You Are More Than a LabelSample

Lose the Label: Forgotten

Losing half of my body weight has been a lifelong battle. It’s been a process of embracing my flaws, imperfections, and making changes … most importantly in my mind. I had to unlearn many bad habits of comparisons. Although it’s still a temptation, it’s easier to say “no” to those influences. Grace can also help you adjust to use positive “no’s” and keep you from going wayward.

Lately though, I found myself wearing the comparison label again. Most women I know, myself included, are looking for three things in life: love, appreciation, and validation. We look to our careers to bring significance, our marriages to fulfill our hopes, and ourselves to make our dreams come true.

We forget about relying on the grace of God. So one day, prompted by God, I cut out the manufacturer’s labels on my clothes hanging in my closet. The experience itself was anti-climactic. I posted a cute little post on Instagram and quickly put the cut labels on a shelf only to forget about them. About a month later, I decided to put them in an urn-shaped basket so I wouldn’t be reminded of the time I wasted cutting them out. (I failed to see the purpose in doing it.) 

I made a makeshift funnel with a paper plate and carefully poured them into the basket. All of a sudden, I looked down and saw one label had landed upside down on the floor. I knelt down and as I picked it up, tears came immediately. The label read: “Forgotten Grace.” Wow! Immediately, I prayed in humble submission. That’s when God spoke, I want you to look to only Me for your identity not a manufacturer’s label. This illustration still speaks powerfully in my life today, and I share it to show the power of worldly labels. 

Gain God’s truth: Don’t get stuck or hide in your clothing size. Mindset changes take practice, and understanding grace is a process. We must remember grace to remember to move toward God instead of comparing ourselves to the world. You, too, can gain confidence by putting aside the comparisons and labels of this world. Even though it takes a lifetime to achieve godliness, contentment, faith, and good habits, it’s a testament to God’s grace to teach us our true identity that’s worth wearing—Christ.