Have you ever worried about people finding out the truth about you?
Maybe there’s a part of you that you worry about revealing to others – a sin that you continue to struggle with, an experience or mistake from the past, an aspect of your personality that you tend to keep hidden for fear of being judged or misunderstood.
I have certainly been there. It can be easier sometimes to present an image of who we would like to be or who we feel others want us to be, instead of living authentically as who we really are.
But while we may fear the truth, Jesus said that the truth would set us free (John 8:32) and the good news is that while it is true that we all have faults and we have all made mistakes, there is a truer truth.
I may not know all the specifics of your past and your experiences, but if you are a follower of Jesus I do know the truth about you:
You are fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:13-18)
No matter how you feel and no matter what others may have said about you, you are not an accident or a mistake. You were intentionally and deliberately created. You are seen and you are known.
You are loved. (Ephesians 1:4, Romans 5:8, Romans 8:38-39)
God accepts you as you are and he delights in you. His love is a perfect, unfailing, never-ending love. It is not something you have to earn, but something freely given – a gift of grace. When you feel unloved or unnoticed by others, know that you are deeply loved by him.
You are God’s child. (Ephesians 1:5, Romans 8:15-16)
You are adopted into his family. He chose you! It was not something done out of duty or obligation, but out of love and joy. You never need to fear that you don’t belong, because in him you are secure forever.
You are God’s masterpiece. (Ephesians 2:10, Philippians 1:6)
You are worthy of his time and care and attention. He is creating something beautiful. You are still a work in progress, and it won’t always be easy but he is absolutely committed to the process and he will see it through to completion.
You have a purpose and a significant part to play. (Ephesians 2:10, 1 Corinthians 12:12-27)
God has prepared good works for you to do. He has gifted you with unique qualities and talents so that you can serve him and others. You are not meant to be like anyone else. His part for you is designed just for you and even though it may seem insignificant at times, your impact can be greater than you know.
You are forgiven. (Ephesians 1:7, Colossians 2:13-14, 1 John 1:9)
Jesus paid the price of your sin when he died on the cross. There is no sin too big for him to deal with. His light is greater than any darkness, and when we confess our sins, he freely forgives.
You are holy and without fault in God’s eyes. (Colossians 1:22, Ephesians 1:4)
Not only are you forgiven, but when Jesus took your sin, he gave you his righteousness. You can stand before God pure and holy because of Jesus.
You are not alone. (Matthew 28:20, Hebrews 13:5-6)
Whatever you face, he is with you. You will never be abandoned or forsaken. Sometimes you may feel alone, but he is still with you. He is there to carry you through.
You have hope, even in the midst of trials and difficulties. (James 1:2-4, Romans 8:28, 2 Corinthians 4:17)
We can’t deny the truth that life is tough at times. Jesus was honest about that: “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows,” (John 16:33 NLT) but in the very same verse he encourages us: “Take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
Even in the midst of suffering there is hope: that God is there, that he is still sovereign, that he can work for good even in painful situations, and that ultimately he has overcome. He has defeated sin and death and evil and one day we will see the fullness of that victory.
You have a wonderful future. (1 Peter 1:6, 2 Corinthians 4:18, Revelation 21:3-4)
When you’re struggling in the middle of the story, don’t forget that we know how it ends. Eternity with God free from pain and suffering and death is the destiny of those who are in Christ. Whatever trials you face now, no matter how difficult and enduring, will pale into insignificance compared with the glory that awaits you.
Maybe the truth is not so scary after all, and maybe if we could hold to it and trust in it, and let it sink deep into our hearts, it really would lead us to freedom!
Here are a couple of songs that help remind me of the truth:
What about you? How does the truth of who you are in Christ encourage you? What helps you to hold to the truth?
