from realizing your purpose in life and identity in Christ.
giving any consideration to whether or not you are living in the reality of your
essential identity. Too many Christians focus on outer image at the expense of
inner image. They settle for less than they were created to be. The Word of God
is the only influence that has the right to define you. But you will never
discover your essential identity unless you have eyes to see and ears to hear.
Generational curses. One of the foremost ways that strongholds of insecurity
and rejection are established in people's lives is by the spiritual transfer of
the sins of the fathers to the children. A man will deal with his children
exactly as he was dealt with unless he makes a conscious choice to do otherwise.
This process will continue generation after generation until the curse is
realized and broken through repentance and prayer.
is human relationships. Your relationships are the key to your personal success
or failure; they will either coach you into destiny or restrict you from your
ultimate purpose. Everything we are today, good and bad, is a product of the
people we know and the lessons we've learned.
Insecurity. Much of the insecurity we struggle with is not a result of who we
are, but rather a result of using a false measuring stick to determine our worth
and value. We often fall into the trap of comparing ourselves with those whom we
perceive to be “perfect” in those ways in which we desire to excel, and in doing
so we block the wisdom of God from revealing our life's purpose. The measuring
stick for your destiny is not your husband, wife, brother, sister or classmate;
it is the divine pattern established by God.
Rejection. Man's greatest fear is that he will not be received, respected and
loved. We search for significance in materialism, sexual gratification,
achievement, self-improvement and even religion. But none of it works because
this is a spiritual problem that cannot be solved with a natural solution. Some
people even use rejection as a means to manipulate others. Rejection and
manipulation will distort your essential identity.
Unforgiveness. When we allow unforgiveness in our lives, we set in motion a
chain of circumstances that often results in emotional, spiritual and relational
destruction. But forgiveness is for the sake of the offended as much as it is
for the offender. Forgiveness is the act of believing the Word of God and making
the conscious choice to release your offender from your desire for revenge.
Perfectionism. Perfectionism is the fear of failure expressed through an
overcompensation to succeed, at the expense of personal fulfillment. While many
perfectionists appear to be overachievers, their motivation is usually fueled by
a desire to gain acceptance and to overcome a poor self-image. How much of your
life have you wasted in a futile attempt to gain the approval of others? In
order to unveil your essential identity, you must give yourself the freedom to
grow into who you are.
