When it comes to me, well... that's a different story. I tend to beat myself up a lot and I don't have a lot of nice things to say about myself. That has started to change and will continue to change. I haven't seen myself through God's eyes in a very long time. Just recently, I've had some conversations with my elementary aged son that reminded me of what I've been doing to God. He's been comparing himself to other kids in his grade and feeling like he just doesn't measure up.
On Saturday, he was sitting the the back seat talking and I was in tears in the drivers seat. It hurt this Mommy heart to hear my son talk about himself in that way. God has to be grieved when we talk down about HIS creation. We are created in HIS image, so when we cut ourselves down, we are basically doing it to Him too. We are sons and daughters of God, so if felt that way for my son, I can't imagine how He feels.
I found this through a simple Google search last week:
Who I am in Christ
Because you are in Christ, every one of these statements is true of you.
- I am loved 1John 3:3
- I am accepted Ephesians 1:6
- I am a child of God John 1:12
- I am Jesus' friend John 15:14
- I am a joint heir with Jesus, sharing His inheritance with Him Romans 8:17
- I am united with God and one spirit with Him 1Corinthians 6:17
- I am a temple of God. His spirit and his life live in me 1 Corinthians 6:19
- I am a member of Christ's body. 1 Corinthians 12:27
- I am a Saint Ephesians 1:1
- I am redeemed and forgiven Colossians 1:14
- I am complete in Jesus Christ Colossians 2:10
- I am free from condemnation Romans 8:1
- I am a new creation because I am in Christ 2Corinthians 5:17
- I am chosen of God, holy and dearly loved Colossians 3:12
- I am established, anointed, and sealed by God 2Corinthians 1:21
- I do not have a spirit of fear, but of love, power, and a sound mind 2Timothy 1:7
- I am God's co-worker 2Corinthians 6:1
- I am seated in heavenly places with Christ Eph 2:6
- I have direct access to God Ephesians 2:18
- I am chosen to bear fruit John 15:16
- I am one of God's living stones, being built up in Christ as a spiritual house 1 Peter 2:5
- I have been given exceedingly great and precious promises by God by which I share His nature 2 Peter 1:4
- I can always know the presence of God because He never leaves me Hebrews 13:5
- God works in me to help me do the things He wants me to do Philippians 2:13
- I can ask God for wisdom and He will give me what I need James 1:5
Simply choose to believe what God says about you.
I printed this out and hung it on the wall at work and I have it in a journal that I write in frequently.
So.... where am I going with all of this? I started talking about praying and the title of this post is The Psalms.
I was telling a friend that I just didn't know where to get started. This is coming from someone that has been in full time ministry and feels like she is starting completely over in this walk with Christ. My friend suggested praying the Psalms. Interesting... never thought of that... So, that's what I did! I read this morning before my work day started... a few times actually. It felt good to start the day in the Word.
It's been a busy day and I've raised my voice a few times at the kids, but I won't condemn myself for it, like the old days. Instead, I will ask for forgiveness (from Him and them) and move on. I'm reading All I Need is Jesus & A Good Pair of Jeans (the author is an A/G Pastor's wife) and the chapter tonight was about the condemnation that we can feel from all sides during our life. Jesus freed us from the chains of condemnation. Romans 8:1-2 says, "So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death". I don't think I've necessarily been sinning, you know... like doing BAD things, but I have let condemnation keep me from where I needed to be with God and that is a bad thing.
CliffsNotes Version:
I'm going to start seeing me as God sees me. He loves me just where I am... scars, ugliness and all. He's working in me and through me. I have to be a willing vessel.
The chains are slowly breaking... one by one. It's hard to just completely leave behind the chains of 30 years of hurt and pain, but it's happening!
In the last week, I've realized how important a good support system is. I have friends that are encouraging and faithful. It's funny how God puts people in your life 10 years prior to when you really need them to guide you through a tough time.
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