“For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” Matthew 16:25 ESV
“Life isn’t about finding yourself; it is about discovering who God created you to be.” Unknown
A few days ago, someone asked me, “What are the five signs one is losing themselves?”
Being a Christian, I answered:
Sometimes you can’t lose what you haven’t found.
It may be because of:
People-pleasing
Living someone else’s idea of who you are and what you do
Denial—refusing to come to terms with challenges or toxic relationships
Patterns— It’s comfortable and known—can be unconscious and requires counseling
Grief—For a time—The old normal is gone and the new normal is foggy
Lack of purpose
Caring too much about what others think of you
Talking to yourself in critical and shaming ways
Addictions with food, spending, drugs, gambling and more— This is a biggie
Not reaching out to others
Isolating and ruminating rather than doing something–Agency
Trying to change the past or control the future
Avoiding or nursing wounds from others — What is this feeling trying to tell me
Thinking life is fair and/or should be easy
Comparing
Control—Most events and persons in our lives are beyond our control
Not taking calculated risks
Lack of gratitude
And again, lack of purpose
Wouldn’t you like to lose the above? I sure do and my Father is helping me to do so one day, one moment, one destructive behavior at a time while keeping the picture of Jesus and his life in front of me. It is a life-long endeavor.
Here is a found life with Jesus:
All sins, past, present and future are forgiven
Loved just as I am—unconditional love
A future and a hope
He cares for me and my needs
My life is hidden in him
Courage
Strength
Joy
Peace – Not as the world gives
Rewards now and future
Like-minded friends—
Acceptance
Belonging
PURPOSE
There are many more and they are limitless like the Universe.
We are a New Creation.
Musings
What other religion has a Father with limitless and unconditional love? What religious figure wants an intimate relationship with us? What religion sacrificed their own child to save us? For me, Christianity is forgiving, loving, accepting and proven. No other faith cares to bless, forgive and love like the Father, Son and Holy Spirit for eternity.
Prayer
Dear Father,
As the old hymn said, “I was lost and now I am found.” As Jesus said, “Won’t the shepherd leave the 99 sheep to find the one lost?” There is a celebration in heaven when a lost sinner is saved.
Thank you for finding, lifting, keeping, forgiving, and giving us a New Life with purpose.
Amen.
Prayers and Musings of a Black Sheep 