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b'\\u201cI hope this isn\\u2019t a prank,\\u201d Jacob thought, waiting in the park by the daisies, just like the unusual parchment in his hand instructed. \\u201cIt would be typical of me to fall for it.\\u201d \\nGlancing around, he expected someone to jump out and shout, \\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153Gotcha!\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d But there wasn\\u2019t anyone about. Wanting to turn back home, he took a deep breath before calling, \\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153I\\u2019m here.\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d No one replied. Without warning, the sky turned black until he was catapulted through time and space. He found himself in a cave, and echoes reverberated around him. \\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153I\\u2019m no good. Why am I useless? I can\\u2019t do this. Why can\\u2019t I be like everyone else?\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d He pushed his fingers in his ears. The grating insults, churning inside of him, were familiar. With each word, the bitter smell of sulfur spread through the air. \\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153How can I? I\\u2019m too dense to understand this. God, why did you make me this way?\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d\\nBurying his nose in his sweater, gagging at the stench that was worsening as each vitriolic comment pierced the air, Jacob could not escape from the sound of his own voice from the past. \\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153Am I in hell?\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d he cried, shaking, tears pouring down his face. \\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153Please stop this. Oh, Jesus, God, help me.\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d\\nThe words quieted down and then stopped. Bitterness evaporated, and a radiant light transformed the darkness. Out of nowhere a voice called to him, \\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153I created you. These poisonous words about you\\u2014they\\u2019re not true. Listen to my voice instead. I do not condemn you.\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d\\n\\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153Please help me,\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d Jacob pleaded. The cave became warmer. Rainbows filled the air. \\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153I love you. I made you on purpose. You are precious to me\\u2014so precious that my Son, Jesus, took your place on the cross to save you and give you eternal life. I have silenced every accusation against you. You are an important part of my kingdom.\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d\\nMesmerized, Jacob witnessed God\\u2019s words fill the room with dazzling rainbows, showering him with blessings, until finally the cave disappeared and he was staring at the daisies in front of him. Peace soothed him. In his hand he still gripped the paper, but the message had changed: \\u201cYou are loved.\\u201d \\u2022 Cindy Lee\\n\\u2022 Have you ever believed lies about yourself like the ones in this story? You can take some time with God, asking Him where those lies came from and remembering what He says about you. \\nKind words are like honey\\u2014sweet to the soul and healthy for the body. Proverbs 16:24 (NLT)\\n\\xa0\\nRead Verses:\\nIsa.43.7|Rom.11.36|Isa.6.3'