ACT AS IF

"Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God."
1 Peter 2:16

God's word is clear.  If you have asked Jesus to be your Lord and Savior, then you are saved; you are a princess - a daughter of the King of Kings; you are fearfully and wonderfully made; you are no longer in bondage to sin and shame.  But let's face it, even though that is truth, we sometimes don't feel that it is and we even go so far as to not believing that these things are true. 

The "Act as if" principle simple says that when you don't feel these truths, act as if they are true and pretty soon your emotions will follow.  A friend of mine was in a tough custody battle.  Her day in court came and she took on the position of the abused wife.  Her head was lowered, her body language showed her defeat.  Then she remembered that we had prayed just that morning that she would remember that she was a princess.  She lifted up her head, looked everyone in the eye, and stood her ground against false accusations and won the case!  She was so excited that she had acted out the truth instead of the old lies.

Another time my two prospective daughters-in-law were going to be spending some time with us. My mother had often told me that it was a good thing that I had boys because I would make a terrible mother to girls.  I had nightmares the first night they were there and called my friend who is a Christian counselor.  She taught me the "Act as if" principle. So, I acted as if I was the best soon to be mother-in-law ever!  We had a blast!  We made things, and shopped, and talked, and cooked, and had a great time.  When they were ready to leave, I knew that I was going to be the best mother-in-law ever!  I had replaced a lie with the truth.

So, if you are not feeling your princess status this morning, get up and get going and act as if you are a princess - royalty! This does not mean snotty and demanding, by the way!  Just worthy, loved, appreciated, and cared for!

Hint for the day: Your brothers and sisters in Christ (including husbands and children) are also princes and princesses.  Remember to treat them with that respect even when they are not acting that way.  Their reaction over time will be to act as the royalty that they are also!  Respect demands respect.