2 Corinthians 10:7-8

7 Look at what is before your eyes. If anyone is confident that he is Christ’s, let him remind himself that just as he is Christ’s, so also are we. 8 For even if I boast a little too much of our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying you, I will not be ashamed. 

Satan lies.

It’s that simple. For those like me who grew up in a dysfunctional household devoid of Christ, full of unreasonable demands, fed by the horribly destructive lie that our feelings, emotions, desires, curiosities and questions in life had no value; the results can be devastating.

The scars of abuse run much deeper than skin and bones,  they tell us that we are no good, we have no worth. I’m learning that as a young child trying to resolve why the very person who loved me, provided for me, was supposed to be a protector of me would lash out in rage with a belt at seemingly the smallest infractions. It was in those precious years that I was taught, I have no worth.

My whole life before Christ was spent trying to earn the trust, respect, acceptance and love that I never got from him. I sought it out through my career, materialism and relationships. When those didn’t fulfill I tried to escape them through addictions and lustful behaviors, and when that all failed, I was left depressed and suicidal.

If I can be good enough, they will be happy and love me. And if they aren’t happy and don’t love me then I must not be good enough.

Today, after being on a deeply personal relationship with Christ for 2.5 years I am still finding that the biggest struggle I still face on a profoundly deep and unbeknownst level to me, is the lie that I’m no good.

Even in Christ I battle with self worth. My inner insecurities continue to tell me my words are useless, my influence at work, home and on the streets is of no consequence. My opinions don’t matter, my writings are self-seeking; hungering only for self-value in the externals of life.

As a Christian recovering from a lifetime of poor decisions, I must battle through the lies to hear the Truth’s of God’s love for me. We are new creations, set free by the blood of the lamb.

We are not defined by our past or potential, but in our present we are given the opportunity to live like Christ.

It is only in Him that we make a difference in the now and that is only because of Him who covers the past and gives promise in the future.

We can live boldly and confidently today,because of what Jesus is doing in our life.

We do not do great things for others to become free, but because Christ has already set us free, we can do great things.  

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ 

We can have confidence that as a Christ follower we not only have the calling, but the authority to proclaim boldly of His love for the world, not because our love is anything amazing but because He is. We can proclaim His ability to heal and protect, not that we have the power to do either, but because He can and will for those who seek out His face.

2 Corinthians 10:17-18  “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” 18 For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.

Lord God, I thank You for the voice that tells me I have value and worth because of You. Because You, in Your indescribable, unmovable, unending grace and mercy chose to take a broken sinner like me and write your words of hope, salvation, promise, and peace on my heart. Help me to grow in confidence that my past is gone and my future is set because of you alone, and in that give me the confidence to continue to speak boldly to those in my circle of influence this day the plan You have for us all, which is unity in Your name to love our neighbors and speak of the promise of eternity. Thank you Lord God for your mercies and provisions that go far beyond anything anyone can fully acknowledge and by Your authority may we feel confident to speak in love what you place on our heart today and not cower to the lies of the accuser who seeks only to shield our eyes to your greatness and our value that comes from being Your follower.