How do you define yourself? Does your view of yourself align with what God says about you?
“That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by acknowledging of every good thing in which is in you in Christ Jesus” (Philemon 6, KJV).
One of the most powerful sermons I have ever heard was entitled, “Now, Who Do You Say You Are?” If you’re a self-reflective person, and you probably are if you are reading this blog, you know that what you say about yourself has tremendous power for good or for ill. If you begin your day with negative self-talk, it won’t be long before you are discouraged and demoralized.
Perhaps, you’ve forgotten that Satan is the accuser of the brethren. He is actively working to steal your joy and to erode your faith so that you can do little more than survive from one day to the next. Having the energy to bless someone else, to shine the Light of what it truly means to walk in the abundant life Jesus promised to those who believe is–for the time being–completely off the table for you. All because of what you are saying about yourself, to yourself.
The good news is that taking your thoughts captive so that they line up with what God says about you is not only possible but your right as a child of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Sound too good to be true?
If that’s where your head is at, you are not alone. I was there, too, in that dark, angry place. Anger? You’re probably thinking what does anger have to do with negative self-talk?
Emotions often act like dominoes. If you spend too long in survival mode, you will soon become angry at people who are either truly blessed or appear to be blessed. You’ll feel like a second-class citizen for whom much that is good in this life is totally out of reach. That thinking will make you more angry. And because anger seeks an outlet, you will have three options: become more angry at others, become angry at yourself, or become angry at God.
Since being angry at God can be scary for some of us, we choose to direct our anger at ourselves. We reason that the circumstances in which we find ourselves have resulted from our poor, and sometimes, sinful choices. And we may feel and think this way even after we have sought and received the Lord’s forgiveness.
If you’ve ever had a day that left you feeling as if you’d been run over by a semi, or if you’ve ever woken up feeling as if a herd of elephants has trampled on your chest, you know what it means to be so beat down that feeling better about yourself and your circumstances seems utterly impossible. The only answer to this despair is to begin to embrace what God says about you. II Peter 1:4 says God has “given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature…” You are loved. You are precious in God’s sight. He is waiting for you to bring it all to Him. He already knows. He knows you better than you know yourself, and His choice for you is always for your good. His choice is to develop the divine nature He has placed inside you.
LORD Jesus, praise you for using everything for our good. Praise You for paying attention to every detail. Praise You that as we learn to see ourselves through Your eyes, our faith, joy, and peace increase beyond our understanding, for Your honor and Your glory . Amen.
