Style does not define you...

A friend asked me a thought provoking question the other day, it was something along these lines: Are you confused who you are? This was done in the most loving way. In a puzzled tone I asked why would you say something like that. She continued by saying that I have many different styles, referring to the way I dress, and that I must be confused in my identity. We continued to talk about this and I realized I do dress in many "categories." Sometimes I lean toward very girly with my flowery dress and mint green heels, while another day I may be rocking a leather jacket with studded glitter sneakers and then a totally different day I may decide to wear my flat-billed hat with high top Adidas. Its not that I am confused in who I am. My clothes do not represent an identity crisis, on the contrary, my clothes actually represent an identity confidence. I have found such a confidence in Christ that my style does not define me. Don't get me wrong there are still days where I struggle with who God created me to be, but He has shown me so much. And by Him teaching me who I am in Him, I can dress in freedom. I don't have to worry about if I change my style that it will change me. I know who I am in Christ:

I am complete in Him Who is the Head of all principality and power (Colossians 2:10).

I am alive with Christ (Ephesians 2:5).

I am free from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2).

I am born of God, and the evil one does not touch me (1 John 5:18).

I am holy and without blame before Him in love (Ephesians 1:4; 1 Peter 1:16).

I am God’s child for I am born again of the incorruptible seed of the Word of God, which lives and abides forever (1 Peter 1:23).

I am God’s workmanship, created in Christ unto good works (Ephesians 2:10).

I am a new creature in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).

I am a spirit being alive to God (Romans 6:11;1 Thessalonians 5:23).

I am a believer, and the light of the Gospel shines in my mind (2 Corinthians 4:4).

I am a doer of the Word and blessed in my actions (James 1:22,25).

I am an overcomer by the blood of the Lamb and the word of my testimony (Revelation 12:11).

I am an ambassador for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20).

I am part of a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a purchased people (1 Peter 2:9).

I am the righteousness of God in Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21).

I am the temple of the Holy Spirit; I am not my own (1 Corinthians 6:19).

I am the light of the world (Matthew 5:14).

I am His elect, full of mercy, kindness, humility, and longsuffering (Romans 8:33; Colossians 3:12).

I am forgiven of all my sins and washed in the Blood (Ephesians 1:7).

I am delivered from the power of darkness and translated into God’s kingdom (Colossians 1:13).

I am redeemed from the curse of sin, sickness, and poverty (Deuteronomy 28:15-68; Galatians 3:13).

I am firmly rooted, built up, established in my faith and overflowing with gratitude (Colossians 2:7).

I am called of God to be the voice of His praise (Psalm 66:8; 2 Timothy 1:9).

I am healed by the stripes of Jesus (Isaiah 53:5; 1 Peter 2:24).

I am greatly loved by God (Romans 1:7; Ephesians 2:4; Colossians 3:12; 1 Thessalonians 1:4).

I am strengthened with all might according to His glorious power (Colossians 1:11).

I am submitted to God, and the devil flees from me because I resist him in the Name of Jesus (James 4:7).

I am all these things only through Christ! Not through myself, not through what I do and DEFINITELY NOT through what I wear.  God has given us each a unique personality and style. He wants us to walk in confidence in what He has given us. God wants us to accept our body and our personality. We need to take care of what God has given us and learn to walk in boldness given by Him. As He has been working on my confidence and showing me who I am in Him, He has also shown me that it doesn't matter what I wear my identity is still firm in Christ. So next time you get dressed remember style does not define you, Christ should be the definition of your life.

Some of my style inspiration: 

So classy!

Love her Funky clothes and bright colors

Sometimes I go ninja hehehehehehe ;)

Living Surrendered...

sur·ren·der

səˈrendər/

verb

1. cease resistance to an enemy or opponent and submit to their authority.

2. abandon oneself entirely to (a powerful emotion or influence)

As some of you know I have to follow a strict diet. I had to cut out wheat, black pepper, eggs, dairy, potato and many many other things due to some health issues. It wasn't by choice it was by force. This is a challenge. I LOVE LOVE LOVE bread and ice cream and scrambled eggs and cheese and pizza and pretty much everything about every one of those main food groups! I felt sorry for myself for awhile and just ate plain chicken and rice for almost every meal. I didn't want to try and find stuff to eat I just wanted Jesus to make me better. He healed many people in the Bible and I have heard of so many stories of how people prayed and received healing in present days. So why wouldn't He heal me? Its not like I was deathly sick or even really sick, I am just an inconveniently sick. its not even really sick its more like "special". A "special" where I can't eat everything I want, where I actually have to plan out what I eat, where I can't just go into a gas station and grab anything I want. And boy oh boy did I do that before! Circle K was my grocery store! It was a struggle for awhile, like I said before I felt sorry for myself and pouted, but now I actually try and guess what its fun!! My mom is definitely the one who inspired me to try new things. She has taught me how to make breadsticks I can eat, Alfredo sauce out of cauliflower, and even chocolate cupcakes! It took me awhile to really appreciate having to make food, I am lazy and impatient in the cooking department and really like fast and convenient. So why am I telling you this...because it has changed my life in many ways!

The first way is I obviously feel so much better!!! But on the more spiritual side of things it has taught me what it means to really surrender something you love. Its an everyday battle to chose not to eat food on the "list" (the food does not make me instantly sick, it makes me really sick in the long run). It sounds silly I know: how can not being able to eat stuff teach me about surrendering things, well I will tell you how. I love these foods and I have to give them up. Its hard and Jesus is teaching me how to use an amount of self control I have never had to use ever before. It gives me such a real tangible example on giving up something you love (even if its just a small silly thing you really love). I have to give up my rights to food on a daily basis. It seems small but for me its huge. Jesus has been showing me over these past few months how hard truly giving things up for him can be. In America I feel like we don't struggle very much in other places on giving up things. I especially don't, I have a good job and pretty much have everything I want. So through food, Jesus has taken hold of my heart and been showing me how much one thing can be an idol in our life. I wanted to be mad at God for allowing my body to react to food I love but now I am thankful! It has taught me self control, patience and given me a small small glimpse of what surrendering is. I feel like because of dealing with this I am more aware of His voice and more ready than every to give something up if He asks me too. If its physical or mental or spiritual I am ready to surrender because in the long run, even if we don't understand why, there is a reason why He is asking us to give it up. He only wants the best for us and not to harms. Even though it wasn't Jesus asking me to surrender certain foods, HE is the one who made my body and my love for bread. Something else that I have learned is He wants to bless you! I have learned so many new ways to cook and stores have came out with so many options that as I am typing this I am enjoying a "special" Oreo like cookie. Its still a struggle and some days are worst than others. But when the urge comes to eat that breadstick or bowl of ice cream I can turn to the Lord for help even in the littlest of things. Realizing this has also helped me know how much my Jesus loves me and cares for me and wants to help me. SO even though this simple silly example of surrendering food I hope it shows you that when you obey what the Lord asks of you, either surrendering big or little areas, He will always be there helping and guiding you and in the end just wants you to receive the blessings intended for you!!

1 Corinthians 10:13

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Psalm 84:11

For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.

Psalm 37:5

Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act. 

Romans 8:18

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

James 1:2-4

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.