Hi there! Welcome back to our series on Godly self-love. In the previous blog post, we unfolded how often we undermine how much of a miracle and blessing we are, and the importance of embracing your God-given identity.
It’s not about seeking validation from people but believing in God’s perspective of us and confidently embracing it. Furthermore, how by doing so we begin to see a shift in our lives and impact people positively.
In this blog post, we will be touching on how, although God reveals our true identity to us, our wrong mindsets become a barrier to seeing the fulfillment of becoming who God created us to be. We may be unappreciative of the life God has destined us to live, and the gifts and talents He has blessed us with.
Therefore, it is crucial to identify any thought process that does not align with God’s and allow the Holy Spirit to teach us the right way of thinking. Being teachable makes room for change, allowing us to see ourselves as miracles and be blessings. We appreciate how God has created others and encourage one another to remain rooted in their authentic identity in Christ.
Valuing One Another’s Gift, Calling & Talents
It’s disheartening to see the division within the Body of Christ today. We forget that the Lord is the source of ALL the gifts, ministries, and talents.
When we comprehend that the gifts and ministries God has given us are not to bring glory to ourselves but to bring glory to Him, we won’t find the need to compete or fight with one another, for we will understand that it all plays a role in the advancement of God’s kingdom.
Therefore, why would I, a believer of Christ, be willing to be someone who stands against God’s ways? Not understanding how God uses certain gifts or ministries doesn’t mean you should oppose them.
Seeking God’s Wisdom
Rather, that is an opportunity to seek and ask God to give you His understanding, knowledge, and wisdom. However, also accept that God won’t reveal everything to everyone but will show He is working through His people.
The mistake some believers make is, that when they don’t understand they oppose. They are ready to persecute their fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, rather than praying with the right heart posture. Do you know that if your heart is not prepared to accept that God is working through the person you might convince yourself that God is revealing the person’s insincerity?
God may not have addressed the subject with you because you’re not ready for the truth and might twist it.
For example, we see this with Paul before he came to Christ. Since he lacked revelation and understanding of God’s ways, he went against God without realizing it. In his human comprehension, opposing Jesus seemed like serving God, but he was fighting against the God he believed in.
He didn’t have the revelation that Jesus was indeed the Messiah. Now, some believers tend to do the same thing without realization. They go against the kingdom of God by persecuting fellow believers, because of lack of revelation.
Notice the keywords ‘seek and ask God’. We live in a time where many falsehoods are lurking around. Keeping this in mind, we shouldn’t accept anything quickly without first testing the spirit (1 John 4:1-4).
Through prayer and meditation of God’s Word, alongside the guidance of the Spirit of God, discernment will be sharpened. You will tell what is of Jesus and what is not.
Unlocking Potential Through Community
Additionally, it’s essential to recognize that our journey of self-discovery and empowerment is not meant to be undertaken alone. God has designed us for a community, where we can encourage, support, and sharpen one another in our pursuit of purpose and fulfillment.
By fostering authentic relationships within the body of Christ, we create spaces where individuals can thrive, discovering and deploying their God-given gifts and talents for the greater good. In the embrace of community, we find strength, accountability, and inspiration to boldly step into the fullness of who God has called us to be.
Living with Intentionality
Furthermore, realizing our potential as vessels of God’s grace requires a deliberate commitment to embracing our God-given identity and living with intentionality and purpose. It involves aligning our priorities, actions, and aspirations with God’s kingdom values. Seeking first His righteousness and the advancement of His purposes in the world.
Through prayer, reflection, and obedience to His Word, we cultivate a lifestyle marked by intentionality, stewardship, and a relentless pursuit of excellence in all we do. In doing so, we honor God with our lives and become catalysts for His transformative work in our spheres of influence.
Biblical Characters Embracing Their God-given Identity
Let us look into the lives of a few biblical characters who recognized themselves as miracles and blessings to others.
Abraham
“The LORD said to Abram:
Go from your land, your relatives, and your father’s house
to the land that I will show you. I will make you into a great nation, I will bless you, I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, I will curse anyone who treats you with contempt, and all the peoples on earth will be blessed through you.So Abram went, as the LORD had told him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran. He took his wife, Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had accumulated, and the people they had acquired in Haran, and they set out for the land of Canaan.”-Genesis 12:1-5
When we read the story of Abraham, his faith in God is one of the things that truly stands out, hence, why he is called the father of faith.
