Nurture Your Faith with the Daniel Fast

We all have those times when we feel low. I’ve been there. I know how you feel. Sometimes we look around and conclude we are so inadequate. Poorly prepared. Not up for the challenges before us. It’s not a very good feeling. And frankly, unless we get a grip on those feelings, they can lead to a downward spiral taking us to a dark place!

If you can relate to these feelings, then keep reading. Because there is a sure remedy, and the benefits far exceed feeling happy or content. Actually, you can fully experience the joy, peace and rest that you long for in the innermost part of your soul.

What’s the remedy? The mirror! But not the mirror you may be imagining right now. Instead, there is a mirror that reflects back to you your real self – your greatness. Your unique treasure of gifts. Your awesome value.

What is this mirror? It’s God’s Word! And in it you will find a true reflection of who you are in Christ. Paul put it this way, “For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.” 1 Corinthians 13:12

In “Susan’s Translation” Paul is saying, “I now see myself according to who I am in Christ, but I don’t see the full picture. But when I am face to face with the Lord I will see my true identity – and even though I can’t see it all now, it truly is who I am.”

Our True Identity

So often, we take our identity from the world. We compare ourselves with other people. We take on the labels from parents, siblings, playmates, teachers, spouses and co-workers. We absorb the opinions of people – many of whom we may not even respect. We look at the perfectly coiffed movie stars or the chiseled muscles of athletes . . . and know there is a huge gap between their picture and our self-image. We even compare ourselves with fictional characters in movies and television shows! How will we ever measure up?

Here is the truth. That is the wrong mirror! If you are finding your identity from the world and from people, you are looking in the wrong place! And your reflection will never be the truth. Not only can you end up feeling bad about yourself. But you can also move into an unhealthy dependency for finding your worth and value from the opinions of other people (all you People Pleasers, wave and say, “That’s me!”).

Here is the truth of who you are:

For You formed my inward parts;
You covered me in my mother’s womb.
I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.
My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.
And in Your book they all were written,
The days fashioned for me,
When as yet there were none of them. Psalm 139:13-16

For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in [Christ]. 2 Corinthians 5:21

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. John 3:16

In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 1 John 4:19

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9

For you are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth. Deuteronomy 7:6

Reflect on Who You Are in Christ

When God created you, He used His perfection, His mastery, His artistry. Yes, because of Adam all humankind was stained with imperfection. But Jesus changed all that for you and me and for anyone who believes: “For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.” Romans 5:19

You are highly valued. You are God’s precious child. You are greatly esteemed and needed.

You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16

The Choice is Yours

We have a choice to make. Which mirror will we use when we seek a reflection of who are? Will we rely on the distorted reflection coming from the world and from people? Or will we look into the perfect mirror of God’s Word and embrace our true identity?

The best answer is easy to see.