Who you say I AM!
Over the years I’ve been in a constant battle in my mind, whether it’s been anxiety, depression, self-doubt or self-loathing.
If you ask my wife she’ll tell you I very rarely if ever, say anything positive about myself and once again I find myself doubting that I can do this. When I was asked to do a blog I just thought ‘yeah I can write a few things and come up with something’ but the more I thought on it the more my head was telling me how silly I was, how can I put a blog together when I didn’t get any GCSE’s and can’t construct proper sentences or paragraphs.
It’s so easy to get caught up in what we think of ourselves and how easy it is to put ourselves down when tested a little but what does God say we are? I could easily sit here and tell you everything bad about me, every mistake I’ve made, every bad word I’ve said or every judgement I’ve made about someone or something, but luckily the bible isn’t about how bad of a person I was or have been, in fact it’s filled with promises from God, stories of forgiveness and grace, redemption and victory. Around nine years ago I gave my life Christ and even to this day I find it incredible that at times when I hate myself that the God we serve loves me so much that He sent His only son to die for us. (John 3:16)
Matthew 18:12-13 NLT
“If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away, what will he do? Won’t he leave the 99 on the hills and go out to search for the one that was lost? And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he will rejoice over it more than over the ninety-nine that didn’t wander away”
Often when I don’t feel I belong I read this scripture, knowing that God personally searched for me to be saved, to show me the forgiveness I needed, the love I craved and finally a place I felt I belonged. For years I had the enemy whisper to me labels that after a period of time I started to believe such as: weak, broken, anxious, alone and hopeless. So what does God say about these things?
I say I am weak, but God says he makes me strong
“God arms me with strength, and he makes my way perfect” (Psalm 18:32)
I say I am broken but God says I am healed
“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5)
I say I am alone but God says He is always with me
“..Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)
I say I am anxious but God says with Him I am peace filled
“peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27)
I say I am hopeless, but God says because of Him, I am hopeful
“for I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
These are just a few things God says about us, there is a mountain of others including: forever loved, forgiven, adopted and victorious to name but a few. Luckily for us there is a certain book where you can find any answer or scripture to any doubt or life issue, so I encourage you to dive straight in regardless of your current situation. If anyone who reads this feels any of these kinds of ways, just know you’re not alone and can talk to God, read your bible and talk to a friend and get them to pray with you.
I am so excited to be on this new journey and new season as part of One Church Lancs and I cannot wait to see how God is going to use us in the coming weeks/months. I pray for peace and love to fill our hearts, that we can be a beacon of light and hope that comes with knowing Jesus in the community of Ossy.
It’s all about the ONE
ONE God
ONE person
ONE family
(Disclaimer: this is my first ever blog post, I struggle to write a birthday card, so thanks for reading and I hope you have a wonderful day)
by Andrew Davies Dec 7th 2022
