What is the key to mental health and well-being for the Christian?
Seeing ourselves as God sees us!
Dr.Neil Anderson once wrote, “No one can consistently behave in a way that is inconsistent with how he sees himself.”
Why is this the case? When we act contrary to our self-perception, it creates internal conflict.
It’s uncomfortable, and we will revert back to behaviors we identify with in order to restore that comfort.
When we enter into Jesus’ family by faith in Him, we are given a whole new identity as His children, as saints.
However, up to that point, our self-perception has formed solely on the feedback of key people in our lives — parents, friends, teachers, spouses.
We internalize the words and actions of others and draw conclusions about ourselves.
Here’s the problem: God never intended for us to use the feedback of people to form our self-perception.
From the very beginning, God intended to be the only One who defined us.
Adam and Eve boogered this all up. Thanks to them, we are born separated from the only One who can supply us with real Life.
So, we have to try to fill the void somehow, and we start out looking to mom and dad.
Between our family and our culture, we are inundated with feedback that we internalize, and thus our self-perception is formed.
When we come to faith in Jesus, our self-perception doesn’t automatically change to align with God’s truth.
In fact, many churches fail to teach anything about our new identity in Christ.
Instead, they preach “Here’s your Bible verse, just try harder to do the right thing!”
Beloved, how you see yourself will dictate your actions.
If you see yourself as a messed up person, you will continue to mess up.
If you see yourself as a saint, a child of God, as righteous and holy in Christ, as His beloved, you will start making choices that reflect His new Life in you.
You will unhook from unhealthy relationships, as you realize that it only matters what God thinks about you!
What others think about you is no longer relevant.
Say “goodbye” to people-pleasing, and “hello” to enjoying God’s unending pleasure with you!
Blessings!
Robyn