Identity

“Become so confident in who you are that no one’s opinions, rejection or behavior can rock you.” ~ Unknown

For me, my whole identity lies in Christ. I am only who God says I am and I thrive to be confident in this.  When I am, I am not offended or moved by the actions or words of others.

I cannot command anything of anyone or force anything from anyone. I am not their Lord. I have no control over what others do or think or say. So being stirring in offense, depression or anger, I find is an exhausting waste of time and energy.  Since I cannot control the actions, words or thoughts of others, I find I have more peace when I use my time and energy to focus on what I know from the Word of God to be true.

1.      I glorify God when I overlook offense –

Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense. Proverbs 19:11

2.      When I choose not to engage in the pettiness of someone else’s behavior, to others, I may look weak, but the word of God says that to do so for the sake of Christ is actually a strength! So I don’t care what it looks like, I care what God says it actually is.  -  

For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. – 2 Corinthians 12:10

3.       It is also a sign of wisdom –

The vexation of a fool is known at once, but the prudent ignores an insult.

4.      I don’t need to prove anything. I am not better –

Do not take to heart all the things that people say, lest you hear your servant cursing you. Your heart knows that many times you yourself have cursed others. – Eccelesiastes 7:21-22

5.      If I really want to see change, the Lord tells me that how I respond can make a difference. -  

And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil

6.      In addition to kindness, regardless of the offense, my real weapon is prayer –

In return for my love they accuse me, but I give myself to prayer. Psalm 109:4

Wow, overlooking offense, being content with weaknesses and insults, ignoring insults, not taking what people say to heart, not be quarrelsome, being kind, patiently enduring evil?  Is this even possible? Yes, it is. Jesus was our perfect example. “But I am not Jesus”. No we are not, be we have the Holy Spirit in us which Jesus said will empower us to do what he did. Even greater. (John 14:12)

For the believer, these things are not always easy to swallow. They really go against the grain of what we may feel is natural. But to the believer, I say, this is part of the discipline of dying to self.  Of walking in the spirit and not in the flesh. This is part of being a new creation. ♥

 Prayer:

Lord, my flesh is weak and my will is flawed. I desire to walk in your spirit, surrendered to your will alone. To you Lord, I lift up my soul, to you Lord I trust. Lord, your word says that none who wait for you shall be put to shame. Help me to hear only your voice, teach me your ways, lead me in your truth. For you are the God of my salvation. In the name of your beloved son Jesus, I bring to you this prayer. Amen.