It is so important to know your identity in Christ. To know who God is to you and to know that there is a reason for all the good and bad seasons. Our character reflects who we are and what we believe. Whether you like it or not, our character is what others become to know us as. Our strength and weaknesses have a big part in defining who we are. Both equaling as important. NEVER FORGET how crucial it is to love yourself in ALL SEASONS. We will ALWAYS be kings and queens in God’s eyes, and it starts with believing it.
As much as we don’t like when things are difficult, it’s in these seasons that we recognize development and growth
Are there any habits that you’re proud of or your strengths?
Now, are there habits that you aren’t proud of and want to work on or your weaknesses?
Nail biting, not ENOUGH bible time, always late, stress eating, gossiping, procrastination.
What if there are habits that you do that, you’re not aware of? Both GOOD and BAD. It’s common for people to notice things in you that are your natural habits, that you don’t realize are unique to you.
As much as I believe that it’s important to know your strengths, the weaknesses are just as important.
1 Peter 1:6-7 reads,
“In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
You have been grieved or in other words, have experienced various trials, but through these it says, SO THAT THE GENUINENESS OF YOUR FAITH MORE PRECIOUS THAN GOLD RESULTS IN THE GLORY OF JESUS CHRIST.
God can use trials to show us parts of us that need more developing. And sometimes, there are so hard, and all you want to do is give up. Don’t. there is always growth to come out it. Love yourself enough to push through the trial since the genuineness of your faith is being tested, you will walk out of the trial, stronger than ever.
1 Peter 1:22
“Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart,”
Proverb 19:20
“Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.”
And sometimes it’s hard to hear your weaknesses, but when we’re obedient to what the Father is asking us. Similar to what is mentioned in 1 Peter chapter 1, with obedience, comes a more sincere love. We are able to love ourselves more, which allows us to love others that much more. With each trial, comes a more purified and sincere faith. The more we understand about ourselves and what we’ve walked through, the more we are able to love ourselves.
A lot of times when these weakness or bad habits are made known, you kind of feel exposed. There’s this feeling of, “dang they’re noticing an area that could use some growing.
Proverb 12:1
“Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.”
Once you find these areas that are STILL IN DEVELOPMENT, how do you fight it?
It’s not guaranteed to be an easy or a hard season, but the KNOWLEDGE of the area brings forth wisdom and discipline to fight it. If it is chosen to ignore the area, we allow ourselves to let the enemy win. Each day, we should be trying to look more and more like Jesus. Because what did we say we were at the beginning? KINGS AND QUEENS.
Isaiah 11:2
“And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.”
This verse is describing the future King of David’s descent, AKA JESUS. But let’s look at it from the perspective of us being the future KING or QUEEN.
The Holy Spirit is always with us. Giving us wisdom, understanding, advice, strength, and knowledge of God. When we’re faced with trials, remember that the Holy Spirit has equipped you with all these things and that you will ALWAYS conquer the fight.
Loving yourself includes loving all the good and bad. But understand that the bad isn’t meant to hold you back. It’s meant to be FURTHER DEVELOPED and turned into something beautiful. Don’t be afraid of the difficult seasons. Because these seasons are purifying your faith and showing you more of Christ.
We are children of God. We are Kings and Queens of the Most High Father. Know that you are so loved and will always belong to God. When we make mistakes, He doesn’t leave and you shouldn’t stop believing in yourself.
We’re always developing.
Use each situation for growth.
