Thrive Issue 04
You can own who you are and Who's you are! We THRIVE when we know that God created every specific detail about us. If we do not own who we are we can be painfully critical about our own appearance. We can so easily point out our own perceived flaws and carelessly speak them aloud to others. Other times we try to hide who we are. We make excuses for our personality and we try to squash the things about ourselves that either others have negatively commented on, or that we do not like. Have you made excuses for your appearance or personality? Have you thought any of the following? “I am too tall . . . too short . . . too loud . . . too quiet . . . too slow . . . too quick . . . too bossy . . . too easy going . . .” When we compare ourselves to others we may elevate them and believe that they have better talents. This can cause us to quickly dismiss our God-given gifts as common or ordinary. It is so easy to be critical about ourselves. But I'm telling you friend, God made you unique. God made you one of a kind. He created you to process life uniquely. You have your own personality, gifts, talents, hopes and distinctive dreams for your life. You are beautiful and wonderfully created by God. You are wonderfully made. We are ALL CREATED UNIQUELY BY OUR CREATOR! Please watch this inspirational 2-minute video titled, Wonderfully Made – Psalm 139:13–16 (NIV) For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. The Bible declares that God knit us together while we were in the secret place of our mother’s womb. His works are wonderful. You were created wonderfully! All that He does is good! Sadly, many of us have a hard time acknowledging the “good” within us. We may have believed negative lies about ourselves for so long that it is a challenge to see the good within us, but it is true. First let us recognize the truths of who we are in Christ. (You can add to these lists.) In Him, I am . . . Loved, Saved, Redeemed, Beautiful, Forgiven, Protected, Set Free, Filled, Fruitful, Wise, Kind, Enough, Safe, Covered, Never Alone, Unique, Gifted, Called, Anointed, Faith-filled, Courageous, Patient, Joyful, Faithful, Heard, Seen, Helped, Cherished, a Light, a New Creation, a Worshiper, Made Whole, and a Dearly Loved Child of God. I am blessed! That is who we are in Christ, no matter how we feel. Here are some additional I am statements that others have shared with me. I am . . . His Child, Creative, Smart, Compassionate, Loving, Helpful, Caring, Strong-Willed, Focused, Fun, Real, Diligent, Hopeful, Free to Be Me, Free for All Eternity, Artistic, Creative, Complete, Wanting Nothing, Full, Loyal, Sensitive, Observant, Leader, Accepting of Others, Encouraging, Determined, Musical, Responsible, a Hard Worker, a Counselor, and a Good Listener. I am His! “I am . . . in need of You, Lord!” Own who you are in Christ. After reading those statements, were there a few descriptive words that describe you?
Write them down and label them ~ I am…
Now take a few minutes and consider how amazingly God created you.
Over the following days remind yourself of who you are and whose you are.
Writing these statements can feel uncomfortable, for me too. But no matter how we feel this is who we are! You are seen and known by Almighty God. It was a long time before I felt and believed the truth that I am loved by God.
It was equally as difficult to rethink my characteristics as gifts, but it is clear that God equipped me with a strong-will, determination and a sensitive heart to lead me through my hard past, right into His open arms. He equips us with what we need to fulfill His plan and THRIVE.
Reply and share with me 3 of your “I am . . .” statements.
In Him . . . I am loved, made whole, and diligent.
Dawn