It says in Psalm 139:17-19 “How precious also are your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I should count them, they outnumber the sand. When I awake. I am still with You.”
God’s thoughts towards us are precious, day and night, and yet many of us often struggle to think a handful of good thoughts about ourselves. The scripture tells us in 1 Corinthians 2:16 that we “have the mind of Christ.” Therefore, our thoughts should be more in line with His thoughts.
So, why do so many of us struggle with understanding and believing in our identity?
1 Peter 5:8 tells us that our enemy is actively looking to devour us. If he can convince us that we are not who God has said we are, he has successfully silenced us. This has been his tactic from the very beginning when he asked Eve “Did God really say? . . .” The enemy comes questioning our identity, trying to remove our focus away from who we really are.
The BIGGEST lie that I spoke over myself is that “I was not good enough!” I’m not good enough for this or that or I’m not worthy enough for God’s love. I would compare myself to others, I would think they can do it better than me, why should I even try? I was given the role as Beauty for Ashes Coordinator for the 11 months on field for my squad. As soon as I was offered it, I said YES because I told God that I would say yes to what He has for me. EVEN IF IT SCARES ME, EVEN IF I’M COMPLETELY OUT OF MY COMFORT ZONE. It’s why I’m here, I need to be uncomfortable in order for me to grow in the areas that I need growth in. God has a plan for me & others around me believed I could do this role but yet that feeling of “You’re not good enough, there are other women on my squad that could do it a lot better than me” would flood my mind.
So, how can we combat the enemy’s tactic and succeed in seeing yourself the way your heavenly father sees you? Simple. Fix your eyes on the One who knows who we really are. If we are to find who we really are, we cannot look to the world, to other people, or even to ourselves to find the answer. Christ is the answer. When we seek Him, we find who we truly are.
Why don’t you ask the Lord to show you the lies that you have believed about yourself and write it down on a piece of paper in front of you. Maybe you find yourself believing you are worth less than someone else, or less than everyone else? Maybe someone said you aren’t smart enough, beautiful, you’re never going to reach your dreams. Let’s ask God to reveal those lies to us.
Now once you have written them down, I have a picture below of verses about our worth. These are true, whether or not we choose to believe them. I would like you to read over them and pick out the scriptures that cancel out a lie you have heard or believed about yourself.
For me, the scriptures that cancel out the lie of me “Not being good enough” is in Psalm 139:14 “I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” Also, the scripture “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10.
Your brokenness is not your identity, who you are in Jesus is. Which means that you are free. Free from what has held you hostage. Free from bonds to relationships that hurt rather than heal. Free from self-doubt, self-hate. Free from a life that is bound by chains. Fear was my chain that held me back in life, when I was baptized I believe that God broke that chain. That doesn’t mean that the devil will not try and bring that back but I know who God created me to be and fear has no place in my life. I know that I’m not a perfect person and won’t ever be, but I will always be a child of God. I’m not letting myself be defined by what has tried to bring me down in the past. My identity is in God
We all have experienced disgrace. Our reputation was tainted. But then Jesus came. He poured his grace, love and mercy over us. He has given us a new name.
Beloved. Forgiven. Free. New. Delighted in.
I want you to remind yourself of these ‘Who I Am’ statements.
- I am chosen
- I am being changed into His image
- I am a new creation
- I am forgiven of all my sins
- I am set free
- I am victorious
- I am accepted in Him
- I am complete in Him
“She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.” Proverbs 31:25
