Has God ever given you a vision or dream for your life? A thing so incredible and outlandish you couldn’t have possibly imagined it yourself? But almost as soon as God’s voice fades out, doubt and disbelief creep in.

“I don’t have the right educational background,” “I come from a broken family,” or “my past sins automatically disqualify me” echo loudly in our minds. There are a million and one reasons why we aren’t perfect, and yet we are made new in Christ. Despite our past or even present, Jesus provides us the freedom to believe every single good thing He says about us.

God created man and woman in His likeness during creation. He said His creation of us was not just good, but very good. A few synonyms for the word ‘very’: exceedingly, exceptionally, extraordinarily, remarkably. Right in the beginning of His word, He calls you and me exceedingly good, exceptionally good, extraordinarily good, and remarkably good.

God is trustworthy and absolutely not mistaken when he reminds us of who we are in Him through scripture.

When destructive thoughts about who you are in Christ begin to sneak into your mind, remember:

“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9, New Living Translation)

We may never fully understand why God has called us to certain people or things, but that’s also the beauty of our faith-walk. God has it all worked out so we don’t have to be the mastermind, the pressure to be perfect is off.

It is important to believe and be obedient to God’s word.

“But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.” (James 1:22-25, NLT)

Reading and studying the Bible is the foundation of our walk with Jesus. More importantly, we must believe wholeheartedly in the truth that shines from its pages. Walking out our calling requires obedience, obedience requires faith, faith requires truly believing we are set free and are a new creation because of the sacrifice Jesus made for us. Choosing to not believe who we are in Christ questions the validity of who Jesus Christ is. It’s absolutely okay to struggle with believing in your new identity in Jesus. He’s always available to listen to your frustrations, doubts, and questions. His grace, mercy, and forgiveness are fresh every morning. He loves us enough to constantly remind us of our worth and value in Him.

If you find yourself reverting to old ways of thought, look into a mirror and repeat God’s truths to yourself…

I am righteous and holy (Ephesians 4:24)
I have God’s peace, which guards my heart and mind (Phil 4:7)
God is my provider and supplies all of my needs (Phil 4:19)
Jesus gives me the strength to do all things (Phil 4:13)
Jesus called me out of darkness so I can show others the goodness of God (1 Peter 2:9)
Overwhelming victory is mine because of Christ (Romans 8:37)

You are called and equipped with Truth to accomplish everything God has shown and promised you!

New Living Translation (NLT). Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Believing in Who God Says You Are