There are many times in life I feel misunderstood. When I take a second look often it is rooted in the difference between how others interpret me and how I interpret myself. Furthermore, on a deeper level, there is a juxtaposition between how I see myself and how God sees me. It is the difference between the values assigned by the world, and by my human nature, that confuses the values and identity God places upon and within me. Changing my direction in life from a Kingdom Approach to a striving one. Covering me in a garment of shame instead of a garment of praise.
This opposing difference lends permission for conflict to thrive if I let it. The key in this is the power I give or not give to each situation brings about a degree of conflict and false identity with it. It is in this process of assigning or withholding values within life circumstances that misunderstandings tend to appear. As these values present themselves internally I have a choice in how I present or accept them externally, risking the response of others as they pair my 'personality' or 'character' with theirs and or choose to reject it. Defining me and labeling 'who I am' in positive or negative terms and values. Separating me from the Kingdom of Christ, as I let them.
A few key patterns present themselves as I observe my modes of reaction and acceptance to people in life and the circumstances that come with it. I realize that there are many divisions that seem to be vastly set apart from each other yet hold significant values attached to them. Some of these divisions being between the earthly and spiritual facets of human nature, the split between perceived wrongs and rights, and the judgments I place on others in order to attempt resolve that I perhaps have a better life approach at times than others. Conversely too, how inadequate I am in comparison to someone else. I often find myself camping here in the inadequate 'zones' of myself. It filters my perceptions through a marred lens. I need to rewrite the script in these cases and move out of inadequate zones into life giving territory.
Thus, in all these scales of difference and comparing I am learning something valuable today, in spite of how others see me both the same or different than themselves. The first knowledge being that even though I naturally rank myself next to others that God does not do this with me. I can put aside the art of blending in or standing out to be unnoticed or noticed. God sees me all the time and is with me no matter what. Secondly, that these divisions are such that human nature has created and are not intended by God for me to embrace. They can not separate me from the Father unless I let them. Thirdly, my identity springs forth from my values and that even when my values come out misunderstood I am not misunderstood by Holy Spirit. God still loves me. And lastly, my values shift when I see myself the way God intends me to be rather than how I presently am or feel in each life circumstance. In addition, my identity can shift and bud into that which is solely derived from a Kingdom Perspective regardless which earthly values are projected upon me or how I paint myself before the world. I am a tender work in progress and I can gain new ground by trusting the Father's promises.
Specifically, I am learning that I am both a Daughter and a Warrior. When the world can not satisfy or when the earthly lets me down, I can rest as a daughter of God or rise up like a warrior to attempt to introduce Kingdom Perspective. Also, I am learning the art of blending in closely with the Father so I can stand out in the world. Even though the values I carry or how I conduct myself may seem foreign or misunderstood by the world (and even at times misunderstood inside myself), when I am tight with Holy Spirit I know exactly who I am. Shame or blame has no room to grow.
Perhaps I am now even bold enough to learn and embrace a new Kingdom Perspective, combining both roles of Daughter and Warrior, into the identity of a Warrior Bride. A continuous standing stance within the world, in spite of earthly circumstance, that is composed and ready to humbly react only to that which the Father lends me grace to cultivate and protect. Washing off the fear of being rejected and even the warmth of being accepted by the world. Tenderly, with purpose, I begin to walk out of earthly mindset and walk a true path into my Fathers heart. Only here am I completely whole the way I was created to be.
This opposing difference lends permission for conflict to thrive if I let it. The key in this is the power I give or not give to each situation brings about a degree of conflict and false identity with it. It is in this process of assigning or withholding values within life circumstances that misunderstandings tend to appear. As these values present themselves internally I have a choice in how I present or accept them externally, risking the response of others as they pair my 'personality' or 'character' with theirs and or choose to reject it. Defining me and labeling 'who I am' in positive or negative terms and values. Separating me from the Kingdom of Christ, as I let them.
A few key patterns present themselves as I observe my modes of reaction and acceptance to people in life and the circumstances that come with it. I realize that there are many divisions that seem to be vastly set apart from each other yet hold significant values attached to them. Some of these divisions being between the earthly and spiritual facets of human nature, the split between perceived wrongs and rights, and the judgments I place on others in order to attempt resolve that I perhaps have a better life approach at times than others. Conversely too, how inadequate I am in comparison to someone else. I often find myself camping here in the inadequate 'zones' of myself. It filters my perceptions through a marred lens. I need to rewrite the script in these cases and move out of inadequate zones into life giving territory.
Thus, in all these scales of difference and comparing I am learning something valuable today, in spite of how others see me both the same or different than themselves. The first knowledge being that even though I naturally rank myself next to others that God does not do this with me. I can put aside the art of blending in or standing out to be unnoticed or noticed. God sees me all the time and is with me no matter what. Secondly, that these divisions are such that human nature has created and are not intended by God for me to embrace. They can not separate me from the Father unless I let them. Thirdly, my identity springs forth from my values and that even when my values come out misunderstood I am not misunderstood by Holy Spirit. God still loves me. And lastly, my values shift when I see myself the way God intends me to be rather than how I presently am or feel in each life circumstance. In addition, my identity can shift and bud into that which is solely derived from a Kingdom Perspective regardless which earthly values are projected upon me or how I paint myself before the world. I am a tender work in progress and I can gain new ground by trusting the Father's promises.
Specifically, I am learning that I am both a Daughter and a Warrior. When the world can not satisfy or when the earthly lets me down, I can rest as a daughter of God or rise up like a warrior to attempt to introduce Kingdom Perspective. Also, I am learning the art of blending in closely with the Father so I can stand out in the world. Even though the values I carry or how I conduct myself may seem foreign or misunderstood by the world (and even at times misunderstood inside myself), when I am tight with Holy Spirit I know exactly who I am. Shame or blame has no room to grow.
Perhaps I am now even bold enough to learn and embrace a new Kingdom Perspective, combining both roles of Daughter and Warrior, into the identity of a Warrior Bride. A continuous standing stance within the world, in spite of earthly circumstance, that is composed and ready to humbly react only to that which the Father lends me grace to cultivate and protect. Washing off the fear of being rejected and even the warmth of being accepted by the world. Tenderly, with purpose, I begin to walk out of earthly mindset and walk a true path into my Fathers heart. Only here am I completely whole the way I was created to be.
