When people hear the word counterfeit they often think of currency.  I’ve never experienced firsthand the effects of owning that type of money, but I can imagine how upsetting it would be to learn that I don’t really have the real deal. To think you received one thing and learn later that it’s not what you thought it was can  totally be devastating at best.

I remember in my younger days being raised in a household with parents that were very strict, but they loved us and cared for our wellbeing.   It was their responsibility to keep us safe and I think they thought the best way to do that was to keep us in their sight and away from others at all times. This meant we went to school and straight back to the house—no excuses.  It was suffocating at times, but at least I knew I was loved and cared for no matter what.

Entering into the real world after growing-up, as much as I hate to admit it, I was very naïve and learned the true meaning of counterfeit.  In other words, I ran into a lot of fake people and invited a lot of phony imitations of the real thing into my life.  Once misused or hurt by them, it was difficult to recover from the pain and burden of having been played.

So, in order to guard myself from being tricked by people posing to be what they weren’t, I separated myself and stopped building relationships with other people.  My lack of trust and the fear of being hurt again kept me in a state of loneliness, depression, and sadness—with “zero” desire for change.  This my friend is really no way to live the life we’ve been blessed to have.

Well, one day I ran into to the real thing.  It took me awhile to trust them at their word, but after their consistent loving treatment of me—the walls of distrust finally came tumbling down.  Today, I am in the best place I’ve ever been.  Why?  Because I accepted God’s love of me for what is was. Truth is—He’s not like other people.  He can be trusted with your secrets, with your ideas and most of all with your heart.  He is the Real Thing.

I challenge you today to come out of separation and isolation, “Shake Yourself Loose” from the fear, the loneliness, and the depression that has caused you live beneath the means that God, Himself has provided and desires for you.  Make a sound and determined decision to accept “No More Counterfeit!”.  The Lord stands by to develop a “real” relationship with you.   Trust me—I learned He is the real thing!  (Read; Revelation 3:20 and Matthew 7:7-8)