You might not have recognized me, might even have tried to avoid me, had you met me in my teen years. I was a foul-mouthed, often drunk, angry, and self-destructive kid. I viewed my circumstances as hopeless and myself worthless and regularly lived as if both those statements were true. But then God began reaching deep into my heart, transforming and healing me bit by bit.
Through His grace, God shattered my chains of sin and heartache, only I hadn’t quite learned to step into that freedom. I hadn’t yet learned to live in my new identity—to allow His love and 
grace, and not my past or my shame, to define me.
This was especially true when I behaved not as the redeemed daughter of Christ that I currently am but the bitter and sinful girl I’d once been. In those moments, and the regret that followed, I was tempted to believe that I still was that sinful girl.
But that girl is dead and gone, never to return. For “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me” (Philippians 3:12).
No matter how I feel and regardless of the struggles I face, God’s precious, perfect Son lives in me. Click To Tweet
I’ve heard it said: All sin is an identity problem. That statement’s too deep, too rich, to unpack here, but when I sin now, as a daughter of Christ, that’s certainly true. I’ve forgotten who I am and who I’m called to be. When I fight for “my” rights, it’s evidence that I forgot Christ saved me to die—because only in death to self can I truly live. When financial insecurity or fear of loss stirs ugly behaviors within me, it’s evidence that I’ve lost sight of my position as my Daddy’s girl. I’ve forgotten that I am indeed His child, and that He will provide for me and meet my needs.
When I fight for that promotion, or that project, or that idea, thinking that thing will somehow fulfill me, I’ve forgotten that I’ve already received intimate interaction with the Creator and lover of my soul.
Whether I’m temporarily stuck in sin or in shame, the answer is the same—grace. To meditate on God’s grace deeply and consistently. To regularly take time to remember the price He paid—for me. To contemplate what such an act revealed about His heart—for me.
And to praise Him for the fact that I truly am free.
When I pause to reflect on the cross of Christ, my gratitude stirs within me a desire to live better. Click To TweetTo live fully as the woman He created me to be. To grab hold all Christ’s death purchased for me.
He died to set me free. I honor Him and the price He paid when I learn to live, daily and deeply, in that freedom.
If you’re struggling to anchor yourself in that place, in your Father’s heart, these verses might help:
“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom” (2 Corinthians 3:17, ESV).
“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery” (Galatians 5:1, ESV).
“And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, He has now reconciled in His body of flesh by His death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before Him” (Colossians 1:21-22, ESV).
What is keeping you from fully experiencing and living in God’s grace today?
Some additional resources you might find helpful:
Becoming His Princess Bible study, which will help you center your identity in Christ, recognize His power and presence in your most challenging circumstances, find rest from your striving, and daily live in Christ’s grace. Grab your copy HERE. Watch the video session on learning to live in grace HERE.
Listen to two Faith Over Fear podcast episodes on learning to live in grace HERE and HERE.
Read through Wholly Loved devotional, Anchored and Secure: 60 Days of Resting in Grace. Find it HERE.
Save the Date!
And Mamas and Daughters, keep an eye out for our upcoming online mother-daughter conference, Beautiful Mess, where we’re learn how to not only live in grace, but love one another with the same healing, empowering, life-giving grace with which Christ loves us! This event is coming April 16th-17th. Watch for more information.
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