This blog is dedicated to my brother and best friend Clint.
I know I just posted about all these wonderful blog ideas I was going to write about for all you guys, but I feel like God has placed something much more important on my heart. I want to let you guys in and show you how I sometimes identify myself verses how God made me out to be. Before I get started though I want to assure all of you that I am more than happy with the life that God has blessed me with.
Lies that I sometimes believe about myself
1. I am stupid (James 1:5)
2. I am unteachable (Proverbs 3:5)
3. I’m to childish (Proverbs 17:22)
4. I’m not growing in my faith (Romans 12:2)
5. I’m not worthy (2 Thessalonians 1:11)
6. I am guilty (Galatians 5:1)
7. I am broken (Ephesians 6:10-20)
8. I am weak (Psalm 73:26)
9. I am not peaceful or level headed (James 3:18)
10. I don’t walk in constant humility (Ephesians 4:1-2)
11. I will never be successful (Proverbs 3:6)
12. I am not kind or pleasant to be around (2 Corinthians 6:4-13)
13. I’m alone (1 Chronicles 16:34)
14. I’m not loved (1 John 4:10)
I’m not going to lie I find myself thinking about at least one of these numbers daily. This list is a lie though. This is a list constructed by the world and all the evil that comes from it, and it wants me to believe it about myself. This list is designed to hold me down and keep me from walking in peace with God.
Now I’d like to switch gears some and share with you guys what God’s written word actually perceives me as. ( the numbers below relate to the numbers on the list above.)
Truths about me that I should always believe
1. I am wise in experience and communion with the lord. (James 1:5)
2. I can trust in the lord with all my heart, and I must not lean on my own understanding of things. (Proverbs 3:5)
3. I am full of joy and full of fruits of the Holy Spirit. (Proverbs 17:22)
4. I am in the process of being transformed for the better. (Romans 12:2)
5. I am called and therefore worthy of the calling. (2 Thessalonians 1:11)
6. For freedom Christ has set me free from my guilt. (Galatians 5:1)
7. I am strong and protected by the armor of God. Ephesians (6:10-20)
8. Even when my flesh and spirit fail, God’s strength is in my heart and it will never be broken. (Psalm 73:26)
9. Peace is sown inside me from following him with full faith. (James 3:18)
10. I have been called to walk in humility and gentleness, with patience and love for all. (Ephesians 4:1-2)
11. In all my ways I will acknowledge Gods plan and he will bless my life. (Proverbs 3:6)
12. I am filled with knowledge, patience, kindness, and genuine love thanks to the Holy Spirit. (2 Corinthians 6:4-13)
13. The Lords love for me is steadfast and endures forever. (1 Chronicles 16:34)
14. I am loved so much he sent his own son to die to pay for me. (1 John 4:10)
Clint,
I love you dude. You’re my best friend and I want nothing but the best for you. I’m sorry I can’t be there for you in this time of struggle. But I feel like there’s a reason God showed me this on your birthday. The day you came into this world, is the same day you began to be identified by a series of lies from all the evil it’s filled with. Brother you are so much mightier than these lies though and you have the power and authority to live a life full of happiness. I’m sure this all is overwhelming and probably doesn’t make sense but I’ll be home soon to show you exactly what I mean by all this. These past several months on the field God has shown me all that I’m worth and all the foolishness the world is filled with that won’t matter in the end.
So on your birthday I ask you to view it as a day of rebirth for your identity and the way you perceive yourself. I challenge you to see all the good in yourself and steer away from all the negatives.
You are loved, you are smart, you are full of wisdom, and you have a large heart. You have a set of characteristics that people are drawn to. Your humor is almost as funny as mine. You walk in humility and don’t care what people think about you because you know who you are and what you believe. And even though you don’t fully understand it yet God sees all the good in you. And I can’t wait to see where this curiosity for Him takes you.
I Love you dude, happy birthday.
Cole.
