Identity in Christ Archives

For Those Times When I Look in the Mirror and Don’t Like What I See

March 5, 2019 by Kristi 4 Comments

Don’t like what you see when you look in the mirror?

Do you need something tangible to combat those times when you look in the mirror and don’t like what you see?

“Visuals” like me will understand. When we look in the mirror, we see limp hair that never looks good, eyes too large, a crooked nose, ringlets of skin under that chin, thighs a titch too wide for the liking–or SOMETHING not right with our reflection.

Call it crazy, but we don’t like the woman staring back at us.

Sure, we can have our preferences, but what happens when nearly every time we look in the mirror, we find something wrong versus all that beams right?

I used to be the queen of that nest. Man, and what a nasty, dirty nest it was. I didn’t like myself. Critical, belittling thoughts zipped across my brain every.single.time I looked in the mirror.

Talk about self-denigrating.

The odd part is that I never even realized I had a problem until the Holy Spirit uncovered a heart issue. Oh, beautiful, wisdom-filling Holy Spirit–I love you!

Heart Issue

Yep. Call it a heart issue. Not liking ourselves often originates due to a heart issue.

But the Holy Spirit stands faithful. His wisdom coats the scene, revealing and healing, then leading us in freer pastures.

And girl, when He opens wide eyes to see, we notice things we NEVER EVER EVER realized were clinking around in that heart of ours.

I sure did.

And there’s a good chance you’ll be SUPER GLAD the Holy Spirit brings revelation, too. In fact, you might wonder why you waited so long to find this healing and freedom!

I’m working on a talk centered on this very topic. A few ladies here in Oklahoma as well as a few in Nebraska will hear it this month. My hope is that the Holy Spirit will reveal heart issues and that these ladies will find healing. Will you pray for their preparation? And will you pray for me as well, that my words will be led by the Holy Spirit and delivered with the power and annointing of His?

Fighting Words

But that doesn’t answer what tangible something or other we can use for those “I don’t like myself” glances in the mirror. If you don’t like yourself–something you see that ranks as insufficient whether it’s looks, talents, past circumstances/decisions, or more–then grab two things.

Grab Prayer
Grab Truth

Prayer is a powerful tool–even when we don’t see its impact. Keep praying. When we ask God to show us our heart, He does. He indicates whether we love or don’t love what we see in the mirror–and He shows just how far-reaching those words roam. (Trust me–experience speaking here.)

The Bible–truth–remains sharper than any two-edged sword. It cuts through to the intent of our heart. It leads us in paths of righteousness.

And rest assured, being hard on ourselves, belittling that beatuiful woman in the mirror, or sabatoging her by slathering critical words all over her reflection isn’t right by God. It’s a battle, friend. Remember, we don’t war against flesh and blood… (Eph. 6:12).

But God Almighty stands as victor…and as Christians, so are we. So go ahead, transfer that trust from self to God. Refuse the negative comments and watch how the Lion of Judah roars in righteousness.

Memory Verse

This week’s memory verse is spot-on for combating this battle. Grab your sword, girls! It’s a powerful one full of truth. So go ahead, grab PS 139:14 and use it well. Behind it stands the strength of the Lord Almighty.

flowers with PS 139:14 written in black lettering

So for those times when we look in the mirror and don’t like what we see, we are truly…

Fearfully Made
Wonderfully Made

And past Bible verses assure us we are also…

Most 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month, we’re here, basking in a new memory verse–ones assuring our TRUE IDENTITY!

Join us by subscribing to KristiWoods.net. Don’t miss a single verse!

Tuck This One In Your Heart

February 19, 2019 by Kristi 9 Comments

Go ahead–tuck this verse in your heart. Keep it near, assuring every ounce of “you” of God’s interweaving.

Sometimes, as a strong-willed gal, I make plans to go here and there and look to the future. But sometimes I get so busy that I forget God.

I run ahead, failing to remember where I came from.

Tuck This One In Your Heart

My boys weight-lift. They’re big on maxing out. (Lifting as much as they safely can–taking it to the max.) Consider this memory verse ours for maxing out. So go ahead. Tuck this one in your heart.

Our Creator is our everything–our all in all. We are His–the work of His hand. You and I stand as evidence of His creativity. We’re not junk. We’re wonderfully and fearfully made.

This week, as we set this verse to memory, remember where you came from. Remember God.

Recall that you are the beautiful handiwork of the Alpha and the Omega. Seek Him for guidance. Refuse to run ahead. Be diligent to remember.

And have a beautiful week.

Do You Ever Feel Unwanted? Hope Threaded Here

February 12, 2019 by Kristi 4 Comments

Do you ever feel unwanted?

What about that friend who always makes plans–but never includes you? Let’s talk about that spouse who walked out the door–forever. Or, maybe the child who never comes around or calls leaves us in tears or dismay.

Feeling unwanted hurts.

It sooths about as much as stepping on a sandbur (or regular, old field burs) with our bare feet. Ouch!

I’ve faced times when I’ve felt this way, especially in those formative younger and teen years. Think teenage dating scene.

And you know what?

Those situations, ones that seemed benign or deemed as a typical part of the growing up years (just “get over it”, but I didn’t) helped seed lies I believed for YEARS.

Years. Decades. Oy.

We wrestle not with flesh and blood….

…but against darkness and spiritual wickedness. (Eph. 6:12)

It’s not people we battle. Darkness wages war. We stand in the crosshairs–anything to keep focus and glory from Christ.

Isn’t it crazy how we believe or handle life and reactions to events based on a misplaced notion?

(Find more helpful posts for overcoming pesky wayward emotions here.)

But in Christ, we find hope for feeling unwanted. In Him, WE ARE WANTED.

Recently, I wrote a guest piece for Alisa at Flourishing Today. Alisa and I befriended each other in a COMPEL Training Critique Group a few years ago. Both of us harbor hearts for helping folks grow in their faith.

Come on over to Flourishing Today and grow. We’re threading the hope of Jesus Christ into your story and ours.

Click here to join us.

See you there!