This week I was sharing with the LW youth about Identity.\u00a0 Because we are in this series on Sundays, we wanted to run that series in youth group as well.\u00a0 As I was preparing my message along with a visual for the youth to do, I was reminded by Holy Spirit about my teenage years and how my identity was formed so often by my experiences and things people said, more than what my Heavenly Father was speaking over my life.\u00a0 Can any of you relate?\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Growing up in a Christian home, you would think I would have known a lot more about what God says and live that out, but that wasn\u2019t the case.\u00a0 It wasn\u2019t that I wasn\u2019t being taught about God\u2019s truth, I just didn\u2019t know the difference between lies and truth when it came to my identity.\u00a0 Also, it is much easier to believe the lie that to stand in the truth at times.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I shared with the youth about an experience I had when I was in the 5th or 6th grade that shaped what I thought about my identity for many years after.\u00a0 I was on a softball team in my little hometown, playing with girls I grew up with.\u00a0 I was picked to play on a team that had won the championship game every year for 6 years prior.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t get picked because I was good, it was just how things got sorted out.\u00a0 We played all season and I worked really hard at my batting and catching, but to be honest, both were still not really good.\u00a0 We came to the final game, the championship game, the one game that our team had worked all season to get and all the pressure ended up on my shoulders.\u00a0 We were down by one, bases loaded, two outs, and I was up to bat.\u00a0 I remember asking my coach if someone else could go in for me, but she said no and told me I could do it.\u00a0 What was she thinking?\u00a0 Strike one.\u00a0 Strike two.\u00a0 Foul ball.\u00a0 And then it happened.\u00a0 Strike 3.\u00a0 We lost the game at that moment and I was devastated.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After the game, some of the older girls were not very happy with me and told me I should find another sport.\u00a0 They were probably right \u2013 but maybe they didn\u2019t need to say that.\u00a0 How does this come around to identity?\u00a0 Growing up, moments like these were the ones when the enemy could get in there and start to plant lies.\u00a0 Because of the way I was feeling, those lies started to sound true and I started to align with them, like any other normal person would do.\u00a0 You aren\u2019t good enough.\u00a0 You are not accepted.\u00a0 You are not liked.\u00a0 The list kept going.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How many of us, no matter what age we are, are still living under some of those lies that started many years ago?\u00a0 What happens is those lies become the filter of how we see ourselves, how we see others, how we respond to situations, and how we will or will not move forward into areas of our life.\u00a0 The feeling of not being good enough or not accepted always kept me from really entering into relationships with others.\u00a0 It was especially hard with other girls because it was the girls on my team that hurt me the most with their words.\u00a0 Those lies and beliefs I had about myself and my identity went with me into my 20\u2019s and 30\u2019s, holding me back from so many opportunities and probably a lot of very good relationships.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When it comes to our identity, the only one that truly has the power to speak that over us is our Heavenly Father, who created each one of us in His own image.\u00a0 He is the one that we need to be turning to and to ask, \u201cWhat do you say about me?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In order to really know what our identity is, the first step we need to take is to ask ourselves, what lies am I believing and aligning with.\u00a0 When we had the youth do this the other night, they went for it.\u00a0 It was amazing!\u00a0 They spent some time being honest and real with their hearts.\u00a0 This is something I think all of us could benefit from.\u00a0 After they wrote down the lie, they began to ask the Lord two questions, \u201cWhat is the opposite of this lie?\u201d and \u201cWhat do you say about me?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My hope and prayer is that we can follow in the youth\u2019s footsteps and do the same thing.\u00a0 So many of us are living under the weight of these lies that began more years ago than we ever want to count.\u00a0 You may not even know it is a lie because it has been true to you for so long.\u00a0 As we spend time with the Lord and ask Him to reveal to us any lies that we believe about our identity, He will show us.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
During this identity series, I pray that our hearts will be awakened to the voice of the Lord and that only He would be the one speaking identity over us.\u00a0 I pray that we would be so aware of lies that are trying to grip our hearts and minds and instead of partnering with them, we would turn to the Lord for His truth in that moment.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is not too late to walk in freedom and truth, we just have some steps to take! I\u2019m in, are you?!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I shared with the youth about an experience I had when I was in the 5th or 6th grade that shaped what I thought about my identity for many years after.\u00a0 I was on a softball team in my little hometown, playing with girls I grew up with.\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":546,"featured_media":60702,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"wds_primary_category":60,"footnotes":""},"categories":[87],"tags":[189,95,190,191],"class_list":["post-60701","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-encouragement","tag-breaking-lies","tag-identity","tag-lw-youth","tag-softball",""],"blockli_fields":{"post_type":"","post_action":"","post_type_icon":"","background_image":""},"bb_bookmark":{"bookmark_id":0,"is_bookmarked":false,"bookmark_date":0},"app_bookmark":{"bookmark_id":0,"is_bookmarked":false,"bookmark_date":0},"comments_count":"0","content_native":[{"type":"core\/paragraph","render":"
