YOU ARE WHAT YOUR WEAR

by Tiffany Knowlton, M.A., LMFT, Therapist at Turning Point Counseling

Every day, when you wake up, you might choose what you're going to wear for the day. But, the truth is, you're already wearing so much that you may not be aware of.

Why Not Intentionally Clothe Ourselves with Things that Christ Wants for our Lives and do Away with What He Doesn't Want?

Ephesians 4:21–24 says, " to put off your old self, which is ... corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."

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Many of us struggle with forgiving ourselves. The weight of our sins is sometimes unbearable for us. We can wake up every morning and instead put on righteousness and forgiveness like it says in Isaiah 61:10… "He has clothed me with the garments of salvation; He has covered me with the robe of righteousness."

As for righteousness, this is the state of being right with God. What would it be like to wake up every morning with complete forgiveness of self and sins and feel like you are right with God? The Bible is clear about removing that dirt, grime and mud that is sin and replacing it with joy, strength, power, and splendor from God (Psalm 30:11, Isaiah 52:1, Luke 24:49).

So Why Don't We Do This?

The answer lies in a lot of habits and patterns that we created. These habits and patterns can be taken off of who you are. They are old and worn out and we have become used to maintaining them. They do not match our existence and identity in the Lord. We continue to do these behaviors without awareness and insight on a daily basis. Our freedom from these habits comes with placing our trust in the Lord.

When we try to control our lives, we are living in an illusion. Many of us use this attempt to control things around us as a way to make up for childhood experiences of powerlessness or manage our current chaotic lives. We seem desperate to hold onto any control within the chaos.  We need to let God be in charge of our lives.

How do we do this?

·  Delegate:
Whether it's at work or at home, allow yourself to let go of some responsibilities. Don't do it all on your own. This kind of over control in your life leads to burn out. Delegation allows for a kind of freedom which will give you just a little taste of what it's like to be able to let go and let God be in control.

·  Change Your Language:
Add things to your language like, "You can decide " and "You can choose." You will see that letting someone else make decisions and be in control won't be so bad. You will survive and you will also feel a lot less pressure in your life.

·  Keep a Prayer Journal:
When you pray, write down the things you pray for in your journal. When God answers your prayer, go back and put a check by it or write about how it was answered. This shows you that God is in control of your life and that God does answer prayers. You will learn that appealing to Him is much more powerful than taking matters into your own hands. God's plan for your life is so much bigger than you can even imagine.

·  Remind Yourself that God Knows You Better than You Know Yourself:
He made you, He loves you, and He only wants what's best for you. God's plan for you is way bigger than your own. He is not a punishing, unloving God but a Lord that wants the best for you.

·  Avoid Judging Others as this is Also a Form of Control:
If you're a victim of judgment, you know how painful and paralyzing this can be. Judgment seems to stem from expecting others to be just like you. God wants us to focus on our walk with Him, not anyone else’s.

In this journey of letting go, you will make many mistakes, backslide, and feel that it is impossible.  Just keep going. Ironically, most people feel trapped with the idea of accepting that God is in control. But, the truth is - it will result in true freedom and peace.

I pray that you find this freedom and peace. God bless you!


Tiffany sees clients in the Norco, Rancho Cucamonga and Upland locations.  If you or someone you know would like to schedule an appointment with Tiffany, or with a counselor in one of our other locations in your area, please contact us at 800-998-6329 and we will be able to help schedule and appointment for you! 

You can also visit us on the web at
www.turningpointcounseling.org,
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http://www.linkedin.com/company/turning-point-counseling
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Compliments of
Turning Point Counseling
1370 N. Brea Blvd., Ste. 245 - Fullerton - CA - 92835
800-998-6329 - TurningPointCounseling.org