But Noah was different. God liked what He saw in Noah.~Genesis 6:8 (The Message Bible)

I continue to realize that I am under construction. I exist inside the architecture the Lord designs for my life. Some of the rooms in this complex are deeply in need of refurbishment. The anxiety room, for instance. At times, I experience stifling anxiety. Panic sets in and my mind circles with thoughts of all the bad things that could happen, might happen. I forget what is true. I don't like this room much, yet I sometimes fail to realize the reconstruction that has already taken place--much healing from childhood trauma, safe people in my life that have taught me to trust, coping skills that greatly help reduce my fears, and the Lord Himself comforting me. I run my fingers over the freshly painted walls. I note the large window constructed just for me so that I feel the warmth of the sun shining in, can view the sunset in the evenings. Yes, there is more renovation to be done in this room. The Lord reassures me that the place is coming together. 

I take my Bible from the shelf. The Message Bible. The one written in contemporary language by the late Eugene Peterson. The Word acts like smelling salts, bringing me back from the paralyzing feelings and taking me to the realm of truth that imbues the Lord's Shalom peace. Here are some points I needed to review:

The Lord likes me.

When I read Genesis 6:8, But Noah was different. God liked what He saw in Noah. I realized that God not only loves me, but likes me too. Have you ever been around someone who likes you? They meet your eyes; they laugh with you; they grab your hand spontaneously, or put their arm in the crook of your elbow while walking down the street. You feel their acceptance, their warmth. They notice your good qualities. Sometimes they enjoy sitting quietly in your presence and you in theirs. It is the same with Jesus. We feel His affection, His peace. 

I stand in the wide open spaces of God's grace, where I always hoped to stand. 

We have it all together with God because of our Master Jesus. And that's not all. We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that He has already thrown open His door to us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand--out in the wide open spaces of God's grand glory, standing tall and shouting our praise.~Romans 5: 1-2

He is working out everything.

He set it all before us in Christ, a long-range plan in which everything would be brought together and summed up in Him, everything in deepest heaven, everything on planet earth. It's in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for.~ Ephesians 1:10-11

There is new life.

Now we look inside, and what we see is that anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new. The old life is gone; a new life burgeons!~II Corinthians 5:16-17

These words of affirmation and hope are just like the Lord to provide when we encounter the rough patches of on-going sanctification. We are the apple of His eye, His darling creation. He desires our company, our fellowship. He enjoys embracing us with His affection, His light, His presence. He relishes our gifting and takes pleasure in seeing us operate inside the beauty that is unique to us. He loves to reassure us that He goes ahead of us and provides not only what we need, but also gives us abundant Kingdom blessings--favor, grace, joy, love, wisdom, provision and protection. We are His artisanship and in us He takes great delight, sits with us in our unfinished rooms and consoles us that He is making even those shadowy places new.