Jeremiah 29:11 says God has thoughts about you. God has thought you through to completion. You’re living proof you didn’t remain a thought in the mind of God. You’re a word God spoke into existence. Ever notice whenever God speaks a word, that word is always tested? He says you’re healed (Isaiah 53:5), but the doctor’s report says otherwise. God says He’ll never leave you (Hebrews 13:5). Yet He seems to do a disappearing act in your situation. Because you’re a living word, you’re tested to prove everything God said about you is true.
We also have thoughts about ourselves. Unfortunately, what we think about ourselves tends to be contrary to God’s thoughts about us. I believe the most intense battles we’ll ever fight are those that take place within the confines of our minds due to a poor self-perception. Perception defines how we see ourselves, our circumstances, others, and God.
Man’s fall in the Garden of Eden clouded his self-perception. It also caused him to lose his identity. Satan is keenly aware of the power of perception. He works feverishly to keep your perception tainted and your kingdom identity in Christ undiscovered so that God’s vision for your life remains unfulfilled. But thanks be to God, salvation positions you to reclaim everything you lost!
God is committed to restoring your kingdom identity. Philippians 1:6 says, “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” God is working on your behalf to shift your perception so it aligns with His will and purpose for your life. To shift means to “change to a different opinion or belief.” God has covenanted within Himself that you will be everything He says you are (I John 3:2). To become the undiscovered you requires a change in your perception.
The Samaritan woman in John 4:3-39 illustrates the results of a shift in perception. John 4:4 says, “And he (Jesus) must needs go through Samaria.” There was great hostility between the Jews and the Samaritans. Although the shortest route from Judea to Galilee was through Samaria, Jews took the longer route to avoid the Samaritans. However, Jesus purposely went through Samaria because there was an appointment on God’s divine calendar to transform the Samaritan woman’s life.
During the Samaritan woman’s conversation with Jesus, her perception of Him shifts from Him being a Jew (4:9), to a prophet (4:19), to the Messiah (John 4:25, 29). When her perception of Jesus changed, her perception of herself did as well. Her encounter with Jesus changed her self-perception to such a degree that she left behind her water pot (John 4:28). She now had a clearer vision of the Messiah and herself. As a result of the shift, she was launched into her purpose and impacted an entire city. Many came to know Jesus as a result of her witness (John 4:39).
What’s in the water pot Jesus wants you to leave with Him? Is it guilt, shame, disappointment, rejection, envy, jealousy, heartache? The contents of your water pot contribute to maintaining a marred perception of yourself and God. For your perception to change, you must leave your water pot behind. You know you’re shifting when you begin to confront what you used to avoid (John 4:28). Living out purpose demands a shift in perception.
To facilitate your shift, prayer and getting into God’s presence are vital to your transformation. God reveals things about Himself and you when you’re in His presence. But God doesn’t talk just to have a conversation. He talks to create. His intent is to create a new self-perception in you. God wants to shift you out of the old so He can lead you into the new. Understand that God is fashioning you into the person He created you to be. He wants to introduce you to the person you never thought you could be.
There’s no need to remain a victim of identity theft. Proverbs 23:7 says, “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.” God is going to change the way you think about you and Him. It’s time to reclaim your kingdom identity. Get ready for the shift!
Until next time…Be blessed!
Rev. Cynthia Jackson
Rhema Inspirations
Rev. Cynthia Jackson is the administrator of the Rhema4U Blog and Innovations Ministries Director. Rev. Jackson is a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was licensed and ordained under the tutelage of Bishop David G. Evans. She is an associate minister at Bethany Baptist Church located in Lindenwold, New Jersey. Rev. Jackson founded Innovations Ministries in 2001. Innovations Ministries provides dynamic and innovative programs and services for individuals and families dealing with various health-related issues. She is a gifted teacher, preacher, conference speaker and writer. God has anointed Rev. Jackson to be a spiritual midwife with a passion to empower others to birth God's vision for their lives. Rev. Jackson holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Organizational Management from Eastern University, a Master of Science Degree in Health Administration from Saint Joseph's University and a Master of Science Degree in Christian Counseling from Cairn University.
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