Rooted: 30 Days to Strengthen Your Faith Through StruggleNäide

WEEK 1: Uprooting the Lies

Focus: Exposing the lies that keep us stuck and disconnected from our identity in Christ.

Day 5: Trauma Doesn’t Define You

“But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.” Isaiah 43:1-2

Trauma likes to redefine our identity. It lies to us to have us believe that we are too broken. That we are not lovable as is. That we have to work to earn worth and value and love.

The enemy uses the pain of trauma to lock us in shame - to call us by our pain and wounds.

But in Christ - he calls us by our NAME. He calls us by our IDENTITY in Him.

An identity that is rooted in the finished work of the cross. An identity that is redeemed, restored, blameless, righteous, holy, wonderfully made, God’s own masterpiece.

Circumstances can’t define us - although they try.

The only one who can define us is the one who created us. With intention. On purpose. Full of love.

And where trauma has tried to form us - God comes and reshapes us according to his original design. He doesn’t waste our pain, but works it out for our good and His glory.

I know for me, the enemy tries to use my trauma, my mental illness, as reasons why God could never use me. He tries to convince me to stay quiet and stay small.

God doesn't want that for me - or you. He wants us to be bold in who we are in Him and use our pain as a powerful testimony to God’s provision and love.

We must stand firm in our identity and Christ, and take captive any other voice that tries to elevate itself against the powerful and true word of God.

Reflection Questions:

• What painful memory still tries to define you?
• What have you believed to be true about yourself because of your past?
• What does God want to speak into your life right now?