How Do You Define Yourself

1 Peter 2:24-25 “He personally carried our sins in His body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By His wounds you are healed. Once you were like sheep who wandered away. But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls.”

We should not define someone by their lowest moment. Nor should we label them by their weakest moments in their life.

Ok, so we have ALL made unwise choices. Sometimes it has affected others, and sometimes only to our own demise.  But what about the legacy we leave behind? I know, I know – in the moment of the suffering or consequences of our actions, it can seem like a horrible legacy we are leaving. Take hope my friend – take hope in knowing that you are not alone! However, the bible shows us several people who have made poor choices, yet what we “know” them by, is their faith in God and not by their weakest moments in their life. Sure, we know the stories of the bad choices, but that is not the first thing that pops into our minds when we first hear their name. Most people, when facing a challenge or hardship actually draw closer to the One who actually defines them. Jesus. Through watching how they react or respond to what is going on, is how we end up defining them in the long run. Which, hopefully, draws others to Jesus in the process.

King David – what do we know him as? “A man after God’s own heart.” However, do we also know that he made some REALLY bad choices? Yes. But when he gets talked about, compared to, and used in most examples – his ‘legacy’ is that he was a man after God’s own heart – not all of the bad/wrong/destructive choices he made.

King Solomon – what do we know him as? “The wisest man who ever lived.” He too made some poor choices that affected many people and their lives. Yet, when most people speak of him, their first reference is that he was the wisest man who ever lived.

Noah – what is the first thing that comes to mind with his name? “The ark.” He was the one that helped ‘save’ civilization by populating the earth with people and animals. Yet, he too made some horrible mistakes that are written down in history, but not what defines him.

Now, Adam is a bit tricky LOL – we have two thoughts that normally spring to mind about him and Eve. They are the ones that ‘break the rule’ a bit. Normally we think of them as the “First of ALL people. The parents to us ALL.” But then, there is the whole apple and sin thing – they get defined by that a lot. Yet, even in THAT definition – there is great strength and power shown by God and His mercy and grace given to us all because of their choices.

Why is this important to see, hear, understand? Because we too are human! We too do dumb things that can cause hurt, pain, separation, devastation in not just our life, heart and soul – but in the lives of others. Our actions DO have repercussions, but it is how we draw to the Make of our lives, that can actually be our “defining moments” in our lives and those of the ones we love.

How are you defining yourself? Are you only looking at and dwelling on the “bad choices” you have ever made? Are you stuck in the spin cycle of negativism? Do you only see dark clouds looming over you? STOP IT!! You are here!! You are alive! You have choices! You have options! You have more power and control that you realize. No, you cannot get out of the pit of despair on your own, alone! You need Jesus to guide you and lead you in the way you should go. You need to go and be with other believers, share your burdens, and ask for help through prayer. You need to put on the full armor of God that He so freely gives us each and every day! You and I MUST look around us and praise God for things. Look and see what He is doing, and how He is providing things for you. Sure they may not be as you “planned” but even in this, He is giving you blessings and mercy. Look for it – see it – praise Him for it!! Yes, you guessed it – I’m going to suggest that you take a walk and praise God through the ABC’s.  Then, when you start to say “who you are” – the love of God and His blessing will be your definition.