Living Fearless

1. True identity comes from God, not from our circumstances or others

God will only call you a name he would call himself.

Our identity is God-given. From the moment we're conceived, God imbues us with a unique identity and purpose. This identity isn't based on our achievements, failures, or others' opinions of us. It's rooted in who God says we are.

False identities lead to dysfunction. When we allow fear, guilt, or shame to define us, we operate from a false self. This leads to destructive behaviors and unfulfilled potential. Examples include:

• Addiction
• Unhealthy relationships
• Underachievement
• Chronic anxiety or depression

Discovering our true identity is transformative. When we embrace who God says we are, we become fearless, purposeful, and effective. This process involves:

• Rejecting false labels from others
• Listening to God's voice
• Aligning our actions with our true identity

2. Confession and truth-telling are essential for transformation

Confession is telling God the truth about what you really believe about him, yourself, and others.

Honesty breaks bondage. When we're truthful about our fears, doubts, and struggles, we open the door for God to work in our lives. This isn't about feeling guilty, but about acknowledging reality.

Truth-telling leads to freedom. The process of transformation involves:

1. Admitting our current beliefs and feelings
2. Asking God for His perspective
3. Aligning our thoughts with His truth

Confession in community is powerful. Sharing our struggles with trusted friends:

• Breaks isolation
• Provides accountability
• Allows for mutual encouragement and growth

3. Forgiveness and releasing anger unlock our ability to hear God

If you do not live within God's forgiveness, most likely the Lord will want to speak to this issue first in your life.

Unforgiveness blocks communication with God. When we hold onto bitterness or refuse to forgive, we create a barrier between ourselves and God. This hinders our ability to hear His voice clearly.

Forgiveness is a choice, not a feeling. It involves:

• Releasing the right to punish or hold a grudge
• Asking God to bless the person who hurt us
• Choosing to see the offender through God's eyes

Anger resolution is crucial. Unresolved anger:

• Clouds our judgment
• Leads to hasty, destructive decisions
• Prevents us from operating in our true identity

4. God speaks to us continually; we must learn to listen

God never stops communicating with us—never.

God's voice is often subtle. He speaks through:

• Scripture
• Impressions or "gut feelings"
• Circumstances
• Other people
• Nature and beauty

Cultivating listening skills is essential. We can improve our ability to hear God by:

• Creating quiet spaces in our day
• Journaling our thoughts and impressions
• Asking specific questions and expecting answers
• Confirming what we hear with Scripture and wise counsel

Obedience enhances hearing. The more we act on what we hear from God, the clearer His voice becomes. This creates a positive feedback loop of listening and obeying.

5. Our emotions serve as a guide to uncovering false beliefs

Emotions come from God. Satan can't create emotion. He's not a creator.

Emotions are not the enemy. They serve as:

• Warning systems
• Indicators of our beliefs
• Invitations to deeper understanding

Negative emotions point to false beliefs. When we experience fear, anger, or shame, it's often because:

• We believe a lie about ourselves
• We've misinterpreted a situation
• We're operating from a false identity

Processing emotions leads to growth. Steps to handle difficult emotions:

1. Acknowledge the feeling without judgment
2. Ask God what He wants you to know about the emotion
3. Identify any false beliefs underlying the feeling
4. Replace false beliefs with God's truth

6. Living in our true identity makes us fearless and unstoppable

The gates of hell cannot prevail against the true you.

True identity empowers boldness. When we know who we are in God:

• We're not easily intimidated
• We can face challenges with confidence
• We operate from a place of strength, not fear

Our true self aligns with God's purposes. Living in our God-given identity:

• Unleashes creativity and innovation
• Allows us to impact others positively
• Brings fulfillment and joy

Fearlessness comes from experience. As we step out in faith and see God's faithfulness:

• Our courage grows
• We become willing to take bigger risks
• We inspire others to live boldly

7. Small, daily choices shape our identity and destiny

David, the man after God's own heart, experienced success when he first "inquired of the LORD."

Consistency trumps intensity. Our character and destiny are shaped by:

• Daily habits
• Small decisions
• Regular conversations with God

Inquiring of God should be routine. Before making decisions, we should ask:

1. Should I go?
2. Will I win?
3. How should I go?

Identity is reinforced through action. As we consistently act in alignment with our true self:

• Our confidence grows
• Our impact increases
• Our identity becomes more firmly established

8. Asking God for wisdom leads to innovative solutions

There are ways to do things about which we've never thought.

God's wisdom surpasses human understanding. When we seek His perspective:

• We discover new approaches to old problems
• We receive insight beyond our experience or education
• We can impact seemingly impossible situations

Innovative thinking requires faith. To access God's creative solutions:

• We must be willing to challenge status quo thinking
• We need to believe that God can do the impossible
• We should expect unconventional answers

Practical steps for seeking God's wisdom:

1. Clearly define the problem or challenge
2. Ask God for His perspective
3. Write down any impressions or ideas
4. Test and implement the solutions you receive

9. Our past doesn't define us; it can propel us forward

The past doesn't chain you up and condemn you anymore. It moves you forward.

Reframing our past is powerful. Instead of viewing difficult experiences as limiting factors:

• We can see them as preparation for our purpose
• We can identify how God was present, even in pain
• We can use our struggles to help others

God redeems our mistakes. When we bring our failures to God:

• He can turn them into valuable lessons
• He can use them to develop compassion in us
• He can create testimonies that inspire others

Moving forward requires letting go. To fully embrace our true identity:

• We must release shame about our past
• We need to forgive ourselves and others
• We should focus on who God says we are now

Last updated: November 15, 2024