Lemon8Lifestyle community
Alexa Deffes
Alexa Deffes

150 followers

Follow
Follow
Follow
A black and white photo shows a woman with long dark hair holding a baby. The woman smiles gently while the baby looks forward. Text overlay reads "what God has been teaching me -" and "lemon8 @alexadeffes", introducing a personal reflection.
A black and white photo features a woman looking to the side. Overlay text includes Ephesians 2:8-9 and a reflection on God revealing pride and self-centeredness, causing feelings of being an imposter. "lemon8 @alexadeffes" is at the bottom.
A black and white photo shows a woman looking to the side. Overlay text describes feeling like a fraud, wrestling with inadequacy as a leader, worshipper, wife, and mother, and questioning worthiness. "lemon8 @alexadeffes" is at the bottom.
A black and white photo features a woman looking to the side. Overlay text states, "I am not called to be strong. I am called to surrender," quoting 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, and explaining the Gospel is about Jesus's work, not human effort. "lemon8 @alexadeffes" is at the bottom.
A black and white photo shows a woman looking to the side. Overlay text defines sanctification as a lifelong process of daily surrender, quoting Romans 12:1, and describes the difficulty of being a "living sacrifice." "lemon8 @alexadeffes" is at the bottom.
A black and white photo features a woman looking to the side. Overlay text discusses daily surrender for transformation, putting on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18), and re-evaluating Ephesians 2:8-9 in light of personal failure. "lemon8 @alexadeffes" is at the bottom.
A black and white photo shows a woman holding a baby. Overlay text lists bullet points: salvation isn't based on performance, calling isn't invalidated by weaknesses, value isn't determined by strength, and God seeks surrender, not perfection. "lemon8 @alexadeffes" is at the bottom.
A black and white photo features a woman holding a baby. Overlay text encourages those feeling like imposters, reminding them they were never meant to be enough on their own, and to rest in grace and surrender. "lemon8 @alexadeffes" is at the bottom.
1/9

You may also like

No content
See more on the app
See more on the app
See more on the app
0 saved
1
11

Messy time with God ✨🫶

2025/3/27 Edited to

... Read moreHey fellow journey-takers! You know those days when you feel like you're fumbling through your faith, wondering if you're truly worthy of God's calling? I've been there, steeped in feelings of inadequacy even as I strive to live for Him. It's easy to get caught up in the idea that being a "spiritual warrior" means always being strong, having all the answers, or never failing. But lately, I’ve been learning that the true strength of a spiritual warrior comes from an unexpected place: surrender. The original article beautifully touches on how our salvation isn't based on our works, but by grace through faith. This truth, from Ephesians 2:8-9, is a lifeline when the enemy tries to whisper doubts about our value or performance. When I feel like I'm failing – whether in prayer, responding with wisdom, or battling my own flesh – I used to question everything. "Am I even worthy?" But then I remember: God isn't looking for our perfection; He’s looking for our surrender. Being a spiritual warrior isn't about flexing our own spiritual muscles. It's about recognizing our inherent weakness and embracing God's power made perfect in it. Think about Paul's experience in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10; he boasted in his weaknesses so Christ's power could rest on him. This is such a powerful revelation! It means we don't have to be "good enough" in our own efforts. Instead, we can confidently step into our calling, knowing our weaknesses aren't roadblocks but pathways for God's glory to shine through. This is how we "speak life" into our circumstances, not by denying our struggles, but by declaring God's truth over them. So, how do we practically live this out? It’s a daily, intentional surrender. Romans 12:1 talks about offering ourselves as a "living sacrifice." This isn't a one-time event; it's a continual choice to stay on the altar. Some days, it’s hard. I want to cling to my pride, my self-sufficiency, my control. The refining fire can be intense! But it's in those moments, when we choose to lay down our own strength and trust Him, that true transformation happens. It’s about choosing Jesus again every morning, not for salvation (that's secure!), but for the daily battle we face. Putting on the "full armor of God" (Ephesians 6:10-18) isn't automatic either. It’s an active choice to equip ourselves with truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and the Word of God. This armor helps us stand firm as spiritual warriors, not in our own might, but in His. When those feelings of being an imposter or "not enough" creep in, we can actively "speak life" using these scriptures, reminding ourselves of who God says we are – saved by grace, called, and valued, not for our performance but for His unending love. Let's embrace the messy, beautiful process of sanctification, knowing that God delights in our surrendered hearts more than our flawless efforts. Keep fighting the good fight, not in your strength, but in His!

11 comments