He chose them long ago; when the time came he called them, he made them righteous in his sight, and then lifted them to the splendour of life as his own sons. Romans 8:30 (PHILLIPS)
One of my biggest pet peeves is when people portray Christians as unintelligent. It’s as though they think you have to put your brain on tilt to believe in God.
Meanwhile, everyone has beliefs. Some believe in evolution, which actually takes more faith. Millions of miraculous coincidences would have had to happen to achieve the complexity of life we have today.
Don’t ever look down on yourself for being a believer. We need to recognize that there’s a “heavenly dignity and condition or a state of being” that Jesus brings into our lives (Romans 8:30, AMPC). We have been lifted to the high standing of being children of God!
As you continue to study God’s Word, you’ll become more confident in who you are in Christ, and your actions will begin to align with your new nature, that true you. When you gave your life to Jesus, you were born again so you already are like Jesus inside. You just need to change your beliefs and habits to line up with the new you.
Your mind may still be filled with misbeliefs about yourself: “I’m not smart. I don’t fit in. I don’t deserve to be loved. I always fail.” All these negative, fearful thoughts need to be replaced with the truth.
The truth is you have every reason to be confident because Christ is in you, empowering you. God has made you brand new. As He is, so are you in this world (1 John 4:17). Keep studying God’s Word on this truth, so you can fully take part in the incredible life God has for you.