SPIRITUAL & EMOTIONAL WELLNESS- What Is Your Label?

Ever notice when you meet someone for the first time, the question asked after “How do you do?” is often, “What do you do?” In our culture we seem to value people by what they do. So if the answer is a label from the professional field our society is more likely to value that person more than a “blue collar” worker.

This improper mindset may begin in the home, but is reinforced in our educational system, were it is but one of many pressures placed upon young minds. Some parents and educators even take the liberty to discourage children from following their passion to pursue a career in the high paying professions.

Another area in which labeling occurs is in relation to medical diagnosis. You may hear a person say, “I am a diabetic” or “ I am depressed.”  They equate diabetes or depression with who they are. In other words they are defined by a label.

We may have been programmed to value or identify a person by the label associated with their profession, occupation or medical condition, but the truth is, the value of a person comes from being created in the image of God. Every individual is created with a potential to fulfil a purpose for which s/he was born.

It takes a lot of courage and faith to become what God intended you to be, to seek the approval of God and not the approval of man.

As we follow Erin Stinson on her journey, in her book ”Mirror ,Mirror, to find Christian identity and purpose in a fallen world, we see a demonstration of this kind of courage and faith as she steps out from the profession of a “teacher” to pursue her individual passion and dream. Her book shows she did not act on a reckless impulse but on a well thought out decision based on sound theological reasoning and common sense.

She makes the point that “a good education, a good job and a healthy pay cheque do not equate with peace and joy."  She is also of the conviction, “our importance in life is not based on what we do."

I like the following example she uses to support her belief:

“If an athlete is in an accident that prevents them from competing have they lost their purpose? What if a concert pianist loses the ability to play? Are they now worthless? When someone is fired from a job are they now without purpose?"

Clearly our value, worth, purpose and importance in life is based on more than what we do, so  therefore we should not be defined nor  should we define others by their line of work or label.

Jesus was a carpenter, Matthew a tax collector, James, Peter, John and Andrew were fishermen. I might add, Paul was a scholar. They were all used of God because they were willing, not because of their label. They all left their careers to follow God’s purpose. 

Are you label conscious or purpose driven?

Until Next Time-Blessings!
Pastor Harold

SPIRITUAL AND EMOTIONAL WELLNESS

Are you stuck on the “Hamster Wheel” going nowhere fast and desperately wanting off. Well, as you continue with me on this journey this can change.

Stinson describes it as being trapped and feeling desperate. The anxiety rendered her ineffective in her Christian walk which forced her to ask soul searching questions such as: “Who am I trying to please? Who am I living for? What is my purpose? Am I living the life I am meant to live?

We have all asked the same questions at one time or another. As she began to think outside the box (or cage) she came to the realization she was placing a burden on herself to live up to other people’s expectations to gain their approval.

One of the driving forces to burn out, often including anxiety and depression, is the need to be a people pleaser and seeking that “pat on the back”. The satisfaction from this lasts only as long as the pat on the back.

Stinson made a very important observation during her self- reflection. She writes: “I began to realize that I needed to stop living for the words of praise from the world and pause to hear words of encouragement from my heavenly Father.”

The life of Jesus gives validity to her discovery. You will notice there were many pauses in his busy life and ministry. Why? He needed the approval of his heavenly father.

The Father publicly affirmed him at the beginning of his ministry, “this is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased.” What a difference this would make in the lives of our children if we as parents, especially fathers, would verbally give affirmation to our children. What a difference it would have made in your life if you had received the affirmation of your earthly father. Maybe you are one of the few who have but even if you were denied affirmation by your earthly father there is no need to seek it from others, rather seek it from your heavenly father.

Jesus said: “How can you believe if you accept praise from one another, yet make no effort to obtain the praise that comes from the only God.” John 5: 44.

Take heed to Paul’s words in Galatians 1:10.

“Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.”

First, and foremost we must remind ourselves we are not meant to be men pleasers, we are called to be God pleasers and His approval must be our priority if we are going to survive the Hamster Wheel and live in the freedom of the life Christ offers us. It can be the difference between being a "human being" or a "human doer." One causes us to be driven the other allows us to live in the moment as human beings pleasing God our Father.

Get off the Hamster Wheel and be free from the lies about who you are and what you are supposed to do. Seek the Father’s affirmation and experience a life without limits in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Until next time,

 Blessings!

Pastor Harold