One thing I’ve been reminded of lately (and that I need to keep reminding myself of every day) is of my true identity in Christ. It’s one thing to read or hear what my identity in Him is, but it’s another thing entirely to believe in my heart and know deep down in the marrow of my bones who I am in Him. And friends, I’m guessing I’m not alone when I confess that even as a faithful Christian, this does not always come easy for me.
When the stressors and pressures in life add up, and things feel chaotic and messy, I often resort to my ‘old self’ – the self that likes to complain, dig my heels in and fight because ‘it’s not fair,’ and sometimes get hot-tempered and cuss, which of course does nothing to help the way I feel or help my situation. I like to think I have control over every little thing, when in reality, I’ve been learning that I really don’t have control over anything. (I know, not a big revelation for those of you are naturally laid-back and all go-with-the-flow. But if you are like me and naturally more an OCD, type-A, creature of habit and routine perfectionist, then yes, this is a BIG thing to learn, usually the hard way.)
The thing is, life is never static. It is always changing and you can bet that it’s going to throw you the occasional curve ball once in a while. Sometimes it will seem like it’s all happening at once – you know the saying, “when it rains it pours.” And that’s when we’re faced with a decision – to believe in the truth of who we are and whose we are or toss it aside and try to manage things on our own (and we all know how that goes).
So here’s my encouragement for you, and for myself, today: No matter what comes our way in life, let’s choose to walk in the ‘new self’ – the self that knows who we are and what we’re called to do; remembering that our God calls us His own and is bigger and mightier than anything that seeks to steal our joy and victory in Him.
Sister, if you are a believer and follower of Christ, you are His daughter, His most cherished and prized possession, the apple of His eye. He promises to take care of you and meet all of your needs according to His glorious riches. He never leaves you or forsakes you. He is with you always, offering you peace that surpasses understanding, new mercies every day, extravagant grace, and love that knows no bounds. He has a unique plan and purpose for you and directs your steps as you trust and place your hope in Him. Nothing can ever separate you from Him. And in Him lies the best of the best – abundance, adventure, freedom, love, joy, wildness, and glory.
I think my favorite part about being a daughter of God is knowing that even when I royally screw things up and get off course in my journey, He is always there with arms wide open, ready to accept me back and continue to work out His goodness and bring blessings in my life, despite my failures and shortcomings. I love that He doesn’t expect me to be perfect, and that perfection on this side of Heaven is never the goal, which means I don’t have to keep reaching and striving to meet impossible standards that I, or anyone else, sets for me. This doesn’t mean that I can live carelessly or that there aren’t consequences for my mistakes at times, but rather, that I have grace when I do and that those things don’t define me in the end. This spurs me on to keep looking to Him and seeking Him and letting Him do what only He can do in my heart, mind, soul, and life.
Friends, let’s relish the truth that Jesus died to give us life to the full and that the minute we started believing, it was ours for the taking. We are His daughters. We have every spiritual blessing we need to get through this thing called life. We also have a glorious inheritance waiting for us in eternity with Him. Let’s go hard after God and remember who we are in Him.
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