{"id":196,"date":"2023-08-14T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-08-14T10:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ellagrace.blog\/?p=196"},"modified":"2023-07-22T15:08:19","modified_gmt":"2023-07-22T19:08:19","slug":"unleashing-the-power-of-faith-and-freedom-embracing-your-true-identity-in-christ-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ellagrace.blog\/index.php\/2023\/08\/14\/unleashing-the-power-of-faith-and-freedom-embracing-your-true-identity-in-christ-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Unleashing the Power of Faith and Freedom: Embracing Your True Identity in Christ"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Want FREE downloadable smartphone wallpapers to remind you of your real identity in Christ every time you look at your phone? You’ll find some at the “Download” button at the bottom of the page!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.<\/p>\nPsalm 139:14<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Pain of Comparison <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In today\u2019s world of social media, AI, and filters, it\u2019s easy to be overwhelmed. Almost unknowingly, we quickly sign up to run in the rat race of constantly trying to measure up to the images we see.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Especially for those of us that already struggle with self-doubt and a negative self-image.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Having constant images and reminders of impossible standards of beauty, value, and greatness that we can never achieve can be especially detrimental to our mental health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even if you stay off social media, or maybe you aren\u2019t the type to compare yourself to a digital image and persona, there\u2019s always someone in your physical life who will be prettier than you, skinnier than you, more talented, more adventurous, smarter, kinder, or is just overall more life-giving and attention-catching in their presence than you.<\/p>\n\n\n

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So what do we do then?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We can\u2019t hide away from all the potential comparison points we may individually deal with on a regular basis. And fighting against a constant feeling of \u201cnever being enough\u201d is a plague that is seemingly incurable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But as believers, we\u2019re not called to follow the crowd or conform to the world\u2019s standards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019re called to a higher purpose, to a life of faith and freedom in Christ. And yet, so many of us struggle to fully embrace our true identity in Him, to live out the abundant life He promised us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exit the Trap of Comparison, Enter Being Enough in God<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Thankfully, we can exit the trap of comparison and quit trying to find our value in what the world deems important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The truth is, we have been given everything we need to live victoriously in this life. We don\u2019t have to be enough in our own efforts and striving, because it\u2019s God who makes us enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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He\u2019s the one who has given us value, simply for being His children who\u2019ve accepted His righteous Son. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019re enough<\/em> because God chose us, because He created us in His image, and because He\u2019s already set out individual purposes and plans for each one of us that we are specially created to fulfill (Ephesians 2:10; Psalm 139:16).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That alone should bring rest to our minds and quiet the voices in our heads telling us that we need to try harder, be better, and hustle until we\u2019re burnt out in order to be the best at everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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We have been given the power of the Holy Spirit, the authority of Christ, and the freedom that comes from knowing Him intimately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We don\u2019t have to live in fear, doubt, or insecurity any longer. We can step into our true identity as sons and daughters of the Most High, fully equipped to face any challenge that comes our way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We can rest in the comfort of knowing we are exactly how we should be in Christ and that everything God makes is good<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While there may be points of our personalities that need changing, it\u2019s God that works those changes out in our life through the power of the Holy Spirit transforming us little by little.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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As we abide in the Word of God, we know that our minds are being renewed. Right thoughts will lead to right actions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the truth sets us free, we can grow in the knowledge that we don\u2019t need to compare ourselves with others or how others seem to be succeeding in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Surrender from Self-Striving<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s choose daily to surrender our self-striving and choose to align our thinking with God\u2019s truth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Start today in believing God and what He says about you more than you believe what others say about you, the lies the devil tells you about your worth, and definitely more than what you believe about yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We take every thought captive and hold it up to the Word to know whether it\u2019s true and valuable (2 Corinthians 10:5).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each thought you have about yourself and your value should be considered against the light of God\u2019s Word and if it doesn\u2019t match up, then you\u2019re believing a lie that\u2019s bringing misery into your life and it needs to be replaced with Truth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Unleashing the Power of Faith and Freedom<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

So how do we unleash the power of faith and freedom in our lives?<\/p>\n\n\n\n