Angela Francis
“…to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair”.
Isaiah 61:3 NIV
These scriptures and songs became my anchor when the storms hit hardest.They reminded me of who God is — and who I am in Him.Sharing them in case you need strength today too
"For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used] for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set], so that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us]."
Ephesians 2:10 AMP
"For it is [not my strength, but it is] You God who is effectively at work in me, both to will and to work [that is, strengthening, energizing, and creating in me the longing and ability too fulfill my purpose] for Your good pleasure."
Philippians 2:13 AMP
"But He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you [My lovingkindness and My mercy are more than enough—always available—regardless of the situation]; for [My] power is being perfected [and is completed and shows itself most effectively] in [your] weakness.” Therefore, I will all the more gladly boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ [may completely enfold me and] may dwell in me. 10 So I am well pleased with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, and with difficulties, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak [in human strength], then I am strong [truly able, truly powerful, truly drawing from God’s strength]."
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 AMP
And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you].
Romans 12:2 AMP
The Radical Act of Choosing YourselfIn a world that glorifies hustle, exhaustion has become a badge of honor. We admire those who push through, who sacrifice sleep, who never say no. But at what cost? When did we decide that burnout is a necessary step toward success?Self-care isn’t just bubble baths and meditation. It’s the radical act of recognizing when you need to pause, step back, and breathe. It’s understanding that rest is not a reward but a necessity. And yet, why do so many of us feel guilty for taking a break?Why Do We Resist Rest?We’ve been conditioned to equate busyness with value. If we’re not constantly producing, achieving, or giving, we fear we’re falling behind. The world tells us to prioritize others, to meet deadlines, to be available at all times. So when we finally turn our attention inward, it feels…wrong.But let’s challenge that. What if prioritizing yourself isn’t selfish but essential? What if slowing down actually makes you more present, more creative, more capable?The Power of Stepping BackThink about the last time you felt truly rested. Not just physically, but mentally and emotionally. Did you feel more patient? More clear-headed? More yourself? That’s because rest isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s a reset button. It allows you to show up fully, instead of running on empty.If you’ve been waiting for permission to take a step back, here it is: Pause. Breathe. Recharge. The world will keep spinning, but you’ll return to it with a renewed sense of self.A Challenge for YouAsk yourself:When was the last time I did something purely for my well-being?What would it feel like to put myself first without guilt?How can I build moments of rest into my everyday life?The truth is, no one else can give you the rest you need. You have to claim it for yourself. And when you do, you might just realize that the most powerful thing you can do—for yourself and the world—is to simply be well.
Still Being Brought Through
I grew up in an environment where words were often used more to wound than to uplift. With my mom, love didn’t always look like gentleness. Instead, I learned to internalize criticism, to perform for approval, and to shrink myself just to keep the peace. From an early age, I began to believe lies about who I was — that I wasn’t good enough or that I wasn’t worthy of being truly seen or heard. The constant criticism made me question my self-worth.Those beliefs didn’t stay in childhood — they followed me into adulthood and affected my friendships, my marriage, and even the workplace.As a child, I learned early to silence my feelings and walk on eggshells. I tried to be what others needed — the good girl, the quiet one, the fixer — anything to keep peace and avoid conflict. But inside, I felt invisible. I carried the weight of rejection and the sting of words that told me I wasn’t enough. That quiet pain shaped how I saw myself: broken, unworthy, and replaceable.In my friendships, I craved acceptance so deeply - I just wanted to be liked, to belong, to feel seen - that I often lost pieces of myself trying to fit in.I entered into my first marriage already carrying a deep need to be chosen and validated. But instead of healing, I found myself repeating the same patterns. I endured emotional neglect, manipulation, and words that echoed the same messages from my past: You’re not good enough. You’re too sensitive. You’re lucky someone puts up with you.I stayed far longer than I should have — not because I didn’t know something was wrong, but because I didn’t believe I deserved better. I had been conditioned to accept less, to minimize my pain, and to believe that love was supposed to hurt a little if you wanted to keep it.In the workplace, I found myself under leaders who mirrored the same verbal abuse I had experienced at home. Their words chipped away at my confidence, and I began to feel small again — like the little girl who had to tiptoe around someone else’s anger. I often questioned my value and my voice, and though I may have appeared strong on the outside, I was silently breaking on the inside.But even in those dark moments, God was present. Even though I wasn’t as close to Him as I should have been early on, He was there and there was always the desire to have more of Him. There were times when I didn’t feel Him, couldn’t hear Him, and doubted He cared — but somehow, He kept showing up. In a kind word from a stranger, the song on the radio that spoke directly to my pain, the verse that felt handwritten for me, in the peace that came during worship, in the quiet whispers during prayer: “You are mine. I see you. I love you.”My healing didn’t come all at once. It came in layers. Through tears, counseling, prayer, and community. It came every time I chose to reject the lies and believe God's truth about who I am. I began to realize that my worth was never tied to the words or approval of others — it was anchored in the One who created me with purpose and intention.I’m still being brought through. There are still days when the old voices try to rise up, when I feel small again. But now I know the truth: I am not who they said I was. I am who He says I am — chosen, beloved, worthy, called.If you’re reading this and you’ve ever felt unworthy, useless, or limited by what others have spoken over you — please know you’re not alone. Healing is possible. Your voice matters. Your story matters. And God is still writing beauty into every broken part.
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