True Identity
...didn’t you realize that your body is a sacred place, the home of the Holy Spirit? Don’t you see that you can’t live however you please, squandering what God paid such a high price for? The physical part of you is not some piece of property belonging to the spiritual part of you. God owns the whole works. So let people see God in and through your body.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (MSG)
We confess our sins to God to acknowledge that the person we are is not who we want to continue to be. We ask Jesus to be the Lord and Savior in our life, fully surrendering ourselves to Him and His will. When we repent, it's a change our mind that takes us in a different direction so our past can no longer dictate our future. Who we were before is not as important as who He made us to be - like Jesus!
Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. Colossians 3:10 (NLT)
God doesn't just show love, God IS love. Before we knew Him, He loved us. He drew us to want to know Him through His love. He wants us to see what He sees. When we look in the mirror we don't see our true image, we see a distorted image due to the layers of personal trauma, guilt, condemnation, shame, pride, self-righteousness, family drama, etc. When God looks at us, He sees what He made, why He made it, and the purpose it will fulfill in this world. Removing those layers is a huge step in revealing the real you, your true identity. Only God can help you do that because His Word is what gives us the true perspective we need to see it. We should be people who are experiencing things, not experiences that have made us a certain type of people. When we know the truth about who we are, the experiences we have been through take on a different meaning. They no longer define who we are, they are only what we used to do.
He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. 1 John 4:8
The Kingdom process to uncover our identity isn't a secret and it isn't hidden, but it isn't always easy to accept. It requires letting go of things that no longer support us. We all have roadblocks in our lives, and it takes the wisdom of God to help us see them for what they really are. The only way to navigate this process successfully is to become like a child and trust God's process. Little children trust their parents implicitly, without reservations, even though they do not know what their future holds. Jesus wants us to come to Him like that.
Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Matthew 18:3-4 (NLT)
It may be hard to let some of those things go and bringing them up may be painful. Some may be toxic situations we are comfortable in, but if we're honest with ourselves, deep down inside we don't really want to be in them anymore. These things take time and patience, don't let the fear of process and change discourage you. It is your path to freedom.
Once you start cleaning house, a beautiful, peaceful, creative space will emerge and God will show you amazing Kingdom things to fill it with. Don't think you have to be perfect, God is not looking for that, He is looking for surrender and obedience to His love. Even in the midst of making huge mistakes, David knew where His strength came from. He knew God was the only one that could help him.
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Psalm 51:10
Start the process today, what have you got to loose except stuff you don't need anyway?!
"Father, I come to you like a little child, trusting that you know what is best for me. This process may be hard and it may take me some time to work through, but I know that releasing these things from my heart will free up space for you to fill. I know you know the deep hurts that are there, but they are nothing compared to the hurt you endured for me when you gave your life that I might be free. Create in me a clean heart Lord, renew a right spirit within me. One that trusts you and will follow your word from now on. Give me the wisdom and strength to let go of the things that are blocking me from seeing who you made me to be.
Release my heart and mind from the chains these hurts have bound me with and let me be free to love everyone because you first loved me. Thank you for your forgiveness, I am forever grateful for your finished work to set me free. Help me to extend the same forgiveness and love to everyone, including those who have hurt me. I trust that you will bring beauty from all of those ashes of hurt. I love you and want to walk in your freedom. In Jesus' name, Amen!"
Pray this with me