Stepping Stones: Do You Know Who You Are?

February 23, 2012

Transformational Thought

An amazing turning point in my life occurredwhen God woke me up to realize I spent 25 years of my life building up and hiding behind defenses. These defenses gave me an illusion that I was protected and in control, but in reality, I was just getting more endangered and farther out of control.

When we hide behind self-built defenses, we may have a sense that we are in control. We tell ourselves that we're holding our feelings in check, avoiding conflict, stepping around sticky situations. But in reality we are not in control at all. Our problems and need to avoid discomfort have been at the wheel steering the course of life. We’ve pushed away the people who really care about us and could really help us. We’ve put off growing useful skills to strategically attack adversity head-on. And we've allowed our problem, our situation, to take control. It’s the proverbial “slippery slope” to destruction.

This is exactly where Satan wants us. We buy into his lie that these defenses are self-protective. The reality is that they are actually self-destructive, both immediately and down the road. In this spiritual battle, when we try to defend ourselves from our own strength, our defenses become allies of the enemy. Only when we allow our defensive walls to crumble and really start living through the power of the Holy Spirit and the instruction of The Holy Bible, can we begin to practice true self-control … choosing and acting on the basis of who we are in Christ and relying on all the strength, guidance, and wisdom God has promised and will provide.

Most of our defenses are born from needless or exaggerated fear, from not knowing the truth about the spiritual realities of life, and not knowing the spiritual weapons at our disposal to fight our own “demons” and Satan’s evil forces.

But know that, because of and through Christ …
You are redeemed - paid for at a great price. (Ephesians 1:7)
You are forgiven - your sin as far as condemnation, has been forgotten. (Psalm 103:12)
You are strong and capable - you can do everything through Christ. (Philippians 4:13)
You are a conqueror - an overcomer. (Romans 8:37)

Today, examine your areas of stress. Do you let your circumstances or your feelings control you? Do your defenses, that is, your coping mechanisms, help you … or do they just act as knee-jerk bridges to the next stressor? Build your defenses on Biblical principles, not just to escape your stressor, but to shine and be strengthened by that very stressor. Know yourself and be seen as God sees you … the Bible makes it clear who you are as a Christian. Why, when under pressure, do you have trouble believing how God sees you? Why are you turning to worldly answers for your spiritual yearnings? Life is your decision, so choose well.

Prayer
Dear Father God, Help me to stop hiding behind my self-built, self-destructive defenses. Help me to see myself as You do because of Christ: redeemed, forgiven, strong, capable, and an overcomer. I know I get sucked into my old way of thinking, cringe at adversity, and get complacent during good times. Help me remember always what a great price Jesus paid at the cross so that I could have this new identity. I pray this and all prayers through the One whom You sent to pay for my new identity, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!

The Truth
In everything we have won more than a victory because of Christ who loves us.
Romans 8:37

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Galatians 2:20