Day 8: The Confidence of God’s Love
Week 2: Growing in Faith and Confidence
1/20/20255 min read
"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
– Romans 8:38-39(NIV)
Reflection
This is one of my favorite things to share with you—Abba’s love. I could talk about it all day because it’s so personal to me. For a long time, I struggled with feeling unworthy of love; guilt and shame weighed heavily on me, whispering that I wasn’t good enough or pure enough to be loved by anyone let alone God. If anyone showed me affection, I’d feel lucky but still question if they truly did.
I’m grateful for my parents, how they took their responsibilities seriously to raise me and equip me as best as they could - but even with that foundation, I often felt unseen and unloved as a child. I can’t pinpoint exactly where it started, but I believed I wasn’t pretty enough, smart enough, or outspoken enough to be liked or accepted. I always thought I had to do something to earn anyone’s love. A lot of it was tied to my fragile, skinny stature, which made me feel small in more ways than one. As I grew older and began making mistakes, some more costly than others, my already fragile self-esteem started to crumble even more.
Guilt and shame became constant companions, convincing me I was too broken and flawed for God to truly love me. On top of that, I carried the guilt of disobedience. God had asked me to do certain things before, but I was too shy, timid, or afraid to follow through. I’ve not always been bold, and I’ve often struggled with feeling inadequate. Doing this devotional, for instance, is one of the boldest things I’ve ever done. In a world where love is often tied to performance—what we do, how we act—it’s easy to believe that God’s love is reserved for the “pure,” the “bold,” or the “obedient,” while the rest of us simply get His mercy.
Let’s talk about obedience for a moment. As Christians, we’ve all experienced those moments when God nudges us to do something. Maybe it’s to speak up, take an action, or move forward on something He’s placed on our hearts. But fear, doubt, or feelings of inadequacy hold us back. And when we don’t follow through, guilt sets in. We avoid praying or spending time with God because we assume He’s angry with us. If our earthly parents responded with frustration or punishment when we disobeyed, it’s easy to project that onto God. We assume He’s mad, that we’ve forfeited His blessings, or that everything going wrong in our lives is a punishment for our disobedience.
Obedience is a gift. It’s a grace that we should always pray for because sometimes, even when we are willing, our fears can get the best of us to the point where we are doubting if we even heard Him right. But doing what God wants us to do sets us on a path of destiny. It positions us to impact the lives that depend on our obedience. The truth is our purpose is bigger than us. Whatever God causes us to produce by our obedience is not just for us; it’s for the lives He wants to change through us. I’ve personally benefitted from others who stepped out in faith, despite their doubts and fears, and I know I need to do the same for others. It’s not just about duty—it’s about compassion. That’s why we must always pray for hearts like Christ’s, filled with love and courage to obey.
Does God get upset when we disobey? Probably. But is He patient? Absolutely. Look at Moses, who doubted his ability to lead, or Gideon, who needed multiple reassurances before stepping out. God didn’t give up on them, and He won’t give up on us either.
I remember one early morning in 2020 during my quiet time. I felt a strong nudge to go outside the gate of my house. I obeyed, but once there, I heard a clearer instruction: “Preach.” I froze. Standing outside, I felt like all my fears and insecurities came rushing in at once. After what felt like an eternity—probably just two minutes—I turned back inside. By the time I reached the stairs, guilt had overtaken me, and I felt defeated. But then, I heard the most compassionate and understanding voice: “Don’t worry, child. I knew this would be hard for you.”
That voice reassured me that even in my weakness, I was still loved. God knew my fears, my struggles, and my doubts, and yet He still called me. He wasn’t surprised by my hesitation. Looking back, I realize He wasn’t trying to expose my fear to shame me but to help me grow in boldness. Each time God asks us to step out, He’s preparing us for something greater.
For years, I thought the things that happened to me as a child were my fault. I believed my mistakes and choices disqualified me from being loved or used by God. I used to think, When God calls His beloved, Adebisi doesn’t respond.
But Romans 8:38-39 changed everything for me. It reminds me that nothing—not my mistakes, not my fears, not even my disobedience—can separate me from God’s love. Shame is one of the enemy’s favorite tools to distance us from God. Remember how Adam and Eve hid after their disobedience? Before the fall, they were naked and unashamed—fully seen, fully known, and fully loved. That’s what God wants for us.
This truth inspired the heart behind this ministry: Beloved, Seen, and Known. During my darkest seasons of shame, I clung to the promise in Romans 8:38-39. Today, I want to share that promise with you: nothing—absolutely nothing—can separate you from God’s love.
It’s all about what we choose to focus on. I often say there are many faces to God, and the one you see depends on where you’re looking. Will you focus on God’s wrath, or will you fix your eyes on God who is Love? Will you focus on your failures, or will you focus on The Father who sees you, knows you, and loves you deeply?
Write a personal affirmation about God’s unchanging love for you. Let Romans 8:38-39 guide your words.
Declare this truth over your life each day. Put it where you can see it daily to remind you of God's precious Love.
Father, thank You for a love that doesn’t depend on my perfection but on Your unchanging nature. Teach me to rest in the truth that nothing can separate me from Your love. Help me to let go of guilt and shame and to focus on You—my Father who sees me, knows me, and loves me completely. In Jesus’ name, Amen.