Regardless of talents, possessions, or position, many struggle with insecurities every day. Do people like me? Am I working hard enough? Where is my place? We often feel there is something we must prove, and the culture in our world encourages this belief. But we don’t have to live that way.
We invest time and money desperately searching for a way to change how we feel when discovering the reason why we feel that way at all is the key. Insecurity, anxiety, worry, and anger are all the body’s response to fear. Once we get to the root of that fear, then we can deal with the problem and find true freedom.
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. —2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV
Journal: Name something in your life that makes you feel anxious or insecure. What is this feeling a response to?
Many come to know Jesus as our personal Savior and wonder why we still deal with anxiety and fear. Shouldn’t it be washed away by the blood? The journey to freedom is a journey to discover God as our Father; it is then that we are free to be all that He created us to be. We are not orphans in this world but adopted into the family of God, yet we continue to operate out of an orphan mindset.
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. —Romans 8:14-17 NKJV
There are two opposing mindsets:
The Orphan Mindset:
- Operates out of abandonment
- Struggles with insecurity
- Feels like there is always something to prove
- Defines who they are by what they have
- Tries to please people
The Adopted Mindset:
- Operates out of security in who Jesus has called them to be
- Rests in God’s affirmation
- Feels like they don’t have to earn anything
- Knows that He loves them right where they are
- Serves people
It is up to us to choose which mindset we will use. Half the battle is learning to recognize the orphan mindset in us. As we shift our perspective, we begin to realize more of who God is, and as a result, more of who we are too.
Have you ever reacted to a situation and wondered why you reacted that way? We tend to brush it aside and ignore what we feel. God is calling us to lean in and chase the feeling to get to the root. Ask yourself: What am I feeling and why am I feeling that way? Then confront the root with the Truth. You can then choose to react out of Truth, not just feeling.
But it doesn’t stop there; it’s a daily choice. What we feed our minds is important. The things we watch or listen to, the company we keep, the influence we allow in our lives - all determine which mindset is stronger. What we feed, we will follow. We must be careful which mindset we nourish.
Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. —Romans 8:5
Let’s choose to operate as an adopted child of God today.
Journal: Share a time that you reacted to a situation in the wrong way. What were you feeling and why were you feeling that way? What Truth did you need in that moment?
Activation: During your quiet time this week, read aloud this affirmation that Pastor Michael shared at the end of his message:
God loves me just the way I am, not the fixed version of myself. God loves me right where I am today, and He likes me too. Even on my worst day, God loves me just as much as He does on my best day.
Prayer: Father, help me to recognize the orphan mindset in my life. I ask You to reveal the root and start the healing process that I so desperately need to have a deeper relationship with You. Forgive me for embracing the attitudes, the actions, and the feelings of an orphan spirit. I want to operate as a Child of God, adopted and loved by You. I ask that you heal my mind, emotions, and heart from the spirits of abandonment and rejection. In Jesus’ name, I sever all ties to these feelings. Please help me to have the heart and mindset of a son and daughter. As Your child, help me to turn my heart toward You today and every day. Amen