He has sent Me to announce release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to send forth as delivered those who are oppressed [who are down trodden, bruised, crushed, and broken down by calamity]. Luke 4:18 (AMPC)
Yesterday we began a series about the different mirrors that people use to define themselves. The problem is we think we can know who we are by looking into these false mirrors. But these mirrors don’t accurately tell us who we are.
Another faulty mirror is other people’s opinions. If you look to others to mirror back who you are, you are going to be controlled by their opinions. People can give you great feedback and encouragement, but you can’t look to their opinions to determine who you are.
What happens if you end up working with a group of people who don’t think highly of you? If you use their opinions to determine who you are, your self-esteem is going to be in trouble. You can’t even rely on your own opinion of yourself. Jesus said that He came to deliver those who are oppressed, downtrodden, bruised, crushed, and broken down by calamity. If you feel badly about yourself, you need to know that He has set you free from that limiting opinion of yourself.
The truth is you’re amazing! You’re not incapable of being happy. You’re not locked in jealousy or anger, a prisoner to your emotions. Even if you are experiencing those things, that’s not who you are.
When you gave your life to Jesus Christ, a phenomenal, incredible miracle took place on the inside of you. You became a new creation, and as you keep turning to God’s Word to discover who you are, you will walk out that new creation reality.