[Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Don’t let your pain distort your identity

Read: Jeremiah 1:4-5

Meditation verse:

“But she said to them, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me” (Ruth 1:20).

Many people are operating from a place of pain. They have allowed the things they have passed through a life to change them. They have assumed an identity that is alien to who God created them to be. God created and shaped you specifically for the assignment He wants you to fulfil. God said to Jeremiah “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born, I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.” You were designed to fit the demands of your purpose.

However, some people have allowed the hurt and pain inflicted on them to change them. Many have become distorted and out of sync from who they were created to be. Others are stuck, chained to their pain, still yet, many are wearing their hurts like a heavy garment and are bent over. When you allow your pain to change you, you become unfit for your original assignment. Your identity is distorted, your shape is now different and unsuitable for your assignment. This is the reason some of us feel stuck, restless and unable to move forward. You cannot run with your purpose if you are chained to your pain. You cannot flourish if you are operating from the pressure and pain. Your focus flows from your heart. If your heart is heavy with pain, your focus will be foggy, and your perception distorted.

Who hurt you? What events do you keep replaying in your mind that is preventing you from. Moving forward? What do you need to let go? You need

to forgive, free your heart and move on, else you’d just keep surviving instead of thriving. Lay your pain at the feet of Jesus. Cast your cares upon Him; for He cares for you. Stop carrying the pains of yesterday. You were not designed to carry them. Jesus Christ is your burden bearer and chief high priest. Stop pretending that everything is okay, start confessing that you need help. Healing starts with admitting your vulnerability.

Ask the Lord to heal your heart, clear the fog and renew your mind. Ask Him to realign and refocus your life. Ask Him to reset and return you to your default shape. Ask Him to move you from your current distortion to your destiny.

IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Pst (Mrs) Oke Chinye

Founder: The Rock Teaching Ministry (TRTM)

For prayers, counselling or to support our vision of blessing more lives with this devotional, email: rockteachingministry@gmail.com

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