Join Us for Weekly Inbox Encouragement + Access to a Full Library of Free Faith-Building Tools

Sign me up!

Kristi Woods

Encouraging Women to Walk Deeper with God

  • Home
  • Start Here
  • Speaking
  • Shop
  • Contact
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
  • Blog
    • Spiritual Growth
    • Mentoring
    • Emotional Health
    • Faith Resources
    • Faith Holidays
  • Bible Studies
  • Nonfiction
  • Fiction
  • Free Christian Resources

#YourStory: Iris Peterson

July 11, 2017 by Kristi 16 Comments

Please join me in welcoming Iris Peterson to the blog. Iris and I met through the online writer’s training group, COMPEL Training. Her words are humble but staunch in the Spirit. There’s power in their midst. Enjoy!  

As I walked out of my co-worker’s classroom, I realized that decades of questions and moments of pain had been erased.

I don’t know the moment that I was set free from the spirit of rejection, but I knew that my co-worker’s words had not snatched a scab from a closely guarded wound. Her words had led me to a place of gratefulness as I realized that I no longer hurt. The wound was no longer closely guarded, it was completely healed.

I learned that I was adopted when I was ten years old.

My parents were the best things to ever happen to me and they gave me unconditional love and introduced me to my Heavenly Father who loved me from the moment I was conceived. Although they provided me with everything that I needed to be successful, I always felt that I had to please others and that my best was never good enough. I wondered if I had done something as an infant that caused my birth mother to “give me up for adoption.” I always felt like I did something wrong.

I lived my life pleasing others and looking for approval in everything that I did.

If I extended, or in most cases, overextended myself to help others, I felt a sense of accomplishment because I was giving help where it was needed. I ascribed value to my life by the amount of help that I was able to offer to others.

My life soon looked like a modern-day crisis center. If I thought someone needed me, I would go out of my way to offer assistance.

I did not always pray about these decisions because I just wanted to be included.

I wanted to be liked.

I wanted to be needed.

I had many failed relationships because I wanted to change others and be the one that made the difference in their lives. If I didn’t make an impact or create change, I would feel that I wasn’t good enough or that I had failed.

I read books on approval addiction and learning when to say yes and how to gracefully say no. I still felt a sense of obligation to be everything to everybody.

Then I received an email from a co-worker asking for tech assistance. I provided her the resources she needed and sat with her and her students the next day to make sure that everything moved smoothly. She informed me that she would work with her students in class the following day.

She didn’t ask for additional help, but I decided to stop by just in case I could offer assistance.

I walked into her room, confident and prepared. And it happened.

She waved me away and said, “I don’t need you.”

I walked away and stood outside of her room to process it all.

I could not count the times that someone’s actions had indicated that I wasn’t needed, but I did not recall anyone ever saying those words to me. Her words were strong, but they did not hurt me.

As I stood in the hallway, I was able to grasp the impact that my thinking has had on my decisions in life. I was not needed at that moment because I had already given the teacher the tools that she needed to be successful.

Likewise, I wasn’t given up for adoption because I did anything wrong, but there was a bigger plan that God wanted to fulfill in my life.

If you have wrestled with feelings of insecurity and rejection, know that God loves you and he cares about every aspect of your life.

Your prayers have been heard, and He will answer. ~Iris Peterson Click To Tweet

“And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for” (I John 5: 14-15 NLT).

The pains of the past were erased and I understood that the healed scar will simply point others to a Father who hears, answers, and brings peace to a troubled mind.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, a Division of Tyndale House Ministries, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

About Iris ~

Iris Peterson is a writer, speaker, singer, and ministry leader. She is passionate about sharing a message that will empower and encourage others. Iris is a mom of two teens and she resides in the Piedmont-Triad area of North Carolina. She hosts a podcast and a blog entitled Iris’s Insights

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ILPMinistries.org

Twitter: @ILPMinistries

Podcast: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/iriss-insights/id1199671852?mt=2

Email: iris@ilpministries.org

 
  • Pinterest
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • Email
  • Print

Related

Filed Under: Emotional Health, Mentoring, Spiritual Growth Tagged With: Healing, Identity in Christ, Testimonies

Do you struggle with Rejection?

Subscribe below to receive the 3-day devotional Removing the Sting of Rejection in your inbox for FREE. Use this devotional to build your spiritual muscles to counter the sting of rejection.

Comments

  1. Michelle says

    July 11, 2017 at 9:10 am

    I loved reading your story, Iris! We adopted our daughter as an infant. She is now almost 9 and has known about her adoption since the beginning. I know she deals with some of the same thoughts you dealt with about being “given up.” Your story reminds me that she belongs to God and he will use whatever pain she deals with, whether it is related to her adoption or something else, for good.

    Reply
    • Iris L Peterson says

      July 11, 2017 at 2:21 pm

      Thank you for being an instrument of love and healing in the life of your precious little girl. I don’t know you, but I know that your daughter is blessed because God chose you to be her mom! I will lift her in prayer and I am excited about the beautiful future that awaits her. I am so thankful that this message was a blessing to you!

      Reply
  2. Linda Stoll says

    July 11, 2017 at 12:06 pm

    Dear Kristi … I LOVE your intro to Iris –>’Her words are humble but staunch in the Spirit.’

    Wow, could anything finer be said about us?! Thank you for sharing your friend … and a reminder that humility and godliness is a powerful combo.

