This is a very powerful concept if you really grasp it: you are NOT a label! If in the past, someone has diagnosed you with some kind of illness, please understand this does NOT define who you are. The only thing that should define us is that we are Children of God! As His children, you and I are still learning to be who we will be forevermore…but in the meantime, we are NOT our diseases. We can experience things, but those experiences do NOT define us.
I had suffered with depression for all my life until I became born again, and God gave me this powerful Truth. I used to say things like, “I AM depressed,” or “I HAVE depression,” but those are defining statements. Please remember, words have power! If you tell yourself you ARE something, then that thing will have power over your thoughts, emotions and even your body. Pay attention to the words you tell yourself because they can be the difference between experiencing awful illnesses or experiencing peace and joy in the midst of challenging circumstances.
After surrendering my life to Jesus, He told me, “Child, you may be experiencing depression, but that is not WHO you are!” This was all I needed to separate myself from this debilitating illness. Once I realized that it was not mine, that it did not define me, I was able to recognize it when it tried to overtake me. I said instead, “I am experiencing depression,” and then quickly turned to God for the help I needed to move away from those thoughts and emotions that could drag me back down into that darkness. I went from being depressed for months at a time before I knew Christ, to weeks, then days…and now it can be as little as an hour before I come to my senses and remember, “Hey, that’s not WHO I am, and with Your help Lord, I choose NOT to experience it anymore!” This is yet another vital reason why it is so critical that we know WHO we are in Christ. Praise God, we are a new creation. The old HAS gone, and the new HAS come! (2Co 5:17)
In Christ, we can choose to change our experiences, including the way we deal with any illness. But we must LET God transform us so the we do not allow any illness to define, and then control, our lives. This may take time, it may require medications, all this is ok. The important part is to continue to work with God, and allow Him to continue to transform us. Not allowing labels to control you is part of this transformation. Don’t you ever give up on Him, because God never gives up on us!
<>< Peace, Diane
