It’s Not Me, It’s Me

If you ask me, we put waaaay to much stock in our personality, in our genes and DNA.

Granted, we are born with predispositions, with likes and desires. With talents and giftings.

I’m not denying we are uniquely and wonderfully made.

But when we completely lock ourselves down by confessing, “This is just who I am,” we deny the saving, redeeming, transforming power of the Christ.

There is NO reason for a believer to say, “I have no joy. I’m just not one of those people.”

Or, “I can’t change. This is just me.”

Even, “I just don’t think this part of me (fill in the blank) will ever be healed.”

Really?

Because the Bible says “The joy of the Lord is my strength.”

That all things are made NEW in the light of His Glory.

So you’re allowing you personality to keep you from God’s abundant, transcending joy? From His saving, changing grace?

Psalm 16 declares, “In His presence is fullness of joy!”

If you are a follower of Christ and have the Holy Spirit, you are IN His presence. Always.

You must have JOY! You must have peace. You must tap into the Divine access we have through Jesus to the power of God.

I admit, I struggle to keep this concept before me.

Life gets in the way, and yes, certain mind sets, maybe even physiological things, but the truth remains.

We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. 

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness and self control.

Paul writes, “Against such things there is NO law.”

Wow, so there is no law or force or authority that can hinder the Believer from enjoying this fruit.

Well, except one.

Ourselves.

And yes, the powers and principalities in heavenly places fighting to keep us down. Check it out in Ephesians 6:12.

Our battle is against rulers, against powers, against world forces of this darkness and wickedness in heavenly places.

YowZA!

If you had to grade yourself on spiritual warfare, how would you do?

I know I forget to wage war, to fight the good fight.

I just think “Life is getting me down.”

Or something is going on with my body. Which, hey, can happen.

But how much are we just submitting to the “puke” of our known enemy? The devil.

Peter assures us our adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.

Let it not be me! Or you!

Maybe it’s NOT “just your personality” but the enemy, preying on your personality, your wounds, lies and fears.

Be transformed toward a new mind, a new heart and all JOY! by renewing your mind. Rom 12:1-2.

Yeah, it’s a lot of hard work to renew our minds.

It is emotionally draining to take thoughts captive, to AGREE with what God’s Word says over our emotions, over our experiences, even over what “others” are saying. Like doctors, psychologist and the health industry.

I’ve waged this war.

I continue to wage this war because I only have THIS life in which to pursue Jesus with wholehearted abandon despite my darkness, my weakness, my fears and doubts.

This is the only time in all of eternity I can follow Him in faith, choosing His Word and TRUTH over my own weak mind and heart.

I overwhelm His heart with love and devotion when I say to Him, “I feel like CRAP but I’m choosing YOU and YOUR joy anyway.”

Beloved, JOY will come. LOVE will follow!

So let’s not lock ourselves down. “This is just me. My DNA.”

Let’s not be caught gazing at ourselves but gazing at Him.

If we become what we behold, let’s behold Him.

Struggling to overcome some aspect of your life? Stop gazing at YOU!

Gaze on the redemptive power and love of Him! Choose HIS DNA given to us by and at the Cross.

Choose to be transformed by renewing your mind.