I try to lead by example and practice what I preach. So on Tuesday, when I asked you to pause and answer nine questions about yourself, I paused and honestly answered the same questions about myself.
I think it is important to be transparent and honest. My answers are not always happy and rose-colored. Here’s one of my answers from Tuesday:
- On a scale from 1-10, how tired are you? Can you pinpoint the reasons why you are tired- baby in the house, lack of sleep, dealing with stressful circumstances….?
“Today I am about an eight!!! It’s been almost a week of sickness in our house. I still haven’t unpacked the suitcases from the trip. I have had extra loads laundry to do. Washing bedding multiple times, sometimes in the middle of the night, and disinfecting the house. The kids have been up at night. I am working through a difficult situation and praying about how best to deal with it in love.Side note: Conflict exhausts me. On top of that, I have been staying up too late instead of going to bed when I should. And we lost an hour of sleep with daylight savings time. Today, I am mentally, emotionally, and physically TIRED!”
I want to tell you something that has been weighing on my heart all week and I think is important to get straight before we go on.
Your worth as a person is not defined by how you answered these questions.
You are not defined by your emotions.
You are not defined by exhaustion.
You are not defined by your circumstances.
You are not defined by your failures.
You are not defined by what others say that you are.
You are not defined by the car you drive, the size of your house or the clothes that you wear.
You are not defined by your past.
You are not defined by your inadequacies.
You are not defined by your housekeeping abilities (Praise Jesus!)
You are not defined by your time management skills.
You are not defined by your to-do list and how many items have been checked (or not checked off).
“God knows exactly who you are; He made you. He knows every weakness, every strength, and He loves you the same.” -Sarah Mae 1
You are defined by God alone and only God.
God says you are…
His Child
“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!”– 1 John 3:1 (NIV)
Chosen
4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will Ephesians 1:4-5 (NIV)
A New Creation
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!–2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)
His Masterpiece
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.–Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)
Loved
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 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 8:37-39 (ESV)
Made Complete Through Grace and Mercy
9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. –2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV)
Dear Reader,
You are so loved! A kind, patient, and understanding God cares about you. He wants us to go to him weary, imperfect and exhausted. He wants to be our strength, shield, comfort, and joy. As we move forward in our discussion of time, please grab hold of these truths and keep them close to our heart. We need to stat believing who God says we are and push aside who we think we are. Let’s not forget to invite God along with us on this journey to move forward purposely in faith and working toward learning some new things.
Xo Shanna
Click on the link below to the print the identity verses. Place it where you can see them often and be reminded of who you really are.
MOPS Talk-Identity in Christ Who God Says I Am
embraceenthusiasm.net 