I was having a conversation with a friend last night, and he described some people he knew by saying, “they just love people”.
It got me wondering this morning how other people would describe me if asked. Or an even better question, how would I describe myself?
As I can be my own worst critic, this conversation in my head started to cause me to feel disappointed and frustrated. That was until our youngest son Isaac walked into the room to say hi. I asked him how he would describe me, and he proceeded to give me a lot of adjectives about how great I was. As he talked, I realised how important it is to look at our positive attributes and achievements rather than focus on our failings and weaknesses.
The truth is Jesus doesn’t talk about me the way I talk about myself a lot of the time. He thinks we are amazing and wants us to become our own biggest cheerleaders – to learn to give ourselves warm fuzzies regularly. (a warm fuzzy is a kind comment and something we like or know about the person we are writing a warm fuzzy for.)
God also doesn’t have a problem with speaking things that are not, as though they are. It’s how the universe was formed and how God calls things into being. He encourages us to practice speaking who we are in Him and all we want to become. Then we can spend our lives continually growing as a person and enjoying that journey, rather than being focused on our past or any weaknesses and failings!
“By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.” (Hebrews 11:3 ESV)
“In the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.” (Romans 4:17 ESV)
After receiving some warm fuzzies from Isaac (and giving him some too), I started making a list of 50 words that describe how I want to be described. Words such as; positive, kind, generous, adventurous, brave, creative, successful, spiritual, deep, insightful, connected, open-hearted, forward-thinking, fit, healthy, forgiving, optimistic, dependable, hospitable, compassionate, smiley, relaxed, welcoming, inspiring …….
As I wrote my fifty words, I was reminded of who I am according to Jesus. It’s the best parts of me, all I desire to become, and the language Jesus uses when He cheers me on. It's the principle of what you focus upon will determine your reality. “Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts.” (Proverbs 4:23 GNT)
Today, I encourage you to choose to become your own greatest cheerleader; give yourself regular warm fuzzies and concentrate on who and what you are becoming rather than where you have come from. It’s not where you start but where you finish that matters in the end.
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
“So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority” (Colossians 2:10).
“For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7).
“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well” (Psalm 139:14).
Prayer: Lord, please help me concentrate on who I am becoming and all you say I am rather than where I have come from. I thank you that I am forgiven and part of your family and that regardless of how I may have started, you are faithful to finish what you’ve started in me. In Jesus name. Amen.
Comments