Earlier this week, I took my lunch break and headed over to a local coffee shop. After adding a bit of cinnamon to my coffee, I settled down into a cozy arm chair, pulled out my iPad, and started working on my To-Do list. It hadn’t been fifteen minutes, before I stopped and took a deep breath. In that moment, I felt the Lord remind me that I am His daughter and that He delights in me. It was only a quick and simple reminder; but still, it struck me deeply.

Taking a moment to allow that holy whisper to sink down into my heart, I felt refreshed and ready to continue working on the tasks at hand. That whisper continued to echo through my heart. With each reverberation, my heart was encouraged and put to rest. When it was time for me to head back to the office, I wasn’t weary or distracted from the different things I had accomplished during lunch. I was ready to dive into the afternoon’s meetings and projects with a hopeful and positive outlook.

This small moment made me realize how powerful it is for us to understand that we truly are children of the Lord and that His affection is for us (Gal 3:26). When our hearts are absolutely convinced of these truths, we are set free to be all that we were created to be. Understanding sonship positions our hearts to operate under the covering of a good and wise Father. Convinced that He is for us, we can truly live with confidence knowing that nothing can overwhelm us (Rom 8:31). Understanding and experiencing His affection toward us is equally as powerful. The Lord loves each of our hearts with a deep, unwavering, and dedicated love. This love isn’t distant or removed; He knows us and delights in us (2 Sam 22:20) (Ps 41:11).

Pairing sonship with Father’s love for us is powerful. If we know that His leadership is good and faithful and have experienced His deep affection our hearts, then our hearts cannot help but be filled with hope (Heb 10:23). We can have great expectation for answered prayers, supernatural provision, and the fulfillment of the good plans He has for us (Jer 29:11). Thus, aligning our hearts with the truth of our identity and His love shifts our paradigm. And it is from this paradigm that we were intended to live. From this place, we can walk in joy with positive perspectives, confidently work to accomplish what has been set before us, and live knowing the goodness of the Lord.

So, Dear Saints, allow your heart to be sensitive to the Lord’s whispers over your heart. Remind yourself of your identity in Him and His affection for you. Let that knowledge serve as the strength and inspiration for your day.