Shattering Toxic Beliefs And Discovering The Real Youنموونە

Jerusha Clark: Shattering Toxic Beliefs and Discovering the Real You Devotional Day 1

The God Who Is

Scripture: Exodus 3:11-14

Throughout Scripture, God refers to himself more often by the name I AM than any other name. In doing so, God defines himself without reference to any thing, person, or trait. He IS, and that is enough. 

Women find themselves in a far different situation. When we introduce ourselves, we typically describe ourselves in terms of our relationships (the wife, mother, daughter, sister, or friend of someone else) or in terms of our accomplishments (our title, position, education, or accolades). When our identity is wrapped up in these external things, however, we inevitably—and exhaustingly!—strive to prove ourselves worthy of love, attention, or affirmation. 

God never meant for us to focus on whether we are “enough,” whether we measure up. He made us—every piece of us—to be just as he IS.

When Jesus came to earth, the unchangeable, eternal, all-powerful God opened himself to us. Now through Christ, we can know the Great I AM personally. I discovered this while exploring seven powerful statements made by Jesus that begin with the same phrase: “I am.” With kindness and wisdom, Jesus identifies himself with things we can understand—earthly things such as bread, light, plants, and doors.

Christ’s seven “I am” statements, recorded in John’s Gospel, give us a glimpse into God’s character and promises. Through them, we see that Christ grants a way when we find ourselves lost, fullness when emptiness threatens, light when the darkness closes in. And he does not hand these things out as if they are quantities that can be depleted. By no means! Jesus is the Way, the Light, the Life we crave. God designed every piece of you specifically and lovingly for his glory. He is—right now, in the present tense—everything: not just everything you need, but really, truly everything. 

Jesus invites us to fix our identity on God alone, freeing us from fear, bitterness, busyness, and other toxins that steal our joy and limit our influence for the kingdom. It’s radical, earth shattering—and breathtakingly beautiful. 

When have you felt “not enough” recently? How would you look at that situation differently through the perspective of knowing that God is enough?