there is a promise . . . .

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.

(1 John 3:1-3) A believer's self-worth comes from God alone. He loves us and He calls us His children. That should be enough! This is not a future thing, but a now thing! We do not have to look forward to being His child, but we are right now, today. This fact alone should be enough to get us through each day, despite the circumstances we face. It is indeed encouraging to know that we belong to God. When we face the uncertainties of this world, the ridicule of folks around us, and the lack of support from folks we count on, God calls us His own.

For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs —heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

(Romans 8:14-17) An adopted child has all rights in his new family by law. Once God calls us His, we are His and inherit all promised to us by God . . . namely eternal life as an heir to His Kingdom! The Holy Spirit gives testimony to this fact. The suffering, the ridicule, the pain . . . it comes with being a part of God's family. Yet there is a promise . . . . This is enough for me . . . how 'bout you?