DON’T LET OTHERS DEFINE YOU

So many times, people with low self-esteem wander aimlessly in this world letting others define them. Don’t fall into that trap. Regardless of what your occupation is, what you do is not who you are. You may serve others, but you must understand you are not their servants. You have to value yourself enough to know that you are special.

The Bible tells us that you were fearfully and wonderfully made. In Genesis, it is stated that you were made in the image of God. What other creation can say that? When you stand back and evaluate what a wonderful and amazing body God gave you, it should motivate you to want to utilize all the talents and skills with which he has blessed you.

Mike Kruger quoted Meister Eckhart (1260-1327) who said, “People should think less about what they ought to do and more about what they ought to be. If only their being were good, their works would shine forth brightly. The ground upon which good character rests is the very same ground from which man’s work derives its value, namely, a mind wholly turned to God”.

Kruger goes on to ask, “Are you more caught up in your status? Or in your stature? Do you want people to see all your acts of service and commend you? Or do you consider God knowing what you do to be enough? Are you more focused on success than on sacrifice?

When we each meet God face to face one day, all the success and accolades, and even good deeds will mean little…It will be our relationship with Christ and our measure of character that will count.

When you consider who you are, know who you are in Christ. For believers, when you became born again, you became new creatures in Christ. There was an internal change or transformation that took place in you. And by being in Christ you inherited tremendous power because you are now merged with the second person of the Godhead and the one who spoke everything into existence. You now are merged with divinity. This is what you got when God the Father extended to you His grace (unmerited favor) at the heart of which was Jesus Christ. So, the following are some important things to note.

group therapy

Once a friend of mine said, “Ken if you don’t have an agenda of your own, you will become part of someone else’s agenda.” And I found that to be so true. If you are not careful, you will be helping someone else accomplish his or her goals in life, and at the same time discarding your own. And when you look back and reflect on your life, you will be amazed at the accolades and accomplishments the people you supported have received while you are in the shadows of absurdity. This is not all bad, because you are more than a degree or piece of paper. Those things should not define who you are . You are more than that because you are in Christ and Christ is in you. And because Christ is in you, you have the ability to be an overcomer in this world. And in fact, you can be a world changer.

There are several verses in the Bible that reflect this. Revelations 12:11 says that you are an overcomer by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of your testimony. These are two powerful things-the shed blood of our Lord and Savior and sinless lamb Jesus Christ and the word of your testimony sharing how the Godhead has positively impacted your life. Then in 1 John 4:4b which says greater is he that is in you (Christ Jesus) than he who is in the world (Satan). You have the co-creator of everything in you-the one who spoke everything into existence, and the one who is at the heart of God the Father’s amazing grace. It just doesn’t get better than that. And Philippians 4:13 says I can do anything through Christ who strengthens me. There is nothing you can’t do because of who resides in you.

Just remember, God has plans for you as is written in Jeremiah 29:11. And God always wants to take you from where you are to a better place. All you need do is believe in and trust Him. Do not put your confidence in man. [Psalm 118:8]. Learn to listen to the Lord and not to the negative words of the world. Always remember that God is a possibility thinker.

CONCLUSION

God has thoughts and plans for you to prosper you, never to harm you, and to give you hope and a future. Learn to listen to and heed the promptings and counsel of the Holy Spirit and not man. Mankind will discourage you, manipulate you, and influence you to get off your course in pursuing God and performing His will according to His purpose. You should do what is necessary to gain God’s favor so you will have his covering and receive his wisdom and understanding which will enable you to be successful in all your endeavors that line up with His will.

Who are you listening to; God’s voice or the voices of the world? Are you being guided by the Holy Spirit? Do you have your own agenda, or are you following someone else’s agenda?

Feel free to comment below, if you are led.