Life IS...ናሙና

Life IS... Knowing Who You Are

In 2009, my great-nephew, CJ, was diagnosed with Autism shortly after his grandmother's passing, my sister.  His entire little world immediately changed.  He went from being a friendly little boy to being reserved and withdrawn.  

As he grew older and started attending school, life became very challenging for him.  While most kids tend to cry a little when placed in a new environment or because their parents leave them, CJ would have usually long crying spells.  Sometimes he would cry himself to sleep. The changes that had occurred within his normal environment made adjusting quite difficult for him.  

While I was home visiting family in Tennessee, CJ and his mom came to see me.  Although I lived in Atlanta, he and I had developed a special bond over the years.  We talked about the challenges he was having in school, and I told him always to remember who he is.  Remember that he is brave, bold, and courageous. Although CJ was diagnosed with Autism, it does not define who he is. 

We must be careful not to allow the worldly descriptions to define who we are.

When you know who you are - and whose you are - you can truly step into your purpose. Your God-given identity helps guide you and gives you the confidence not to be persuaded by other people's labels or opinions about you. God says we are "fearfully and wonderfully made." (Psalm 139:13-14). If you're struggling to believe that you were made by a good God who considers you "wonderful" today, I believe God is telling you - at this moment - to speak that over yourself. 

You are valuable.

God loves you unconditionally.

He made you with purpose.

He knows everything about you and still sent His Son to pay your sinful debt so that He can have an intimate relationship with Him. 

You are freely given His approval, and He wants you to be confident that He made wonderfully!

When you speak Truth to yourself and believe it, you can walk in confidence no matter what others think of you.

Whenever CJ feels challenged, or his classmates make fun of him, he says to himself, "be bold, be brave, and be courageous." Today, he is doing very well in school, runs track, and wants to be a doctor.

Always know who you are, know your value and never allow others to define or attach a label to you.  Attach your own label to yourself and say, "approved by me!"

Reflection:

Do you know who you are?

How has knowing who you are made a difference in your life?

How has not knowing who you have impacted your life?

Who does God say that you are?

Prayer: 

Father, I choose to think differently about myself.  I will no longer allow someone else's negative words or options to dictate or define who I am. In Jesus' name, Amen.