This week I was sharing with the LW youth about Identity. Because we are in this series on Sundays, we wanted to run that series in youth group as well. As I was preparing my message along with a visual for the youth to do, I was reminded by Holy Spirit about my teenage years and how my identity was formed so often by my experiences and things people said, more than what my Heavenly Father was speaking over my life. Can any of you relate? <\/p>","content":[{"type":"text","data":"This week I was sharing with the LW youth about Identity. Because we are in this series on Sundays, we wanted to run that series in youth group as well. As I was preparing my message along with a visual for the youth to do, I was reminded by Holy Spirit about my teenage years and how my identity was formed so often by my experiences and things people said, more than what my Heavenly Father was speaking over my life. Can any of you relate? "}],"data":[],"style":{"textAlign":"left","color":"","dropCap":false,"parent_style":{}}},{"type":"core\/paragraph","render":"
Growing up in a Christian home, you would think I would have known a lot more about what God says and live that out, but that wasn\u2019t the case.\u00a0 It wasn\u2019t that I wasn\u2019t being taught about God\u2019s truth, I just didn\u2019t know the difference between lies and truth when it came to my identity.\u00a0 Also, it is much easier to believe the lie that to stand in the truth at times.\u00a0<\/p>","content":[{"type":"text","data":"Growing up in a Christian home, you would think I would have known a lot more about what God says and live that out, but that wasn\u2019t the case.\u00a0 It wasn\u2019t that I wasn\u2019t being taught about God\u2019s truth, I just didn\u2019t know the difference between lies and truth when it came to my identity.\u00a0 Also, it is much easier to believe the lie that to stand in the truth at times.\u00a0"}],"data":[],"style":{"textAlign":"left","color":"","dropCap":false,"parent_style":{}}},{"type":"core\/heading","render":"
I shared with the youth about an experience I had when I was in the 5th or 6th grade that shaped what I thought about my identity for many years after. I was on a softball team in my little hometown, playing with girls I grew up with. I was picked to play on a team that had won the championship game every year for 6 years prior. I didn\u2019t get picked because I was good, it was just how things got sorted out. We played all season and I worked really hard at my batting and catching, but to be honest, both were still not really good. We came to the final game, the championship game, the one game that our team had worked all season to get and all the pressure ended up on my shoulders. We were down by one, bases loaded, two outs, and I was up to bat. I remember asking my coach if someone else could go in for me, but she said no and told me I could do it. What was she thinking? Strike one. Strike two. Foul ball. And then it happened. Strike 3. We lost the game at that moment and I was devastated. <\/p>","content":[{"type":"text","data":"I shared with the youth about an experience I had when I was in the 5th or 6th grade that shaped what I thought about my identity for many years after. I was on a softball team in my little hometown, playing with girls I grew up with. I was picked to play on a team that had won the championship game every year for 6 years prior. I didn\u2019t get picked because I was good, it was just how things got sorted out. We played all season and I worked really hard at my batting and catching, but to be honest, both were still not really good. We came to the final game, the championship game, the one game that our team had worked all season to get and all the pressure ended up on my shoulders. We were down by one, bases loaded, two outs, and I was up to bat. I remember asking my coach if someone else could go in for me, but she said no and told me I could do it. What was she thinking? Strike one. Strike two. Foul ball. And then it happened. Strike 3. We lost the game at that moment and I was devastated. "}],"data":[],"style":{"textAlign":"left","color":"","dropCap":false,"parent_style":{}}},{"type":"core\/paragraph","render":"
After the game, some of the older girls were not very happy with me and told me I should find another sport.\u00a0 They were probably right - but maybe they didn\u2019t need to say that.\u00a0 How does this come around to identity?\u00a0 Growing up, moments like these were the ones when the enemy could get in there and start to plant lies.\u00a0 Because of the way I was feeling, those lies started to sound true and I started to align with them, like any other normal person would do.\u00a0 You aren\u2019t good enough.\u00a0 You are not accepted.\u00a0 You are not liked.\u00a0 The list kept going.\u00a0<\/p>","content":[{"type":"text","data":"After the game, some of the older girls were not very happy with me and told me I should find another sport.\u00a0 They were probably right - but maybe they didn\u2019t need to say that.\u00a0 How does this come around to identity?\u00a0 Growing up, moments like these were the ones when the enemy could get in there and start to plant lies.\u00a0 Because of the way I was feeling, those lies started to sound true and I started to align with them, like any other normal person would do.\u00a0 You aren\u2019t good enough.\u00a0 You are not accepted.\u00a0 You are not liked.\u00a0 The list kept going.\u00a0"}],"data":[],"style":{"textAlign":"left","color":"","dropCap":false,"parent_style":{}}},{"type":"core\/heading","render":"
