I’ve been reading a book called Parenting the Wholehearted Child by Jeannie Cunnion (excellent book by the way) and she talked about how we know we are loved and accepted when we know who we are in Christ. So that got me thinking about how I have spent so many years not feeling accepted because of my body or thinking that I needed to conform to a certain pattern or image of this world. I have learned that there are more issues if I don’t accept my body where it’s at; like I’m accepting defeat. So I started thinking, what would happen if I knew (really knew) and declared who I am in Christ? Because in Christ I AM accepted!
“Those of us who struggle with food, eating, body image, and weight may spend excessive energy performing for acceptance because we equate our self-concept with our outward appearance. When our reflection in the mirror is less than perfect, we may continue to try to improve ourselves and an abusive pattern of starving or stuffing ourselves may persist” (Hunger Within, Chapter 5: Worth Not Shame).
Heidi Bylsma shared an amazing file with me with many truths about who we are in Christ. Today I sat down, with the printed list, and picked out the ones I felt that were most applicable to me in the moment (of course all of them are). And then I wrote down (with some fun colored pencils) on a sheet of paper. I will keep this paper on my bathroom vanity to read each day and confess. These are truths I can renew my mind with. And I know as I renew my mind, God will transform me (Hebrews 12:1-2). As I declare these truths, I will believe them more and more.
You see, it’s not what I do that makes me who I am. It’s not my outside appearance that makes me special. It’s not how well I perform or go about my work. I am who I am because of who I am in Christ–because of what He has done for me. I am accepted because Christ accepts me.
You and I are accepted by Christ no matter what. This list tells us who you are in Christ. So when you look in the mirror, you can lift that chin up and be confident in the Lord despite what you see or wish you could see. You are His beloved! You are accepted!
“This undeniable, unavoidable longing for a sense of value is a sanctified hunger placed in us by God’s design, but we will never experience inner peace until we face the truth that nothing of this world–our appearance, our past or present performance, possessions, or the opinions of other–can fulfill our longing for security and significance…Our hunger within will persist unsatisfied until we can see ourselves not through the eyes of the world but through the eyes of our loving Lord” (Hunger Within, Chapter 5: Worth Not Shame).
When you know who you are in Christ and you know you can accept your body as is, you will start to relax and be thankful for your body. It’s not quitting or giving up. It’s not saying you will never release another pound. It’s being confident that the Lord loves you and accepts you right where you are at and that He will complete the work He has started in you. I really think this is a vital part of the journey toward freedom in this area of our lives, especially if you have been worshiping the skinny idol.
“When we accept ourselves for what we are, we decrease our hunger for power or the acceptance of others because our self-intimacy reinforces our inner sense of security” (Hunger Within, Chapter 5: Worth Not Shame).
When you know who you are in Christ and this journey becomes about what’s within, you focus on your heart relationship with Christ and not the number on a scale. If you are first starting your journey this may feel hard to imagine or accept because you just want the added weight gone. And I can encourage you that you will release weight in conjunction with the Lord working on your inner man as well. It’s pretty amazing!
Would you like to renew your mind with some truths about who you are in Christ? Here are some truths to get you started:
Who I Am In Christ
- I am God’s child for I am born again of the incorruptible seed of the Word of God which lives and abides forever 1 Pet. 1:23
- I am forgiven all my sins and washed in the blood Eph. 1:7
- I am a new creature II Cor. 5:17
- I am the temple of the Holy Spirit I Cor. 6:19
- I am delivered from the power of darkness and transformed into God’s kingdom Col. 1:13
- I am redeemed from the curse of the law Gal. 3:13
- I am strong in the Lord Eph.6:10
- I am holy and without blame before Him Eph. 1:4
- I am accepted in Christ Eph. 1:6
- I am blessed Deut. 28:1-14
- I am a saint Rom. 1:7
- I am qualified to share in His inheritance Col. 1:12
- I am the head and not the tail.
