The Lord has really been speaking to me lately on identity.
What defines us?
What truths are we rooted and grounded in?
I know personally the fear of man and also struggling with what others think of me has been a process that God is continuing to bring freedom to in my life. Often we are like an onion with many layers. As we allow the Lord to go deeper in us and peel back more layers it can feel rather painful. Still, this is a much needed process; and the end result will yield great freedom and healing if we allow Him to do the work in us. The Father ultimately has our good in mind. Though while we are on the Potter’s wheel, momentarily it can be hard to see the end result and beauty of it all. Sometimes I believe the Lord will allow testings or circumstances to come that will put pressure on us in the very area he is longing to bring freedom and healing in. Recently while in a room surrounded by people I felt lonely and isolated as I watched others chat and engage in relationship. I felt the old thought patterns and wrong things begin to surface. “What’s wrong with me? Why do people ignore me?” Self pity is a trap from Satan and he loves to try to ensnare us in that ugly web which would surely send us on a downward spiral. I had to remind myself of the truth and identify the lie. The truth was that there is nothing wrong with me! I am fearfully and wonderfully made — and so are you!
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
PSALM 139:14
The lie is that the enemy tried to get me to believe was that something was wrong with me; that others didn’t like me. When we give into self pity the focus always becomes about us. The enemy loves this because he knows that if he can get us all wrapped up in ourselves we won’t reach out to those around us who are hurting and who need God’s love. I have found that the best antidote for when I am going through trying times is to pour into others; even out of my own pain. When we do this, it gets our eyes off ourselves and we are partnering with the Lord by ministering to others.
We can also experience true joy that goes beyond whatever experience or trials we may be facing. The enemy will often try to target us in our weakest and most vulnerable areas. However, if we allow the Lord in, He can bring greater freedom in those very areas that used to be stumbling blocks; and He’ll turn them into stepping stones!
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
GALATIANS 5:1
Christ’s love and the words He speaks over us are truly what defines us. Not what man thinks of us, or even our own feelings that we may be wrestling with. Don’t allow others negative words or even your own insecurity define you. The Father greatly delights in you and doesn’t want you to be anyone other than the precious jewel He created you to be. There is true and everlasting freedom in knowing that we are accepted and that the Father delights greatly in us.
“The Lord your God is with you,
the Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will take great delight in you;
in his love he will no longer rebuke you,
but will rejoice over you with singing.”
ZEPHANIAH 3:17