How many of us, no matter what age we are, are still living under some of those lies that started many years ago?\u00a0 What happens is those lies become the filter of how we see ourselves, how we see others, how we respond to situations, and how we will or will not move forward into areas of our life.\u00a0 The feeling of not being good enough or not accepted always kept me from really entering into relationships with others.\u00a0 It was especially hard with other girls because it was the girls on my team that hurt me the most with their words.\u00a0 Those lies and beliefs I had about myself and my identity went with me into my 20\u2019s and 30\u2019s, holding me back from so many opportunities and probably a lot of very good relationships.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>","content":[{"type":"text","data":"How many of us, no matter what age we are, are still living under some of those lies that started many years ago?\u00a0 What happens is those lies become the filter of how we see ourselves, how we see others, how we respond to situations, and how we will or will not move forward into areas of our life.\u00a0 The feeling of not being good enough or not accepted always kept me from really entering into relationships with others.\u00a0 It was especially hard with other girls because it was the girls on my team that hurt me the most with their words.\u00a0 Those lies and beliefs I had about myself and my identity went with me into my 20\u2019s and 30\u2019s, holding me back from so many opportunities and probably a lot of very good relationships.\u00a0\u00a0"}],"data":[],"style":{"textAlign":"left","color":"","dropCap":false,"parent_style":{}}},{"type":"core\/paragraph","render":"
When it comes to our identity, the only one that truly has the power to speak that over us is our Heavenly Father, who created each one of us in His own image.\u00a0 He is the one that we need to be turning to and to ask, \u201cWhat do you say about me?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>","content":[{"type":"text","data":"When it comes to our identity, the only one that truly has the power to speak that over us is our Heavenly Father, who created each one of us in His own image.\u00a0 He is the one that we need to be turning to and to ask, \u201cWhat do you say about me?\u201d\u00a0"}],"data":[],"style":{"textAlign":"left","color":"","dropCap":false,"parent_style":{}}},{"type":"core\/heading","render":"
In order to really know what our identity is, the first step we need to take is to ask ourselves, what lies am I believing and aligning with. When we had the youth do this the other night, they went for it. It was amazing! They spent some time being honest and real with their hearts. This is something I think all of us could benefit from. After they wrote down the lie, they began to ask the Lord two questions, \u201cWhat is the opposite of this lie?\u201d and \u201cWhat do you say about me?\u201d <\/p>","content":[{"type":"text","data":"In order to really know what our identity is, the first step we need to take is to ask ourselves, what lies am I believing and aligning with. When we had the youth do this the other night, they went for it. It was amazing! They spent some time being honest and real with their hearts. This is something I think all of us could benefit from. After they wrote down the lie, they began to ask the Lord two questions, \u201cWhat is the opposite of this lie?\u201d and \u201cWhat do you say about me?\u201d "}],"data":[],"style":{"textAlign":"left","color":"","dropCap":false,"parent_style":{}}},{"type":"core\/paragraph","render":"
My hope and prayer is that we can follow in the youth\u2019s footsteps and do the same thing. So many of us are living under the weight of these lies that began more years ago than we ever want to count. You may not even know it is a lie because it has been true to you for so long. As we spend time with the Lord and ask Him to reveal to us any lies that we believe about our identity, He will show us. <\/p>","content":[{"type":"text","data":"My hope and prayer is that we can follow in the youth\u2019s footsteps and do the same thing. So many of us are living under the weight of these lies that began more years ago than we ever want to count. You may not even know it is a lie because it has been true to you for so long. As we spend time with the Lord and ask Him to reveal to us any lies that we believe about our identity, He will show us. "}],"data":[],"style":{"textAlign":"left","color":"","dropCap":false,"parent_style":{}}},{"type":"core\/paragraph","render":"
During this identity series, I pray that our hearts will be awakened to the voice of the Lord and that only He would be the one speaking identity over us. I pray that we would be so aware of lies that are trying to grip our hearts and minds and instead of partnering with them, we would turn to the Lord for His truth in that moment. <\/p>","content":[{"type":"text","data":"During this identity series, I pray that our hearts will be awakened to the voice of the Lord and that only He would be the one speaking identity over us. I pray that we would be so aware of lies that are trying to grip our hearts and minds and instead of partnering with them, we would turn to the Lord for His truth in that moment. "}],"data":[],"style":{"textAlign":"left","color":"","dropCap":false,"parent_style":{}}},{"type":"core\/paragraph","render":"
It is not too late to walk in freedom and truth, we just have some steps to take! I\u2019m in, are you?!<\/p>","content":[{"type":"text","data":"It is not too late to walk in freedom and truth, we just have some steps to take! I\u2019m in, are you?!"}],"data":[],"style":{"textAlign":"left","color":"","dropCap":false,"parent_style":{}}}],"app_access":{"can_access":true,"restrict_message":null},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lwrv.org\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/60701","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lwrv.org\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lwrv.org\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lwrv.org\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/546"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lwrv.org\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=60701"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lwrv.org\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/60701\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lwrv.org\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/60702"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lwrv.org\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=60701"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lwrv.org\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=60701"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lwrv.org\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=60701"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}