- I am above only and not beneath Deut. 28:13
- I am victorious Rev. 21:7
- I am dead to sin Rom.6: 2, 11
- I am elect Col. 3:12
- I am loved with an everlasting love Jer. 31:3
- I am established to the end I Cor. 1:8
- I am set free Jn. 8:31-33
- I am circumcised with the circumcision made without hands Col. 2:11
- I am crucified with Christ Gal. 2:20
- I am alive with Christ Eph. 2:5
- I am raised up with Christ and seated in heavenly places Col. 2:12
- I am His faithful follower Eph. 5:1
- I am the light of the world Matt. 5:14
- I am the salt of the earth Matt. 5:13
- I am called of God II Tim. 1:9
- I am brought near by the blood of Christ Eph. 2:13
- I am more than a conqueror Rom. 8:37
- I am in Christ Jesus by His doing I Cor. 1:30
- I am an ambassador for Christ II Cor. 5:20
- I am beloved of God I Thess. 1:4
- I am the first fruits among His creation James 1:18
- I am born of God and the evil one does not touch me I Jn. 5:18
- I am a king and a priest unto God Rev. 1:6
- I am a joint heir with Christ Rom. 8:17
- I am reconciled to God II Cor. 5:18
- I am overtaken with blessings Deut. 28:2
- I am healed by the wounds of Jesus I Pet. 2:24
- I am in the world as He is in heaven I Jn. 4:17
- I am a fellow citizen with the saints of the household of God Eph. 2:19
- I am sealed with the promise of the Holy Spirit Eph. 1:13
- I am complete in Christ Col. 2:10
- I am the apple of my Father’s eye Ps. 17:8
- I am free from condemnation Rom. 8:1
- I am the righteousness of God through Jesus Christ II Cor. 5:21
- I am chosen I Thess. 1:4
- I am firmly rooted, built up, strengthened in the faith and overflowing with thankfulness Col. 2:7
- I am a disciple of Christ because
- I have love for others Jn. 13:34-35
- I am built on the foundations of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the chief cornerstone Eph. 2:20
- I am a partaker of His divine nature II Pet. 1:4
- I am God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works Eph. 2:10
- I am being changed into His image Phil. 1:6
- I am one in Christ! Hallelujah! Jn. 17:21-23
- I have all my needs met by God according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus Phil. 4:19
- I have the mind of Christ I Cor. 2:16
- I have everlasting life Jn. 6:47
- I have a guaranteed inheritance Eph. 1:14
- I have abundant life Jn. 10:10
- I have overcome the world 1 Jn. 5:4
- I have the peace of God which passes understanding Phil. 4:7
- I have access to the Father by one Spirit Eph. 2:18
- I can do all things through Jesus Christ Phil. 4:13
- I walk in Christ Jesus Col. 2:6
- I press toward the goal for the prize of the high calling of God Phil. 3:14
- I live by the law of the Holy Spirit Rom. 8:2
- I know God’s voice Jn. 10:14
- I show forth His praise I Pet. 2:9
- I always triumph in Christ II Cor. 2:14
P.S. I created a Sound Cloud recording reading these truths. Enjoy!
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Hi: I am fairly new to TW. I joined this group on December 1st and went through the trade book with HEIDI. This was an amazing experience and I stayed focused on God consistantly through to Day 30. I decided not to weigh but I can tell by my clothes that I have released some weight. But over the last 2 weeks I have been struggling to stay in that same place God seemed to have me as I was doing the study each day. I have ordered the Hunger Within book and intend to join in on the group statrting Feb 1st. Today, I thought maybe I should reach out which I have only done a couple of times before. I am feeling down and lonely as I am looking for a new job and I think I’m believing lies about myself as I wait on God and try to trust Him for employment. Wow… I am surprised how easily I can loose the motivation to renew my mind. I am reading the blogs and listening to sound clouds but it doesn’t feel the same ? Can anyone give me some insight? Thankful, Tracey (Thank you for the sound cloud…. it motivated me to write this comment)
There is a Thin Within Discussion and Support group that you could become a part of that can maybe help keep you focused until your new class. I think you could ask Heidi to add you. Hope this helps some.
I don’t know how many truth cards you were able to make in only 30 days, but review those, or create some new ones while you have time between classes. Mine really help keep me on track!
Oops! I failed to say I’ll be praying for you! Also, just as another thought, I think being new to TW, support is very important. I found I got a lot of that in my first class that covered the Tradebook from Aug through Dec. I’m in my second study now on the TW Workbook #1. So, I only had about 3-3-1/2 weeks “on my own.” For me, I think it’ll be a while before I do okay outside of a group. And maybe I’ll always do better with some type of connection. Hang in there! Your next study is about to begin!
Thank you for your follow up Kathryn !! Now that I have received many responses… there is a lot of support through groups etc. It is a bit overwhelming … I am asking for discernment to focus on one or two things at a time. Wanting balance in how much time I spend on the internet 🙂
Tracey, there are so many ways to renew your mind. The important thing is that you are going to the Lord and seeking His truth. I know in my journey, I have used different methods for different seasons. My favorite has been journaling scripture prayer. I’m glad you are enjoying the Sound Cloud recordings. Sometimes I use those to renew my mind as well. Keep seeking Him!
I loved this blog! Seems I have a list to make! It’s a wonderfully amazing feeling knowing who we are in Christ and how much we are loved!
Thank you, Kathryn! There is such freedom that comes when we know who we are in Christ. The more I understand it, the more accepted I feel! He loves us SO much!!
This was certainly a timely read. I need to eat only when hungry and sleep only when tired! I’ve been oversleeping a lot lately. I know in part it is due to stress, but it has been robbing me of my identity in Christ. I have been feeling as a failure to God because of my laziness. Romans has revealed to me that as I desire the Holy Spirit and put my focus on HIM I will not be succumb to the flesh. Reading your blog has helped me to get my focus realigned. Thank you Christina
Suzanne, so true about how knowing who we are in Christ impacts every area of our life, even our sleep. Rest in Him!