7 Day Identity Challenge: Day Six

       For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mothers womb. 

                                                                                                                          Psalm 139:13

                                                                           
                                     Wow. Sixth day of the challenge already! What are you thinking about this day? I hope this challenge is changing your perspective of yourself and of God. Let's continue. 

                                     In this day and age, education is the biggest thing that can be obtained. America's god of choice seems to be education. It's not a choice whether you want to go to school or not. It's a part of life. Most of all going to college. Every senior in high school is asked the question of what college they are going to about a million times in their last year of school.  After grade school and college is done, everyone asks the question; "so...what school did you go to?" 

                                   Well, what about those who couldn't afford school? The high school drop out? The one who didn't want to go to school but now regrets it? Do we hold education in higher esteem than people? Than God? Sometimes I think so. We believe that when you are full of knowledge, that is where your worth comes from. No! And that brings us to today's identity in Christ. 

                                   Our identity in Christ in this area of our life is that to be in God's family we don't need to accumulate knowledge in order to belong.  We are unique. We all notice different things, have different perspectives. God created all of our minds to work at different levels and paces.  We shouldn't expect an artistic mind to come up with math  questions or a scientist to write a song and sing it (maybe there's someone who can do all of those!) .  The fact of the matter is, we are all unique. We need to remember that. Don't base your whole identity off of what you learn and how much you learn. Base it on who God made you to be in Him: A unique woman with a unique perspective on the world.        

7 Day Identity Challenge: Day Five

                    Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 
                                                                                                                
                                                                                                               Philippians 4:6-7

                              We've learned that our identity is that we are deeply loved by God in spite of our past. We're valuable  the way God made us. We're worthy of God's love and we don't have to earn it. And we are clothed with righteousness because of Christ!

                            Which brings us now to day five. Another lie we believe makes our identity is our emotions. We think that we're too angry, too happy, too serious, too sad. People may tell you that you need to tone down your ______. Fill in the blank of emotion. We may even tell people; "I'm the happy one in the family.I'm always staying happy for everyone!"We feel as women like we're volcanoes of emotional mush that could overflow at any minute!

                             Take heart, sisters! That doesn't define who we are. Our identity in this area is that we are accepted where we are. Yes, God calls us to surrender emotional baggage that weighs us down spiritually, emotionally and even physically. It's okay if you are sad, mad, happy etc. during seasons in your life. That's the way it is! But, don't let it define you. Remember that God loves you where you are. 







                   http://www.careeraddict.com/avoid-having-a-meltdown-at-the-office

7 Day Identity Challenge: Day Four

                              Put on then, as God's chosen one's, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness,  and patience.
                                                                                  Colossians 3:12

                          As women, what is usually our biggest focus? Clothing. Whether you care greatly or care little we put our identity into the clothes we wear. 

                         We believe that the clothes make the girl. If your clothes are frumpy, dirty and dingy then that is the kind of woman you are. Lazy, boring and low hygienic. If you are a sophisticated, classy and fashionable dressing woman it means your intelligent, hardworking and worth getting to know. Yes, clothes can make a first oppression but hey, come on! Lets not be so shallow as that.

                      The truth of our identity in this area is that we're clothed with righteousness. Because of Jesus, He has made us right and fit to be able to be in God's presence. The King! No matter where you go, no matter what you're wearing, you are dressed spiritually like a princess with grace, hope and joy. It won't matter what clothes you have on your frame because people will see it in your eyes. They even may catch a glimpse of that royal dress you're walking around in.          

7 Day Identity Challenge: Day Three

                   

             So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 

                                                                                                      1 Corinthians 10:31

                   
                    The next aspect of life that influences our identity is work.  If we have a well-paying job, one that shows off our intellect, our riches and material wealth then we're valuable. We teach our children that having a good paying job deems we're worthy of anything. 

                   What are we thinking? This makes us exhausted and grouchy. We end up not wanting to have anything to do with our family because we want to be alone. Having a full time career isn't a bad thing. What's bad is if our heart is filled with selfish ambition. We want to work harder and prove that we're a part of  the team. Or we have to prove that we're worth other's time.

                  You know what's the next thing that influences our identity in Christ? Our sense of our own worth. We are worthy of God's love simply because we exist. We don't have to have a career to prove ourselves. What God wants from us is full surrender. He wants to show us how precious we are to Him. We are worthy of love and we are valuable because each of us is the daughter of God. 

7 Day Identity Challenge: Day Two

                        "The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."
                                                    1 Samuel 16:7

                           The next belief that influences our identity is our body. We get messages from all angles that say to be the best you is to be skinny, have clear, flawless skin and curves to die for. We believe that how we look is a part of what makes us...us. Yes, part of how we are identified is by our face and our finger prints and such but there's so much more to our identity. We focus on our outward appearance as identifying us as beautiful, ugly, strong, weak, etc.

                           In truth, our identity is that we are valuable. God has made you just the way you are. You are valuable because you belong to The King! No matter what lies people say, they can change your view of yourself but they can't change the reality of who you are.  You are a beautiful creation. If you don't believe that, I know it sounds like a bunch of bologna. I used to think badly about myself ( I still do at times). When I look in the mirror and start to beat down or criticize myself I would close my eyes and ask God to show me what I look like in His eyes. Or I would tell myself that I am beautiful and valuable.  

                               Remember, the hardest critic of your own body is yourself.

    

See yourself as God sees you: a beautiful masterpiece!

                               

                              

                          

                               

7 Day Identity Challenge: Day one

         
                                  To bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. 
                                                                                                     Isaiah 61:3

                 For the next seven days I will challenge you about what you base your identity on.

                 As women we base our identity on many things. It puts so much pressure on us. It can become overwhelming and it can make our lives confusing. And if someone were to ask, "who are you?" would you be able to answer?

                  Do you base who you are on what has happened to you? Abused, made fun of, raped, looked down upon, neglected, molested, etc. Whether or not what happened to you played a big or small part in your life; it shaped your character. It did not, however, shape your identity. You could be fearful, stubborn, bitter, angry, anxious, depressed and just plain hurt. But that can change! Your identity, though, can never change. 

                 God can redeem your past. All He wants from you is your trust and for you to surrender to Him. Now that is tough. If you've been holding onto hurt for a long time, it will be like peeling an old dirt covered band-aid off your skin. Now that hurts!! It's needed though. He will clean that wound with His truth and cover it with his grace and mercy. 
           
                Your true identity is based on the fact that you are loved deeply. The bad things that happened to you were not necessarily your fault. Someone wronged you. But, if you are continuing a sin pattern because of the bad experience, let it go. That sin does not define you, either. Believe me, it will be hard to let go of that addiction that has comforted or soothed you so it's better to let Christ be your only source of eternal comfort. Talk to Jesus today. He is your Wonderful Counselor.       

                           Here is a website that has helped me greatly. If you are struggling with sexual addiction there is hope for you. 

http://dirtygirlsministries.com/