7/8/10

We Are Family!

How do you define family? Some listings I saw included "shared values, ancestry and lineage." This to me would also describe the body of Christ.

What does family mean to you?

For me, I think about words. The words of a family member can hurt even more than words from a stranger or friend.

Whoever said sticks and stones will break your bones but words will never hurt you.....they need to be taken out and beaten with sticks and stones!

Proverbs 18:21 says the tongue has the power of life and death.

If you have ever been on the receiving end of a withering verbal attack or had someone make unkind and cutting remarks...then you'll know that it can feel miserable. You can feel less than human. Like a failure. Worthless.

Family has a way of doing that as well. Yes, even the family of God. The church has a nasty habit of taking it's wounded members out and shooting them!

Many, when they constantly receive a barrage of negativity, they began to embrace the hurtful things people say as part of their identity.

Gal. 2:20 says our identity is in Christ. Eph. 2:10 says we are His workmanship.

If you have been hurt by the words of others know that God loves you and He cares. Your identity is in Him not in the negative comments of others.

Which identity are you embracing?

2 comments:

Unknown said...

Believing people’s description of us over the Father’s view is a dangerous place to be. I know when I settle in to God's vision of who I am, the journey is richer and I walk in freedom.

Thanks for sharing your heart!

Rick Apperson said...

Thanks again JC. I preached this one at church last week.