Reject the Lies
Wisdom Gem #1: Reject the lies and the false narratives others have ascribed to you.
I was blessed to have parents who affirmed me! They repeatedly called out the gifts that they recognized God has placed within me. No one, I mean absolutely no one, can tell me that I'm not who God says that I am. However, there have been those along the way who have tried.
If you haven't noticed by now, I'm a student of the Book of Proverbs. Proverbs 26:22 teaches us that, the words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. We often think of a talebearer as a gossiper. While this may be true, a talebearer simply is a liar. The lies that someone may have told you or tried to tell you make wounds in the belly. The belly being our soul is our innermost being. They get into our hearts and minds and we believe them.
As a man thinks in his heart so is he! Proverbs 23:7
In the academic space we call this Self Fulfilling Prophecy. It is the process through which an originally false (aka a lie) expectation leads to its own confirmation. The seed that is planted will bear the fruit thereof, and you eat them. Proverbs 18: 8 - The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body. These lies then can become a part of who you think you are.
My parents planted affirming seeds of who they believed I was destined to become. Therefore, when people ask me who I am I can profoundly proclaim without hesitation, "I am a spirit-filled intellectual creative being."
The words they spoke, "Pam, you're spiritual and smart!" "Pam, one day you're going to own your own business." "Pam, one day you're going to be a Christian author." So, all the other things people have spoken or speak that don't align I simply reject!
Defining Yourself
I openly admit this confidence in who I am did not happen over night, and the work to maintain it is continuous. I repeat who I am to myself whenever necessary. I affirm myself all the time. I even look at the degrees I have in my office, and pull up my resume on LinkedIn, the books that I have published, to remind myself of all that I have accomplished.
So, how did I get here? Good question!
I did the work! What work? My soul's work. I spend time in the Word of God, prayer, journaling, meditating, talking to God and myself, going to therapy, and I began to align myself with the thoughts that God has for me. (Jeremiah 29:11) I also listen to what the people that God has placed in my life had to say about who I am. In essence, I allowed God to reveal to me who I am.
Wisdom Gem #2: Find out who you are for yourself.
The answer to who you are comes internally and externally - from within and without. Again, if you're following me I call these people Destiny propellers and partners. My parents were both, my mother still acts in this space and fills this valuable roll.
Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly...Psalms 1:1
I suggest that you write down in your journal all of your gifts, talents, and what you believe, and have learned. Who you are lines up with this list. Within these you will also find your purpose, your Destiny. Whatever your "superpower" is comes from within. Your values although they can shift in order of importance, they, your pillars, remain consistent with who you are.
Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars: Proverbs 9:1
Walk in Who You Are
Jesus queried His disciples. "Who do men say that I the Son of Man am? Jesus already knew who He was/is! The Father had revealed to him who He is. When Jesus' mother, Mary, came looking for Him, He questioned her, “Didn’t you know I had to be about my Father’s business?”
The disciples began responding with the various titles people had ascribed to Jesus. They had heard people say He was John the Baptist raised from the dead, Elijah, Jeremiah, or just a prophet. Peter as we know gave the accurate response. He said, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus told Peter that he was correct, and that God had to reveal that to him.
Jesus knew He was/is the Son of God! Jesus' life on earth displayed who He is! His teaching, preaching, the miracles He performed, the love and compassion He showed, the finished Work on the Cross of Calvary, the Resurrection, and His Ascension.
Wisdom Gem #3: Allow God to Prove You
Jesus said, "If you don't believe me for my word say, believe me from my works." St. John 10:37 - 38. You will not have to go around proclaiming who you are all the time. Allow God to prove you. And when you move accordingly, He will!
Wisdom Gem #4: Move in Who You Are
When I say move, I'm talking about how you show up! It's letting your light shine, and not hiding it under a bush. It's walking in the confidence of who God has said you are. It's walking in the anointing that you know is within, wrapped around your gifts and talents. I also call this your OIL!
In Him we live, and move, and have our being - Acts 17:28.
This to me means, I've checked in with the One who holds my future, who chose me, predestinated me before the foundation of the world - Ephesians 1:5.
This takes a different level of vulnerability. To move without the fear of being questioned, and if you are, you know the answer. You know who you are!
Apostle Paul said, "But by the grace of God I am what I am:" I Corinthians 15:10. He knew he wasn't one of the original 12 Apostles. He also knew there was no mistaking the encounter he had with the Lord on the road to Damascus. It is very much so notable in the man's labor.
So, I ask you, "Are you moving in who you are?"
Again, I'm Pamela Cone! I'm a spirit-filled, intellectual, creative being! By the grace of God I am who I am. All that I am and do exudes from this knowledge.
Blessings to you,
Pamela Cone
Founder & CEO
Curated Spaces, LLC
Author & Journal Curator
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