A new self

Ponder (think) upon the following questions - What comes to mind when you think about yourself? Do you maybe feel unworthy, hopeless, lonely, downtrodden, rejected, ashamed, forgotten, sorrowful, or depressed? OR do you feel elated, joyful, happy, confident and in full charge of your emotions and yourself?

Do you see yourself as a whole and complete person who lacks nothing except a longing for a deeper walk with the Lord? Or do you desire a deeper and closer walk with Jesus despite your feelings of unworthiness or self-pity? Do you sincerely desire to have more self-confidence in Jesus with the knowledge that you are much loved?

When we commit our lives to Jesus, He forgives us and cleanses us from all unrighteousness. He makes us new. The old things have passed away and we are new like a butterfly that comes out of a cocoon. Christ sets us free from the slavery of sin.

But how do we treat this "new self?" We need to "put on" this "new self" daily! Col. 3:10 says - "Put on your new nature and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like Him."

Eph. 4:22 - 24 confirms this - "You are to have put off, concerning the former way of life, the old man, which is being corrupted according to its desires of deceit, to be renewed in the spirit of your minds; and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."

How we regard ourselves and our self-image, is the basis on how we look at everything else. Our self-image filters our thoughts and determines whether we will react with courage and confidence, or with timidity, nervousness, shyness, or anxiety. We need to guard our hearts which feed our self-image.

Proverbs 4:23-27 states; "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil"

This teaches us that a man's heart is the center of the issues of life; consequently, how we view ourselves is of profound importance in recognizing and answering the issues of our lives. Therefore verse 24 states we need to GIVE CAREFUL THOUGHT TO IT! Our minds, thoughts and actions need to be focused on Christ all the time.

Some people are verbally, emotionally, or even physically abused, so many of us quickly conclude that we are unlovable. Nevertheless, despite everything negative we experience, we are of infinite value. Our worth is not based on what we do! We are of infinite value because of the infinite price the God of the universe willingly paid for us, and He will treasure and cherish us now and for all eternity.

The Lord alone has the skill to transform us into an exquisite jewel. It matters not what we can [or cannot] do or how others view us. All that matters is the staggering power of God to transform us into something of breathtaking beauty which others might think is worthless. Please realize that you are far more precious to Father God than all the diamonds in the world, and He paid a far higher price than all the wealth of a million earths - the willing sacrificial death of His holy Son!

Yet we need to keep working on being transformed and renewed for the rest of our lives, putting on the new self every moment of every day. "Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is -His good, pleasing, and perfect will." [Rom. 12:2]

Thank You so very much precious Jesus, that I belong to You! Thank You that You took my old self and gave me a fresh, renewed, forgiven, new and righteous self. Please help me to keep my eyes, my life, my thoughts, and actions securely fixed on You, so that the "new self" radiates Your Light, Your Love and Your redemption. In Your precious Name I pray, Amen.

Myrtle Grimm-Turunen