    Reply
    • Iris L Peterson says

      July 11, 2017 at 2:23 pm

      Linda, her introduction brought tears to my eyes and have been resonating in my spirit since I read them. Many blessings to you!

      Reply
      • Kristi says

        July 12, 2017 at 8:00 am

        So touching! Keep writing, Iris. He speaks through these words of yours.

        Reply
    • Kristi says

      July 12, 2017 at 7:52 am

      It’s a joy to share Iris with you and others, Linda. Her words have resonated in my heart many times. The Lord uses this woman. <3

      Reply
  3. Julie says

    July 11, 2017 at 1:20 pm

    Great story Iris! I’m a people-pleaser also!
    I love your perspective shift!
    Visiting from #Raralinkup

    Reply
    • Iris L Peterson says

      July 11, 2017 at 2:27 pm

      Thank you Julie! Isn’t it amazing that He can give us that perspective shift when we least expect it?

      Reply
  4. Betsy de Cruz says

    July 12, 2017 at 1:44 pm

    Iris, thanks for sharing your beautiful story here. I sometimes have that need to be needed as well, but I’m learning to let go of it.

    How beautiful that you are learning to rest in God’s love for you through being adopted. I know your story will encourage many. A friend of mine has adopted two children, and they have similar feelings.

    Reply
  5. Lisa Appelo says

    July 12, 2017 at 8:33 pm

    Iris! I’m so grateful to know more about you, to learn part of what motivates your ministry. God uses every shard of our lives and your testimony shows that so well. Thank you for sharing. <3

    Reply
  6. LeNae says

    July 12, 2017 at 10:41 pm

    Thank you for sharing your story. I have experienced similar feelings many times in life! But knowing Christ has helped, He loves us, and we are valuable to Him! Praise God. Beautiful message.

    Reply
  7. Horace Williams Jr. says

    July 13, 2017 at 9:19 am

    Thank you you for sharing your story Iris. Your honesty and heartfelt love for God is evident here. It is inspiring to read how God revealed to you that you are foreve His, and now you show His love by how you live. Thank you Kristi for sharing Iris’s story with us. It was an inspiration to read. I wish you both a wonderful weekend and may God continue to bless you and your families.

    Reply
    • Kristi says

      July 13, 2017 at 1:26 pm

      Isn’t her story a good, good God story, Horace? I love it! How are you, my friend? God’s brought you to mind and situated you in prayer lately. The blogosphere seems a little “Horace-quiet.” Glad to see you here today.

      Reply
  8. Brenda says

    July 13, 2017 at 11:37 am

    Hi Iris, I don’t believe we’ve met in Compel yet. Nice to meet you. What a sweet testament to the healing comfort of God’s unconditional acceptance. You’re so right, we can choose to control our thoughts and center them on truth. Sometimes it’s easy to forget that, but oh the freedom that knowledge brings. Thanks for this reminder today. And thanks for sharing Iris with us, Krisit. ((hug))

    Reply
    • Kristi says

      July 13, 2017 at 1:24 pm

      It’s my pleasure to open this space to Iris. <3 Thanks for stopping by, Brenda.

      Reply
  9. Debbie Putman says

    July 21, 2017 at 12:41 pm

    What a beautiful story. It is full of encouragement for all people-pleasers easily feeling rejected who are learning we are beautiful daughters of the King. Your words were a balm to my soul because this is a lesson I need to practice over and over.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

I accept the Terms and Conditions and the Privacy Policy

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Welcome

Headshot of Kristi Woods, woman with shoulder-length brown hair with coral-colored shirt
Welcome!

I’m Kristi. I write stories: God’s, yours, & a few pretend people. (Christian romance and Christian nonfiction)

Find encouraging stories or links to them at this site, as well as faith-building tools like Bible studies and more for people like you and me. (Sometimes my characters use them, too!)

So grab a seat, prop up your feet, and please feel welcome.

Oh, in case you’re interested, here’s my story.

 

Subscribe Here

KristiWoods.net sign-up form

YES, PLEASE!
Email me updates & offer access to a WHOLE LIBRARY of free faith-building downloads, stories, and more.

Now Available

Book cover for The Many Lives of Veronica

picture of printable scripture cards from Psalms - for sale in the Kristi Woods Etsy Studio

Digital Bible Study cover picturing sand grains for Shake Off Discouragement

Thumbnail of 12 Scripture Cards, verses from Psalms, printable and available in the Kristi Woods Etsy Studio

Products for sale (Digital Bible studies, bible verse cards) on graphic for Kristi Woods Etsy story - Shop Christian products

Picture of free 30-day Psalms reading challenge with Christian blog post title

Notepad, pen, glasses, and drink on a white surface with the title of this Christian podcast

A 6-Episode Podcast to Help Supercharge Your Faith

Speaking Events

 

Popular Posts

Introducing post 5 Ways to Grow Your Faith

Christian Blog Post title




 

 

This site uses affiliate links. Click here to read the full disclosure and here to read a note about our affiliates.

Topics

Anxiety Bible Bible Memory Verses Bible study Blogs Books Christian Marriage Christian Parenting Christian Podcasts Christmas Courage in the Bible Discouragement in the Bible Easter Faith Fear in the Bible Forgive Free Resources Friendship God Gratitude Guest Post Healing Hope Identity in Christ Love Outreach Prayer Salvation Scripture Testimonies Thanksgiving Trust

Pin with Me!


For Sharing

Kristi Woods

Copyright © 2022 Kristi Woods | Site by MRM | Privacy & Disclosure