I give my husband lots of credit for lovingly supporting me throughout the 39 years of marriage and the five years we were on again and off again before that.
I am not anything like I was when we first met and it has taken time to not only find my true self and but to embrace the unique strengths and abilities God has given me.
I sometimes feel like the journey of finding my true self has been much like that of a caterpillar who within the chrysalis the old body parts undergo a remarkable transformation, called "metamorphosis" to become the beautiful parts that make up the butterfly that will emerge.
Finding our true self is a process of transformation to become the unique person God we were all created to be. The fear of what people think of us and the desire to seek their approval may cause us to alter our personality in an effort to be whatever we think they want us to be.
Just like a chameleon changes color in order to blend into their surroundings, we sometimes develop false identities, hoping to be accepted, and protecting us from possible rejection. Pretending to be someone we are not, is just a form of hiding who we truly are.
When you do things that are not genuine to your true self, it means that you are allowing others to define you or make decisions for you that you should make for yourself. Over time you will end up feeling frustrated, unhappy and unfulfilled.
Romans 12:2 (MSG) reminds us that His Word will change us from the inside out. He promises to“bring the best out of us.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (TPT) says that His Word will “empower you by its instruction and correction, giving you the strength to take the right direction and lead you deeper into the path of godliness. Then you will be God’s servant, fully mature and perfectly prepared to fulfill any assignment God gives you.”
The world pressures you to fit into a certain image they approve of. You might find yourself faced with compromising your values so you won’t fit outside the mold. You might settle for a relationship that appears acceptable on the outside, but feels all wrong on the inside.
To be true to yourself takes courage and it requires not being afraid to be who you are. Are youcomfortable being you? How much do you compare yourself with others and perhaps try to become someone you are not? Asking these questions may be the beginning of finding your true self and becoming the you that God created you to be!
Galatians 5:26 (MSG) says each of us is an original. So we have far more interesting things to do with our lives than “compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse. Each of us is an original.”
TIPS ON FINDING YOUR TRUE SELF
Ask God to reveal your unique abilities.Become planted and rooted in HimTake time to recognize and develop your gifts.Follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.Be true to who God created you to be.For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.—Ephesians 2:10 NLT
