“The names you allow to label you often title the scripts you live by.”

A thought by Chris Hodge from his book, The Daniel Dilemma: How to Stand Firm and Love Well in a Culture of Compromise (Kindle Locations 549-550). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.)

What is your name?  Do you like it?  

Chris says, “Of course, we all have names. Whether or not we reflect the characteristics of our given names at birth is not the point. What matters most is the name we have written on our hearts and minds. It’s what we believe about ourselves and then live out.

“Maybe you were labeled ‘stupid’ or ‘fat’ as a kid, and despite earning a college degree or running 5Ks, you still see yourself based on those childhood labels.  Perhaps you’ve let sickness define you. Cancer or diabetes or MS is not only your disease, but it’s also become your identity.  You might let your relationships define you. You’re a husband or wife, an ex, a sister or brother, a boss, an employee.  You may have let circumstances determine your name. Maybe the death of a loved one, tragedy, or bankruptcy have become your identity.”

Chris asks, “What’s your name right now? What are the names you secretly feel are attached to you like gum on the bottom of your shoe? It’s important to identify these. The names you allow to label you often title the scripts you live by. What you believe in dictates what you live out.”

He goes on, “This explains why the number one goal of your Enemy, the Devil, is to attack your identity. He wants to give you a different name—one that stands in direct contrast to the name God gave you when he created you.”

Chris says, “In almost every name-changing story in the Bible, after an encounter with God, a person’s identity becomes more authentically revealed. They experience the freedom to stop living by cultural constraints and to start living in spiritual freedom. And the same can be true for us. God doesn’t see what you are based on where you are now; he sees what you can become based on where he wants to take you. He knows the actualities, but he sees possibilities. He recognizes what you’re capable of doing and activates the greatness in you that you don’t see in yourself. When you give him control of your life, he’ll give you back your name!”  

Would you like God to give you back your name?