By Chuck Davis – Columbia, Maryland
Believing we are who God says we are does not always come quickly or easily. The journey takes commitment over time, but God’s love is unconditional.
I want to share with you some major challenges I had growing up and into adulthood to encourage anyone who has experienced similar challenges to know that God can and will help you overcome them once and for all.
My biggest challenge was with low self-esteem. I grew up with dysfunctional parents. At age five, I was told by my mother that I was a mistake!
When a mom tells you this, you believe it. I had a lack of self-confidence and was always feeling bad about myself with a constant “inner voice” telling me that I was dumb, nobody likes me, you’re worthless and similar other negative messages.
These thoughts and feelings left me with an overall feeling of unworthiness. I felt that I didn’t deserve to have good things come my way.
Change Your Mindset
When I was 39, I realized I needed to change my thinking. I had the opportunity to spend a year at college in Emporia, Kansas, surrounding myself in God’s Word.
With that immersion into the Bible, my thinking changed entirely from what my parents thought of me to what God thinks of me. This started me on a journey of realigning my thinking to who God says I am.
As a son of God, I learned God sees me as a new person. All things of my former life have passed away.
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV
Additionally, the Word of God told me that in order to bring this truth into manifestation, I needed to change my mind away from the past and begin to see myself as God does, a new man.
“That you put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” Ephesians 4:22-23 KJV
I realized that to do this I needed to make some changes. I started by examining my thinking and my self-talk.
Were my thoughts filled with God’s image of me or old destructive self-images? I began diligently studying and memorizing verses about who I am in Christ and God’s unconditional love for me.
A New Mantra
Romans 8:38-39—I once said I am unlovable, but God says we can’t be separated from the love of God.
Isaiah 53:5—I once said I am emotionally scarred, but God says I am healed.
2 Timothy 1:7—I have said I am afraid, but God says I am powerful, loved and have a sound mind.
John 3:16—I once felt unworthy, but God says Jesus died because I am worth it and have everlasting life.
As I endeavored to absorb into my mind the truth of God’s Word, my life changed forever. As I spiritually grew, my self-talk gradually changed to reflect what God says about me.
From Mental to Physical
Next, I took a good look at my physical self. I had allowed myself to get considerably overweight. Did the image I saw in the mirror reflect my new man?
I challenged myself to get physically fit and started walking every day. To date, I have lost over 60 pounds and have kept the weight off.
It required a commitment, but I became energized because each day I felt like I was beginning to look like the new me I felt inside.
My real identity is in Christ and not what the world says. Once I lined up my thinking to who God says I am, my low self-esteem completely changed to one of confidence and worthiness.
I then met and married my wife, Nancy, almost 38 years ago, and we have three wonderful children and four grandchildren. I have been and continue to be a very blessed man.
Believing we are who God says we are does not always come quickly or easily. But, God will be there to support and strengthen us every step of the way.
Don’t allow the world to tell you that you are anything less than who God says you are. You are worthy, and God has good things heading your way.
While Chuck was in the US Air Force, he served as an Advisor to the Japanese Air Force in Hokkaido, Japan. He is now retired and living with his wife, Nancy, who serves as CFFM clergy.
The wonderful love and support that Nancy and their three children Jim, Alison, and Scott have provided Chuck over the years has been the catalyst for him to make the big changes needed in his life.