Take Back Your Life: Thinking Right So You Can Live RightSample

Look in the Mirror

Looks can be deceiving. We can look at something but not see what’s there. And that means we cannot trust what we see with the naked eye. Paul, in 2 Corinthians 4:18, says you can’t trust your physical vision. You can’t trust what you see and the decisions you make based on it. You need more.

There is a whole spiritual realm around us where all-out war is going on for our hearts, lives, and souls. When you look through the lens of faith, you can see what’s coming against you and you can see what’s working for you. Eternity becomes visible and you can see that God has a plan. You may not be happy with your story right now, but with faith as your lens, you can reach out and take back your life from whatever is sucking it away behind the scenes. 

As we open our eyes to the war we’re in, let’s start with a look in the mirror—the battle taking place inside us. Yes, there are outside components to this: the devil and the world. But we have enough to deal with inside us that makes us more than capable of becoming our own worst enemy. We need to pray with Paul that we will be strengthened in our inner being with the power of the Holy Spirit (see Ephesians 3:16). The Holy Spirit will walk with us as we battle to take back ground from the Enemy.

The Bible says that when we become Christians, our identity shifts and we are placed under the umbrella of grace and are covered by Christ. God sees you as loved, chosen, called and equipped. Every day, even on your worst day, God’s love and view of you doesn’t change. This new way of looking at yourself means acknowledging yourself as made in the image of God (see Genesis 1:27). God made you. You’re no accident. You bear His image, He gave you an immortal soul, and you have such value that He would sacrifice His Son to redeem you. 

As a child of God, you have power through the Holy Spirit to rise up and do all God wants you to do. Think about what you choose to say to the person you see in the mirror? If you’re going to take back your life, you’re going to need to alter how you feel through changing the way you speak. Taking back your life isn’t one size fits all; it’s a custom job for a tailor-made, one-of-a-kind masterpiece, because that’s who you are and what your life is. You need to figure out what it takes for you to suit up so you can be your best when you show up.

Victory comes when we get real with what's going on inside our heads and start living our true identity. It takes vulnerability to be ourselves and to be who God made us to be. It takes risk to be vulnerable. It takes bravery, but that’s the only way to victory and freedom. The Holy Spirit gives you the courage you need to stand against any fear that keeps you from taking your life back. He gives you “power, love and self-discipline” (2 Timothy 1:7). He gives you resurrection power; He gives you life!

Respond

When you look at your life through the lens of faith, what do you see God doing? How does faith in God help you persevere when life is difficult?

How does becoming a child of God, change how you see yourself and your purpose in life? What will help you see yourself as God sees you? 

Where do you need the courage the Holy Spirit provides to be vulnerable and deal with the enemy in your head?