What Does God Want Me To Believe About Myself? (Part Two)

 

Around the age of 3-8+ I was relentless about sneaking food. It worried my parents that, regardless of me feeling bad every time, I continued to sneak food, even in the homes of other people. It definitely needed to be solved. As time went on, I matured and learned to control myself better.

Satan, using the tool previously mentioned in part one would tell me and try to convince me that I “was a thief.” He would tell me that my small weakness of sneaking food formed the biggest part of my identity. It’s laughable to think of something so small becoming so big in our mind, but Satan is very skilled in it.

If an addict has a relapse, even after years of sobriety, Satan tells them that all the work was a waste and that they’re back where they started. He minimizes the “win” of having been successful for so long, and makes them believe that these mistakes define us entirely. 

What is God’s role in helping us to overcome this tool of Satan? He helps us to overcome this false identity Satan has created for us in several ways, for example:

1. We all have the divine identity of being God’s children. Just by the nature of who we are, God is helping us. We can recognize that there is more to our identity than just “being broken.” In the scriptures, the prophet Moses had an experience in which he saw God face to face (Moses 1:1-11.) God called to him saying “Thou art my son.” God calls him “my son” twice more in just a  short conversation together, emphasizing the importance of remembering our divine lineage. Later in verse twelve after God has left, Satan comes and calls saying ”Moses, son of man,” followed by a temptation. Satan’s first tactic was getting Moses to doubt his divine identity. Moses is able to overcome this attack from Satan by affirming: “I am a son of God” and then casting out Satan in the name of Jesus Christ. His strength came by holding to his identity, and calling upon the name of his Savior. 

2. Next, God can help us to create a more Christlike identity. With God’s help we are able to receive strength to overcome the feeling of “brokenness,” as well as helping us to forgive, serve, and turn outwards, ultimately enabling us to become disciples of Jesus Christ. In the Leading Saints Podcast with Kurt Brown, broadcasted on May 27, 2023, a story is shared about a man who struggled to stop viewing pornography. He had been fighting for fourteen years, and had gone to different recovery programs, yet every day, he still had several mishaps. He started going to a new church ward, and talked with his new bishop about everything. His bishop gave him a new suggestion: “everytime you lose a battle, look at yourself in the mirror and say “it’s okay.” Accept that you have this struggle and that you aren’t a bad person because of it. Then, proceed to find a way to serve someone else.” This new approach took time and dedication. After a few months however, his efforts bore fruit, and he reached five months of sobriety. He explained later that, before, he believed he was a bad person for being an addict. It had become part of his identity. But once he could accept himself - even with the weakness - and focused on serving, he became a “minister.” God created a new identity for him, allowing him to change and live that better identity.  

3. God helps us by loving and never giving up on us. If God believes that we are worth His time and His love, then that must speak wonders about our true identity. Dennis Schleicher, author of Is He Nuts?: Why a Gay Man Would Become a Member of the Church of Jesus Christ shared with me his experience with God’s love.

“Before feeling God's love, I was in deep self-doubt and isolation. I remember grappling with feelings of inadequacy, fear, and confusion. The internal dialogue was often negative, undermining my self-worth and capability. I felt confined by labels and judgments that defined me as an 'outcast' and 'not enough.' There was this persistent feeling of being lost, like I was in a dark room without directions or guidance. 

The transformative experience of feeling God's love was like finding a compass in that dark room. It was as if a soft, warm light had started to glow, illuminating the space around me. I felt seen, loved, and worthy for the first time in a long while. I began to understand that my identity is not limited to the labels or the mistakes of the past, but rather, I am a child of God, inherently valuable and capable of growth and change. This divine love didn't just make me feel better; it inspired me to improve. I learned that God's love isn't merely about comfort but transformation. I realized negative perceptions do not bind me; I can shape my narrative and rise above challenges with faith and determination.”

Not only did God’s love overcome the lie about “being broken,” but it inspired him to want to be better - not out of shame or fear, but rather, because of God’s love.

To simplify, God can help us break free from the beliefs that keep us living below our higher potential and identity.  He can do so in many ways: He helps us to see past the limited identity by creating us as his sons and daughters. He helps us develop Christlike attributes and become better disciples; therefore creating a new identity. He also never slackens his efforts in our personal journey, and walks with us every step of the way. This is a sign of our divine worth, and surpasses Satan’s lies.