Do you live in the present truth of who you are? Or do you dwell on the past feelings of what you’ve done, what you regret, and who you’ve been?
Oh, friend, God has given you a brand new day. It’s a day full of mercy and freedom just for you.
God doesn’t want you to dwell on your past. If you do, you will start to dwell in your past. You will live stuck in past mistakes, chained up by old lies, and bound by regret. But, God says, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” (Isaiah 43:18-19)
Don’t you want that? Don’t you need that? I want… need… to forget the former things!
I don’t want to dwell in the past or on the past! I need to dwell in the present truth of who I am in Christ and I know you want to dwell there too. Our feelings from past failure or former insecurity can be powerful and they can shout so loudly:
- “You aren’t really loved, you are just tolerated.”
- “You will only be accepted by God if your behavior is acceptable to Him.”
- “You aren’t whole, you need to do more, be more, and have more to be complete.”
And, those feelings can yank us right out of the present truth of our identity in Christ and straight into an identity crisis. Those feelings and lies may be powerful, but, they are not as powerful as God’s truth!
Read this: How to use your painful past to encourage others
So let me give you three key truths — powerful statements backed up by powerful Scripture — you can tell yourself over and over to help you dwell in the present truth of who you are.
Truth #1: I am dearly loved.
Colossians 3:12 says, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.”
You are dearly loved. This is the reality you dwell in… the reality you need to tell yourself.
You are not loved because you’ve earned it, you’re loved because God is love. God won’t love you more if you’re better behaved and He won’t love you less if you blow it! His love for you is based on who He is, not what you do.
Receive the present truth that you are loved… dwell in that truth. Let it wash over you, fill you with comfort, and give you a secure identity.
Truth #2: I am accepted.
God backs up this truth in His Word: “…to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved” (Ephesians 1:6 NKJV).
You are accepted not only “in” the beloved, but “by” the Beloved, God Himself!
That is the reality in which you dwell. Amazing, isn’t it? You have value. You have worth. You are visible to Him! When you accepted Christ, He accepted you.
You may sometimes feel rejected, but how you feel is not who you are! You are accepted, acceptable — no exception!
Truth #3: I am complete.
Colossians 2:10 says, “…and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power” (NKJV).
When you said “I do” to Christ, you became complete in Him. He gives you Himself completely. You are “complete” when you are found in Him. When you have Christ, you have no need for anything more.
Now, we can still sometimes feel unfulfilled, but, discontentment is a feeling, not a reality you dwell in!
When you became a Christian — you were instantly — poof! — made spiritually whole. You were made full with the fullness of Him. When Jesus died on the cross, His final words were, “It is finished.” And when He said it, He meant it! It is finished… completed.
You are loved. You are accepted. You are complete.
That is the present truth that you dwell in today — a loved, accepted, and complete woman of God. So, dwell well!
Now read this: When it feels like God has forgotten about you
This post originally appeared on JenniferRothschild.com and was republished with permission.
Jennifer Rothschild has written 14 books, including the bestseller Lessons I Learned in the Dark and Me, Myself, and Lies. She’s been featured on Good Morning America and Dr. Phil and is the founder of Fresh Grounded Faith events. Jennifer became blind at age 15 and now helps others live beyond limits.