As an Enneagram 3 (unhealthily concerned with image issues), this post hits very close to home, so thank you for shoring it up with Truth about who I am in the eyes of God–that’s what really matters.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, what God thinks of us is what really matters but it’s so easy to let our worries about what others are thinking distract us from that.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I felt faith and hope rising as I read through this, Lesley! Especially the last one: You have a future! Yes, this speaks loudly to me as I process the fact that I finished a 16-year “chapter 1” of my life when I left Turkey last year! 🙂 That Lauren Daigle song is one of my favorites.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Betsy! I’m glad it encouraged you. It will be exciting to see what God has in store for you next!
LikeLike
Oh, that we could always keep these truths at the forefront of our minds! How differently we’d live! In reading through this power-packed post, I was struck most by how these passages should affect the way I view others. Yes, these things are true of me, but they’re also true of the people in my world who are more challenging to love. May I see others through this lens instead of my own tainted vision.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, it would make a huge difference not only to how we look at ourselves but to how we look at others if we remembered these truths.
LikeLike
I think we all have parts of our lives that we are reluctant to share with the world (or is that just me?) The title of your blog (speaking truth, sharing hope) perfectly describes this post. Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Definitely not just you! I think almost everyone can relate to that. But the truth of who we are in Christ really does give us hope!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much, Lesley! I love these hope-filled reminders of God’s Truth. The songs, too, lighten my drooping spirit. Lauren Daigle’s songs always resonate deeply in my heart. Whenever painful memories are triggered, I tend to lean towards the lies of not being enough. Your post brings me to tears as God reminds me of who I am in HIM! Love and blessings of trusting in the truth of who we are in Jesus!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Trudy! I’m glad it encouraged you. Praying that you will know the truth of how God sees you, especially in the moments when those lies threaten to take hold. Love and hugs to you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lesley, after sharing my 42 year old secret today – it was encouraging to come over and read these truths! You do such a good job offering Truth and Hope.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Susan! I’m glad it encouraged you. It is so easy to get caught into basing how we see ourselves on our actions or what others think rather than what God says about us. Holding to the truth is so important. And well done on sharing your secret – I’m sure God will bless you for your courage and use it to help others.
LikeLike
Yes and amen! Lord Jesus, set us free from all that would hold us back from being all You’ve created us to be.
Lesley, thank you for these uplifting words based on Scriptures that never lose their power.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Linda! Yes, the truth of how God sees us has amazing power!
LikeLike
Yes to all these truths! I don’t think I can get enough reminders of who God says I am!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s so easy to drift away from these truths – I think we need to be constantly reminded!
LikeLike
What an encouraging post, Lesley! Knowing these truths will make us free! That verse is forefront in my mind right now, so your post is especially uplifting. Thanks and have a great day!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Kelly! I’m glad it encouraged you. Hope you have a great day too!
LikeLike
Lesley, this is beautiful! We each have to learn how to tune out how the world defines us, and become attuned to God’s voice—His words—that define us. You bring out so many beautiful truths in this post. When we can find our identity in being God’s “Kid” the world’s stars and gray circles stop sticking to us and we can walk in the freedom of being completely His. It’s such a journey to get there though, isn’t it?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Jeanne! Yes, I think it’s a lifelong journey to truly accept who God says we are rather than listening to what others say and worrying about what they think of us. There is such freedom in even beginning to grasp how God sees us!
LikeLiked by 1 person
“I may not know all the specifics of your past and your experiences, but if you are a follower of Jesus I do know the truth about you” — this is so uplifting, Lesley.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Meg! I’m glad you found it encouraging!
LikeLike
Am in the middle of one of those very difficult life situations at the moment, when God is definitely present!
Blessings,
Jennifer
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad you are knowing God with you, Jennifer. Praying for you and Steve.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Lesley, ♥
LikeLiked by 1 person
Encouraging. Healing. Nurturing. Hope restoring. Faith building. Thank you, Lesley. Visiting from FMF.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Esther!
LikeLike
This blessed me today, Lesley! Thank you! The speaker at a women’s conference I recently attended explained justication as “just as if I never sinned” AND, because like you said Jesus has given us His righteousness, “Just as if I always obeyed.” Praise the Lord!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Bethany! I’ve heard that description of justification before but not the one of righteousness. That’s helpful!
LikeLike