who am i?

To start off this blog, I want everyone reading to close their eyes and think of the words you would use to describe yourself. what are they? funny? kind? intentional? loving? passionate? annoying? neglected? hateful? unworthy? a lot of times we tend to judge ourselves based on the negative aspects of our character; what we DON’T do or the ways we DON’T measure up. If I answered the same question I asked you guys, I would say “ignorant, overbearing, driven, & optimistic.” Isn’t it sad that 2/4 things that I thought of degraded myself?! Why do we do that? The devil wreaks havoc in our minds when it comes to self-confidence. There is a toxic trend in today’s society that idolizes negativity. Just look at 80% of the youtube population; most of their humor branches from self deprication. It is SO EASY to follow that trend and exploit all of the negative things we think about ourselves. 

Have you ever thought about changing that? 2 Corinthians 3:17 says that “where the spirit of the Lord is there is freedom.” F R E E D O M. Freedom from self-deprecation, freedom from depression, freedom from the ways of this world! The devil can’t thrive where the Lord resides. If you invite the spirit of God into your heart and mind and ask for redemption from belittling yourself He will give you peace. He won’t just consider it. He won’t look at you and say “try better next time.” He won’t tell you “be more like that person” to earn His gifts. Because he is a good and gracious father he delights in giving us the gifts of His spirit. You don’t have to earn anything from him, you’re already saved because the Lord sent His perfect son Jesus to die on the cross. PRAISE! “For a child will be born to us…he will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6) If we place our identity in the lovely hands of the Prince of Peace, I guarantee you that He will bless your mind and heart beyond measure. 

Take a second and ask the Lord who HE thinks you are. Surprise!! The way you view yourself is not the way God views you. In Colossians, the people of God are referred to as ‘holy and beloved.’ Isn’t that beautiful? The Lord crafted us so perfectly and wonderfully, and He chooses to desire us and love us because of WHO WE ARE. That is the beauty of God-He calls us who we are because outside of the Lord we are nothing. There is nothing you can do that would make God call you anything less than holy and beloved!

I encourage all of you to pick up a bible and find the places in scripture where God tells us who we are. Take those words and phrases and apply it to your life daily! Tell yourself the things that the Lord tells you, don’t settle for anything less! Where we put our identity changes the way we perceive everything, so let’s push to place our lives in the hands of the Lord and lift each other (and ourselves) up. This world can and will be a place of positivity! Where the spirit of the Lord is there is freedom!