Focus On Who You Are in Jesus: Abuse And Rejection In The Christian Church Part Six

There are five keys that help you heal from abuse and rejection. Last week we discussed the first two. (Click here to read last week’s blog https://www.drmichele.org/healing-focusing-gods-character-identity-intentions-abuse-rejection-church-part-five/ )

1. Focus on God’s character and identity
2. Focus on God’s intentions

Those keys are all about focusing on who God is. This next key is about who you are.

3. Focus on who you are in Jesus.

When you’re rejected, it is easy to allow your self-image to become distorted. When you look in the mirror what do you see? Do you see your external image, what others say about you, or do you see your failures? None of these are accurate displays of who we are in Christ. Our true identity is in the value and opinion of our infinite worth and potential that God says is in each of us. So, who does God say we are?

• His are His family.

“For you are all SONS OF GOD through faith in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:26 NKJV (Emphasis added)

•  We are His heirs.

 “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then HEIRS- heirs of God and joint HEIRS with Christ…” Romans 8:16-17 NKJV (Emphasis Added)

•  We are His inheritance.

 “For the Lord will not reject his people; he will never forsake HIS INHERITANCE.” Psalms 94:14 NIV (Emphasis added)

•  We are His servants.

“The Lord redeems the soul of His SERVANTS, and none of those who trust in Him shall be condemned.” Psalm 34:22 NKJV (Emphasis added)

• We are the righteousness of God.

“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD.” 2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV (Emphasis added)

•  We are His friends.

“Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the FRIEND OF GOD” James 2:23 NKJV (Emphasis added)

Those are just some of the many truths God says about us. We must focus beyond our flaws, sins, and failures to see who we truly are in God. Then we must develop it so it can be displayed to the world. God looks at our hearts. When we focus on our heart, our motives, our effort and our intentions, our behaviors improve. We cannot focus on meeting certain standards to feel good about ourselves. Measuring up to a manmade standard will never bring lasting satisfaction in our self-image. Regardless of our shortcomings, let us stand firmly in our God identity and not allow our focus to be turned. There is a healthy and godly way to look inward and identify issues to grow and change. We want humility so we can self-reflect for growth. We need to focus on who we are in Him, and remember the purpose and plans He has for us. Sometimes it feels difficult or even impossible to see ourselves the way God does, but remember we can do it with His strength.

 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 NKJV

Dr. Michele

Copyright © 2014 by Dr. Michele Fleming, Ph.D.