There are so many demands and peer pressure in our world today.  If I asked you, “Who are you?” would you answer with your job title?  Would you answer with the sport you play?  Would you answer the way your friends or family see you?  What would you say?

More time than not, you would answer this question quickly and with some sort of a title.  But do you really know who you are and what truly makes you happy?

I ask this question because there are way too many people trying to be something they are not.  They want to fit in with the crowd.  They want to look like someone else.  They want to be popular.  But, the problem with this is that most are unhappy deep within themselves.  I can tell you from experience that it never is all its cracked up to be nor can you please everyone.

As Christians, we tend to be “yes” people.  Yes, I’ll help you.  Yes, I’ll be there.  Yes, I can do that project.  And so on.  Unfortunately, most of us take on too many obligations which create pressure and stress within our own lives; losing the very essence of who we are.

When we try to please people around us, we tend to make them happy while making ourselves miserable.  The key here is to learn how to make ourselves happy first.  This is not selfish, by no means.  When we make ourselves happy and be who we really are, then that happiness overflows onto the people around us; creating a wonderful, loving environment that has more impact on others than just trying to fit in.

Let’s see what the Bible says about who we are:

• We’re a child of the Most High God (John 1:12)
• We are joint heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17)
• We are a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17)
• You’re a friend of Jesus Christ (John 15:15)
• You have been chosen by God (Ephesians 1:4)
• God looks at the heart of a man, not his outward appearance (Samuel 16:7)
• The king greatly desires your beauty (Psalm 45:11)
• You are a sweet aroma to God (2 Corinthians 2:15)

If God sees us as a beautiful child then don’t you think the best thing we can do is love ourselves in a meaningful, humble way.  I’m not talking about having an ego and thinking you’re all high and mighty.  What I’m talking about is, loving the person you are, loving yourself just as you are, and knowing that you are beautiful just the way you are.

It doesn’t matter if you don’t wear what everyone else is wearing or you’re not driving the best car or you don’t have the biggest home on the block…what matters is that you are happy from deep within your mind, body and soul.

There are always going to be naysayers or people who want you to be something you are not.  In Romans 12:12, we are specifically told “not to conform to this world…”  For when you are walking in God’s love and loving yourself, it will spill over onto others.  It will bring such peace and joy within your life; you’ll wonder why you haven’t done it before.  In Colossians 3:15 we are told to “be led by peace in making decisions”.  That is so much more important than doing things out of obligations.

Things don’t need to feel like a chore when you help someone.  If it comes from a deep passion within yourself, it will catapult the love you feel onto those around you.  This calm, stable and relaxing state of mind is the ultimate, rewarding experience.  People will notice the change.  People will realize that they too can enjoy life fully and will want to know how you do it.  That’s what it is all about…helping others from this standpoint of peace and leading by example.  It is more powerful than you realize.  Making a difference comes from the love inside of you; knowing who you truly are in Christ and allowing it to flow into others.  We all have received our very own special gifts and abilities (1 Peter 4:10) and we need to walk in these given talents.  It is a very rewarding experience.

SO…TODAY IS A NEW DAY!

EMBRACE YOURSELF!  For when you do, you will become an amazing person that will make a huge difference in the world around you.  For there is no better place to be than walking in your DIVINE DESTINY, being the person you are meant to be.  Believe it!  Live it!  There is no one else like you so stop trying to be like everyone else.

CELEBRATE YOUR UNIQUENESS…YOU ARE VERY SPECIAL!  YOU ARE ONE OF A KIND!

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