Abraham’s confidence in God fueled his faith that God’s promises about his identity would be fulfilled. By embracing his God-given identity, Abraham became a blessing to many nations. If Abraham did not continue to view God as the Creator of all things and himself as a blessing, I doubt we would be able to read of his amazing life and the mighty impact he had on the generations that came after him, which is still at work to date.
Joseph
“Then the seven years of abundance in the land of Egypt came to an end, and the seven years of famine began, just as Joseph had said. There was famine in every land, but in the whole land of Egypt there was food. When the whole land of Egypt was stricken with famine, the people cried out to Pharaoh for food. Pharaoh told all Egypt, “Go to Joseph and do whatever he tells you.” Now the famine had spread across the whole region, so Joseph opened all the storehouses and sold grain to the Egyptians, for the famine was severe in the land of Egypt. Every land came to Joseph in Egypt to buy grain, for the famine was severe in every land.”-Genesis 41:53-57
The ways of God are truly one of a kind, as seen through the life of Joseph. He endured many challenges, including the rejection and betrayal of his brothers. Their bitterness went as far as selling him into slavery in Egypt, a foreign land. Despite all this, Joseph held onto God, making his story remarkable.
Joseph didn’t allow His situation to derail him from living God’s planned destiny. As mentioned in Part 1, we see results only when we do what God expects.
Faithfulness in Hardship
Despite being in prison, Joseph did what God expected of him and stood out. His focus remained on God, and he allowed God to work on him.
This led to God strategically using him to save Egypt and neighboring nations, including his family, from famine. This powerful revelation shows that despite our hardships, we should continue to view ourselves in God’s light.
It may be difficult to understand why such hardships occur; however, we must trust in God and allow Him to use us as He sees fit since He knows best. Joseph served the Lord through his diligent work ethic in his master Potiphar’s house, earning authority over Potiphar’s property with God’s favor.
Furthermore, we see his diligence in prison, resulting in the warden placing him in charge of all the prisoners and everything that took place there. Joseph didn’t allow challenges to suffocate his ability to use the spiritual gift God gave him or his desire to help and serve others. This is evident when he interprets dreams for fellow prisoners, acknowledging God as the source of the interpretations.
All of this teaches us that despite life’s painful experiences, we should never let them define who we are. We should remain steadfast in our faith in God and believe in who He says we are. Furthermore, we should never allow the storms to turn our hearts cold, forgetting to serve others in God’s love.
This is not to say it will not be a struggle. Joseph found it hard to forgive his siblings (Genesis 42-45) but eventually did so. He understood that in all the sufferings, God had a bigger purpose: the fulfillment of his destiny.
Esther
‘Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 16 “Go and assemble all the Jews who can be found in Susa and fast for me. Don’t eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my female servants will also fast in the same way. After that, I will go to the king even if it is against the law. If I perish, I perish.”’-Esther 4:15-16
Esther was a queen chosen by God for a crucial time. When she becomes queen she conceals her Jewish identity. Yet, when the court official Haman plots to annihilate the Jews, she has no choice but to reveal the truth.
She acknowledged that God did not give her a spirit of timidity but of courage. She embraced her calling as a queen, understanding that God had strategically placed her in the kingdom for such a time.
From her life story, we learn that God chooses who He desires, despite human disapproval or unfitting backgrounds. Esther did not shy away from her duty, but recognized her power and used it to stop the bloodshed. This is a reminder, to acknowledge the traits, callings, and most importantly the God that lives in you.
Quick question: Do you know your worth and truly value yourself?
Allow God To Fill You Up
When we are spiritually, mentally, and emotionally drained, embracing our God-given identity becomes tough. Therefore, we don’t see the miracle that we are. Negativity clouds our thoughts making it difficult to believe in God’s truth.
Hence, we must continuously ask the Holy Spirit to give us the strength to seek God consistently. For, when we consistently seek God to know Him, we gain knowledge of ourselves, and make room to receive divine revelation only found in Him.
The mistake we sometimes make is that when the transformation journey becomes challenging instead of holding onto God’s hand, we let go. Not understanding it is only Him who can fill us up, and give us the strength to continue the journey of becoming our authentic selves.
As you reflect on this message, I encourage you to take a moment and ask yourself:
- Are there areas where you must let go of negativity and embrace God’s truth about you?
- How can you seek God more consistently in your daily life?
A Prayer
“Lord, help us to see ourselves as You see us. Fill us up with Your Holy Spirit, renew our minds, and give us the strength to walk confidently in our God-given identity. Teach us to value the gifts and talents You have blessed us with and support one another in our faith journey. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Remember, you are a miracle and a blessing. Embrace your God-given identity and live it out with intentionality and purpose.
