Anchored: The Truth of Transforming Grace

The comparison trap.  I’ve blogged about it before.  More than a few times.  But here is a one such post.  One from way back in the day and one that is, well, a little bit embarrassing.  I certainly hope that, given the circumstances again, I would not respond quite as  petty.  Oh my.  But the comparison trap is often like that, isn’t it?  We fall victim to it over the seemingly smallest, or silliest, things.  And those “silly things” rob our joy, destroy our contentment and lead us toward envy, lust and other such sins.  No wonder the enemy loves the ease of this trick in his arsenal.

There is another trick, or trap if you will, that seems to trip me up more often these days.  And I’m a bit surprised by that truth, to be honest.  But I find myself wrestling the enemy this way (too) often, so I thought it worth mentioning.  Or blogging about.  It is the trap of comparing me against me.  More specifically, with “past me.”  Looking at the past – never at the victories or high notes but, without fail, at the regrets, the failures, the embarrassing moments of defeat – and coming up short.  Something like “being your own worst enemy” except more unkind, caustic and hurtful.  Because I really do believe it is one of Satan’s tricks and he is, without doubt, my true worst enemy.

My past could easily keep me defeated.  I could always find ways to condemn myself.  But the truth is, in Christ, I am a new creature.  He has transformed my past.  And He is transforming my present as well as my future.  That is a truth that can keep my anchored!  If you have been reading here awhile, you know my “word for the year” is ANCHORED.  I have blogged about “the why” I need to be anchored.  How I want to not only be stable and secure in whatever life storms might come but I also want to avoid drifting when life is calm and the skies are sunny.  Last month, I wrote a post about the value of both friends and memorizing scripture to help keep me anchored.  For the next several posts in this series, I want to reflect on the truths that keep me anchored.  Those strong ropes holding me fast much like the ones that keep the hugest of ships moored tight to the shore.

So here’s the truth:  God’s grace transforms.  He looks at me and sees me as the child of God He is making.  He sees who I can, and will, become.  He knows my faults and failures, but He knows how to reshape those.  He sees me as valuable when I don’t.  Even sees me as a masterpiece!

I was recently given a list of “I am….” verses.  Not the I AMs of Christ but who I am as a believer.  As a child of God.  There are thirty-eight verses and corresponding “I am” realities on this paper!  This is a great memory verse challenge.  Each one of these not simply a wonderful reminder and encouragement, but it is also a direct counter-attack when the enemy tries to discourage and derail me.  When he too easily steals my joy and stops me before I even get started.  Goodness but I am grateful for truth.  For truth that anchors me.  Settles my heart.  And keeps me secure.

I would be happy to share this list of verses with you.  But I also think they are easy to find on the internet.  I found several versions with just a quick Google search of “Who Am I? list of verses.”  I pray you are encouraged.  That you stay in the fight against the enemy’s subtle (and not so subtle) tricks and traps.  And that your weekend ahead includes a reminder or two of what a wonderful Heavenly Father we have!!