us to be then, together, we have the awesome opportunity to represent His love in the world.

Thank you for making me think good thoughts again! Blessings!

[Denise]

I have believed for a long time the only red pen was in the hands of my critical parent... long gone... but looky here... I have red hands too...It's time I stopped denying, stopped blaming and give this over to God.I am His.

[Lauri]

Prayer. Praying is the one act that has me giving the red pen to God. I need to do this more often. Like I said in my previous comment, I need to let go of controlling outcomes in my life & let God continuine making me in the person he wants me to be.I also need to start taking more time to read the word of God. This too will give me peace & help me to give up my red pen.It is going to be very hard to give my red pen up but, I will try my hardest.Thank youLauri

[MyStory of HIStory]

Hebrews 10(NIV): ....v4 because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.

This verse helps me "give God the red pen" because it seems inherent in it is the understanding that He has already done what is impossible for us to do for ourselves (made perfect forever) ....& the "rest of the story" (being made Holy) is a lifelong process from that point on. God's Word is full of examples of what this process might look like in individual lives. I hafta think we each can SO relate to one or a few of them very closely ... & perhaps to all of them to some degree.

[nancy]

"One little thing that helps me give God the red pen?" I'm afraid that my stubbornness requires a Big Thing for me to hand over that red pen... but that's it right there. Stubbornness can be a very negative trait or God can use it for His glory, giving me persistance in the face of trials, or the ability to stand firm in Him. And once I start thinking this way, I'm suddenly seeing several more parts of who I am that can quickly turn into God-honoring traits if I will simply turn them over to God... Lord, I am Yours today...

[Maria Jones-Davidson]

Holley, thank you for that once again... I find I only pick up the pen when there is a nudge from the Lord Himself, causing the pen to be useful when called upon. Otherwise I really don't feel like using the red pen most times, I don't feel like it, I'm tired, weary and I need rest at times, I don't say yes to offers... But God nudges me by His Spirit things will be okay, you just trust me... God then goes on to tell me to make some improvements... The red pen is really in God's hand already and I know the more I hand in the pen to my God the more things become possible and the writing of my story legible! I like your words Holley when you said living words instead of red pen. It's also great to fathom how much God can do when we turn in the red pen and it becomes redeeming... Praise God!