Identity

It’s My Body

Is there something in your life that you haven’t told anyone? Maybe you’ve been embarrassed or scared of what others might think, so you keep it to yourself.

Growing up, I convinced myself that my body was mine. I could do whatever I wanted with it, which was true.

It is.

I can.

I did.

Hormones and boys were not a good mix.

Justifying my actions became a skill. I never saw past my current season of life, let alone think about future consequences.

Fast forward to meeting Jesus in my late 20’s. I’m sitting in church, listening to a sermon on purity. All I could think was “FAIL.” The culmination of past decisions was starting to affect my self-image, along with my relationships. “I am what I’ve done,” guilt and shame would successfully convince me.

“I am what I’ve done”

Why would I want anything to do with this community if this was how I was going to feel?

Thankfully, I wasn’t left to sit in this pit of condemnation. God already knew everything I had done, and yet, he still loved me.

My old foes guilt and shame still try coordinating sneak attacks, but these days they are slain with the truth: Jesus died a horrible death so I can be free.

Jesus died a terrible death so I can be free

Free from labels

Free from lies

Free from condemnation

I still care what others think about me. Anxiety and fear still present themselves when I share my testimony. It’s all still there, but now I choose to embrace how God’s see’s me. His love for me outweighs all fear.

What’s that “something” in your life you’d like to be free from?