I wonder if there is inside all of us a little version of ourselves. The little and immature person who might still be fearful, doubtful, grumpy, easily offended or insecure. It’s the person who you hopefully on most days have grown past and no longer resemble.
But faced with a decision, obstacle, relationship issue or something that makes you feel insecure that little person; the little Bob or little Jan; the little whatever your name is can still pipe up and want to be heard and to dictate your actions, beliefs and responses.
The question we get to answer every day is whether we will listen to that little person and do what they say, or whether we will stop and address that little person inside of us and tell ourselves, ‘It’s okay, everything’s good, God’s got this and to shush now”.
Whether we like it or not everyone can have triggers that attempt to take us back to our former selves or reveal and cause our hidden issues to flare up. However maturity is recognising these triggers and seeking to face, deal with and overcome them. To understand how we are wired and what circumstances we find difficult and then safeguarding against the Little version of ourselves hijacking our responses and subsequently our decisions and beliefs in life.
Jesus encouraged a guy called Peter not to be hijacked by the former little version of himself who had messed up, fallen into fear and denied even knowing Jesus in his time of suffering. Peter could have remained the little version of himself, gone back to his former way of life and spent the rest of his journey beating himself up over his mistakes and weaknesses.
Fortunately for “Little Peter” Jesus called out to him and instead of relating to him as Little Peter, He spoke to Him of who he was to become and his future. Jesus reminded him that He had called Him Simon Peter which means rock, and upon that rock Jesus said He would build His church. Big words for a Little Peter who had just denied even knowing Jesus. (Luke 22:54-62; John 21:15-17)
Fortunately, Simon Peter chose to tell the Little version of himself to be quiet from that point on wards, and true to Jesus’ words became the mighty and faithful man of God Jesus had spoke about. Jesus called those things that were not, as though they were, and Simon Peter did become that steady, faithful “rock.” (Romans 4:17)
Today what version of yourself are you listening to the most? The Little person who reminds you of your fears, insecurities, mess up’s and issues, or the grown one who Jesus calls faithful, courageous, successful and an over comer.
Next time the Little version of yourself starts talking up, turn and tell your “little self” that, “You’ve got this, that Jesus has you in the palm of His hand, that you are loved and everything is going to be alright”, because you’re not that “little person” anymore and even if you think you are, you’re definitely not going to stay that way for long if you listen up to Jesus calling.
“And to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:24)
“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” (2 Timothy 1:7)
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1)
“No in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” (Romans 8:37)
Prayer: Lord thank you that I don’t have to remain as the” little version” of myself. Please help me to move on and to take hold of who you say I am and are becoming today. In Jesus name Amen.
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