Peace In The Promise

It is common to come across the question “Who does God say that you are?” But I believe that an equally important question is: “Who do you say that you are?”

Why do I think it’s important? Because, God may speak truth over you, but as long as you don’t believe it, you will not walk in the freedom that he has declared for you.

Growing up, I was quite a joyful and “smiley” child (“smiley” even became my nickname at one of my workplaces 😂), many of my teachers, however, labelled me as a troublemaker, often reprimanding me for things that I hadn’t done, and treating me unfairly in the classroom (I was literally left outside during a hailstorm y’all 🙄👀😅). I remember becoming confused and frustrated at an early age, as I seemed to constantly be targeted whereas my other classmates didn’t seem to be reprimanded nearly as much. It confused many of my peers also, as they knew that I was not one to cause trouble. Though my parents would intervene with the school when necessary (they would schedule sit down “meetings” with my teachers and instill the fear of God in them with smiles on their faces 😂), and constantly dialogue with me about tall poppy syndrome, discrimination, institutionalised racism and the like, these experiences still developed a deeply rooted belief in me that I was a horrible person. I didn’t say this aloud, or even realise this at the time, but all that I did stemmed from this place. Even as a child, I would seek to prove that I was not horrible, always wanting people to see that I was actually good. I would unnecessarily beat myself up for making a mistake or for not handling a situation perfectly. I would become anxious to say no to anything, always fearing that the person I said no to would think I was horrible, and that that therefore meant that I was horrible (talk about exhaaaausting, man!).

I became very conscious and anxious about everything that I did, as I felt that I was always being watched 👀 and that those watching were poised and ready to point out everything that I was doing wrong (as this was a frequent occurrence from the beginning of my schooling). It crippled me gravely, and yet at the time I didn’t even know that I was crippled! I didn’t realise that I had a deeply rooted belief planted from childhood that ‘I was a horrible person’, and that this seed was planted when I was a child, and watered throughout my schooling, unhealthy friendships, discrimination experienced growing up as an Afro Aussie, and more!

I share this personal experience to show that, even though God spoke wonderful truths about me, as long as I didn’t know him, know what he said about me, or even believe what he said about me, I was still bound to what the world told me that I was…even with the extensive support and wisdom from my family! (Crazy right??)

I remember just breaking down one day to a loved one and crying. This was the first time that the words of the lie that I had believed all my life came out of my mouth…“I…I just feel like I’m some horrible person!”

It took this verbalisation for me to see that it was this belief that had been crippling me for so long 😱. I had lived most of my life tip toeing around and apologizing for existing as if I was some sort of curse (even after I got saved y’all!), not realising that Christ did not die on the cross for me to remain bound to the foolish words of man, or to leave me feeling condemned, helpless and horrible 🙅🏾‍♀️. I had to realise that there was freedom, hope, joy and purpose that was freely accessible to me, if I made the decision to believe and trust in his word.

It can be challenging to break those deeply rooted beliefs that stem from childhood, but not impossible. It is often a journey (one that is not necessarily had overnight, but an ongoing daily process), and the challenge often comes with you learning to actually believe the truth of what God says about you, and learning that just because you may feel that you are still bound sometimes, that you are truly free (John 8:36)!

God has taken me on a journey of learning how to truly trust him, and has proved to me time and time again that I can depend on him and I can freely believe in his word, as it reigns true.

I now know that I can decide to either stand on the truth of the scripture, or the deception of the world, it’s my choice. So I made the decision to stand on the scripture. Each day, I choose to believe where the Word says that whom the Son sets free is free indeed, I choose to believe where the Word says that I am no longer bound to surrender to the desires of my flesh, I choose to believe when the Word says that it is in God that I trust and I am not afraid, as what can mere mortals do to me? I decide to trust where the Word says that I am loved, chosen, redeemed, blemish free, not condemned and more.

This does not mean that I am never tested, and never tempted to revert back to old patterns of thinking (I am tested daily 😂), but I believe that I have a renewed mind now that I am alive in Christ, and I am therefore no longer bound to the old ways of thinking; I am free to stand firm in the truth.

I know from God’s word that he does not see me as a horrible person, rather, he sees me as his unique child that he fashioned in my mother’s womb, fearfully and wonderfully. I know that he has called me and created me purpose filled, and as a solution, not a problem.

You see the world (media, people, friends, and perhaps even family) will certainly say what it wants about you and I, be it true or false, but when you realise and accept who you are in Christ (God’s child, co-heir with Christ, chosen, dearly loved, purposed, found), and know what he says about you (set free, redeemed, forgiven, not condemned, adored, defended), you will learn not to be shaken by the opinions of man, and to instead be transformed by the eternal words of God.

So be encouraged! Many things may have been (and still will be 😂) spoken about you, perhaps you have even been the one saying discouraging things to yourself, but I encourage you to make the decision today to not be defined by your past, or by words spoken from flesh. You are free to make the decision to not only believe, but to walk in what God says about you over what man has said about you. You are not what this world defines you as, you are what and who God says that you are. The world will be your friend today, and hate you tomorrow (we see this with celebrities, ever changing trends and more) but God and his word never change, he remains true. This also means that what God says about you in his word remains true, and never changes. On your best and worst days, he loves you just the same, and out of that love he desires for you and I to walk right under the guidance of his Spirit. He has called you to a great purpose; you are his image bearer, his ambassador, and created with intention and purpose.

The opinions of man will fade away, but the truth displayed in God’s word will stand for all eternity.

With that knowledge, I ask again: Who do you say that you are?

Blessings and love always,

Peace!

🌻

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.

(Romans 8:1‭-‬2)