Becoming Who God Says You Are

When meeting someone new, how do you introduce yourself? What words come to your mind? Would it be details about your:

• work
• family ties
• hobbies
• religious beliefs
• volunteer work
• political perspectives

How about our children? How would they introduce themselves? Might they share information based on their interests with:

• sports 
• musical instruments 
• dance/acro
• interests
• organizations
• friendships
• grades

Without realizing it, sometimes these passions and connections can become places that we evaluate our worth as a person. 

None of these things are bad in and of themselves. However, if we begin to see ourselves as valuable based on our success in these areas, we might find ourselves feeling discouraged. Without realizing it, our worth is only as much as our latest achievement or social connection. None of these categories in and of themselves will complete this God-sized hole in our lives that only He can fill. 

If we aren’t careful, sometimes we believe these “if…then…” lies:

• If I earn top grades, then I will be smart.
• If I score __ points, then I will be a valuable member of the team.
• If I can get  ___ friend to want to spend time with me, then I won’t feel as lonely.

These If…Then… scenarios will only continue to grow in scope if we don’t realize the slippery slope they put us on. 

For the last decade, I began each year praying over the “one word” that the Lord wants me to embrace for the year. These word shaped what I said “yes” to and the ways I intentionally grew.   

This year, as our oldest turned 13, the Lord showed me a new way to think of this strategy. Instead of thinking solely about how I want to grow (look for that topic in an other blog post), this time, the Lord encouraged me to help my children to embrace who He says they are. I created this reflection brainstorming sheet to help my kids and I carve out time to reflect on the remarkable and wonderful ways that God designed them to be. I would love for you to try this out with your children, too! 

So how do we realize who God says we already are? Here are some ways that I have found helpful:

1. Share authentically with those we love. Take the time to brainstorm together as Moms and Children:

• Strengths
• Passions
• Spiritual Gifts

2. Rewire our thinking (journaling 10 minutes a day) spending time to believe who God Says We Are:

• Chosen
  • 1 Peter 2:9 ESV “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”
• Wonderfully and remarkably made
  • Psalm 139:14 HCSB “I will praise You, because I have been remarkably and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful, and I know [this] very well.”
• Created for good works (not to do “all the things”)
  • Ephesians 2:10 NIV “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

3. Take one character trait of who God says we are and turn this into a prayer asking the Lord to rewire our current thinking to match His perspective:
   • Romans 12:2 a NIV “Be not conformed to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of our minds.” 
   • Lord, please transform our thinking to see ourselves the way you created us to be. Not by anything we could earn, but solely because of who You lovingly, remarkably created us to be. Our uniqueness is not accidental. Renew our minds so that we trust You have brought us out of darkness and into Your light. In Jesus’ name, Amen.                                    
4. Think about the sources in our lives that cause us to doubt ourselves or discourage us.

• What boundary might we put into place to quiet those voices in our minds?

5. Create a playlist of songs to remind us of who God says we are.
   1. “Never” by Tasha Layton
   2. “You Say” by Lauren Daigle 
   3. “Who You Say I Am” by Hillsong Worship

6. Keep an open conversation with your child about who/what is discouraging him or her.

7. One Word Resolution: What part of “who God says I am” do I easily forget? Make this word a focus for the year to keep coming back to and embrace who God says you are more than any other voice. 

Friend, which one of these strategies do you want to try with the kids in your life? What else might you add that we could try, too? Let’s make this a year that we believe who God says we already are. May we grow stronger, deeper bonds with our children through this exploration.

P.S. Mama, in case no one has told you lately, you are God’s beloved daughter, remarkably and wonderfully made for the unique journey He created you for. Let us not lose sight that Moms are who God created us to be, too.