Here are two game-changing truths that can help you live a much more balanced, managed life.
- Who do I listen to more than anyone else? Myself.
- Who looks at me more than anyone else? Me.
This isn’t something to be corrected, really. It’s just part of our human operating system.
You are telling yourself things all day. Even before you get out of bed, you’re telling yourself what kind of day it’s going to be, things you have to do, wishing you hadn’t stayed out so late last night. Then you get up and look at yourself in the mirror.
Be very careful about what you hear when you are talking to yourself. Be very careful what you see when you are looking at yourself. These aren’t reality. They are distortions.
Here is reality. Undistorted, universal truth. “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).
Your distorted false self was nailed to the cross, while your delivered true self became affixed to Jesus Christ, laid in the tomb with him, and rose from the dead with him.
The new and improved version of you is alive and well. Your identity is not the distorted self you listen to or see in the mirror. Your identity is the self who God says you are.
Remember this: You are the best version of you when you believe that what God says about you is true.
Look at Galatians 2:20 and spend time meditating on its meaning. Focus on these two phrases: 1) “I have been” and 2) “I now live.” Take 15 minutes, get away from all distractions, and focus your thoughts on the song “Who You Say I Am” by Hillsong https://youtu.be/lKw6uqtGFfo
PRAYER: Jesus, I’m not the real me without you. Save me from myself, from my distorted listening and looking that lie to me. You have imprinted my identity to the historical, real events of your own saving crucifixion and life-giving resurrection. Help me today be more of who you say I am. Amen.
BIGGER PRAYER: Jesus, I’m not the real me without you. Save me from myself, from my distorted listening and looking that lie to me. You have imprinted my identity to the historical, real events of your crucifixion and resurrection. In my baptism you have sealed my “rebirth” certificate so that nobody can steal my identity. I just need to realize this more frequently and consistently. Let’s start with this today, Jesus. When I start listening to myself, I’m going to ask if it’s my distorted, sinful self talking or my real, righteous self. When I look at myself and evaluate myself, I’m going to ask if I’m looking at my distorted, sinful self or my real, resurrected self. And today, life will be different. I am who you say I am. Amen.