Ask Me Who I Am

I've endeavored to greet people I see with an expression that breathes, "I'm so glad to see you." It is my goal to communicate to everyone I cross paths with that they've made my day brighter just by being.

This is a learned effort, one taught by an employer, calling it the 6-foot rule. Anyone who comes within 6 feet of my person is worthy of a smile and a greeting. Many times, I fail. But when I am successful, my hope is that they walk away feeling a little lighter in their steps.

Recently, I met someone who reminds me of someone I used to see in the mirror. She's timid and has no idea how much she is loved. She is surprised whenever I tell her she's beautiful. That she is strong. She doesn't see it in her reflection.

Yet.

As I have prayed for this woman, I have been reminded of the many times my Father has spoken of His love for his children, myself included. But like my new friend, I struggled to see the person my Father spoke of. And because I couldn't see, I feared God would eventually grow tired of me and turn His back, exhausted that my thick skull couldn't hold the gift of love He offered.

For years, I battled social anxiety, panic attacks, and imposter syndrome as they pushed and pressed me into isolation and feelings of abandonment. I spent time apologizing for my existence, comparing myself to others to prove I was sorely lacking, while determined to seek God for a miracle in my mind and heart.

Faithful to His word, God began to break down the walls built for self-preservation and security and expose lies believed from childhood. He opened my eyes to see how our words hold power, whether wielded by a trusted individual in our lives or ourselves. He followed this by showing me His truth about how He sees His children.

While I have made progress in overcoming, I continue to work towards wholeness in Christ.

Please know, I don't share these things to gain sympathy. Instead, I have grown to learn we are not alone in our struggles. Like this new friend, like myself, we need to remind one another of our worth in Christ. We need to remind ourselves. 

Scripture tells us, "And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even. unto death," (Revelation 12: 11).

I'm going to keep this short today, but want to share some tools for battle in claiming our identity in Christ:

Insert your name in these. See yourself as the recipient of these powerful promises.

• For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8: 38, 39).
• For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete (2 Corinthians 10: 3-6).
• But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2: 7).
• Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit (Proverbs 18: 21). We have this as a weapon. How we use it can either build or destroy. Use wisely.

Speak Life. Speak Truth. And as you do, you'll be able to say of yourself as the girl in this video does:

You are not alone. 💖👪

Ask Me Who I Am