Your New Identity
For so long, we wore the identity branded from the pain inflicted upon us.
Victim
Wounded
Damaged
We walked around with our heads held low, stuck in years of ongoing suffering, clinging to the pain brought upon us.
We threw lavish pity parties with us as the sad guest of honor as we felt comforted by the mutters of sympathy:
"Oh, you poor thing."
"Oh, that's just awful."
"How could they do that to you? They are so terrible."
"I'm so sorry that happened to you."
We would climb up to our library, dust off our book of grudges, and read aloud from its worn pages as we retold our stories for the 100th time about the wrong done to us.
It was all about poor, poor us.
Enough already,
We forgave them, and because of this, God broke the connection between villain and victim.
They are free, and so are we.
That is not who we are anymore.
You may be wondering who exactly we are going to be now that we have set the captors free.
I'll tell you who we are.
In addition to being utterly and overwhelming loved by God, we are
Survivors
Overcomers
Liberators
It may take a while to get used to this new identity. Our old patterns may make us want to retell those stories, but you will see that the words won't come as easily.
It's really difficult to talk bad about someone you have forgiven and to be the victim of an offense you have pardoned.
It is time to move on, my friend.
We can tell a new story filled with redemption, mercy, grace love and forgivenss and take the spotlight away from us and aim it right on God who set us free.
I promise you this: you will find that your new God-given identity will give you enough compassion within that you won't need all that external attention and validation.
This new identity of liberation is really going to open up the space in here; wait and see.
I feel lighter already, don't you?
Psalm 71:20
Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up.
James 1:12
Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.
Isaiah 1:18
"Come now, let us settle the matter," says the Lord . "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.”