The Real Me...

Hey everyone! I must admit that I am really excited about this weeks blog topic. I'm not going to lie, I thought it would be really easy at first, but the more I thought about it, I became absolutely terrified! Who am I? Who is the real me? I immediately found myself falling right back into those same self-doubt filled emotions. I'm not anyone special, I'm just some plain old girl that's not really good for anything. So I gave myself a swift kick in the rear and picked up those broken pieces and put them back into my personal little puzzle.

So Who am I exactly?

Well, I guess we can start on the surface and dig down as we go. I'm Kira. I am what some would call an extreme example of the stereotypical female. My favorite color is pink, I like sparkly things, puppies, and getting my nails done. It is impossible for me to make it from point A to point B without getting lost, as a matter of fact I'm not exactly sure how people ever drove anywhere before the GPS was invented. I have an undeniable type A personality, which basically means I'm ambitious, I usually take on more than I can handle, I'm proactive, and I can be considered a workaholic (good thing I love my job). It also means that I am sometimes impatient, overly sensitive to the silliest things, and highly competitive. (Hey, we all have our downfalls right?) I have outrageous organizational skills and attention to detail. Bad grammar makes me feel like I'm bleeding from my ears and has the ability to make me irrationally irritated. I'm nearly a 100% extrovert, meaning I'm not shy in the least bit. I love meeting new people and making new friends.

I love my job, I'm a respiratory therapist, I work in a critical care setting (ICU) which means I take care of patients (and their families) when things are looking the worst. I love helping people heal and see them get back to their normal lives. As part of my job, I'm the one responsible for "pulling the plug", it's something that I struggle with daily, it's never easy and I'd be lying if I said that it didn't take an emotional toll on me. I often struggle with the feeling that I'm not doing the right thing or that I could have done more. As you could imagine this part is also hardest for the families. To provide comfort for them while single handedly removing their loved one from the only thing keeping them alive is stressful and emotionally exhausting. I experience joy and pain on every single shift. I feel what they feel, and I do my best to offer as much comfort and help as I possibly can, I only pray that it is enough. 

I volunteer my time every year to a children's summer camp for kids suffering from asthma and other pulmonary issues. I lead an educational group, help kids discover their triggers and monitor their symptoms. It's so rewarding to see them come back year after year, having fun, learning, growing into young men and women. Of course it does not hurt my feelings to spend the week at an amazing christian camp and conference center. :)

My strengths... well, they are also sometimes my weaknesses. I have a strong attention to detail, which sometimes means that I over analyze even the smallest things. I'm a critical thinker, but sometimes tend to over think and complicate even the simplest of tasks. I have a great ear, I listen well and I'm the usual outlet for the fears and thoughts of my family and friends. I usually offer great advise, although I rarely follow it myself. I have the ability to see both sides of an argument, it sometimes gets frustrating when it comes down to 'picking a side' during debates and arguments, because I normally see right and wrong in both instances.

I am strong and fiercely independent. I am a sister, a daughter, a friend, a counselor, a teacher, a healer, and I am a child of God.

Romans 8:1

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the spirit. -Romans 1:8

Unpacking Romans 8:1

Condemnation: Accusation, Denunciation, Disapproval, Judgement. 

Therefore now no condemnation: Our sin, the cause of our condemnation, is REMOVED. Christ bore the condemnation for our sins HIMSELF. 

According to the flesh: Corruption of nature/ corruption of man. Persist in a continued pattern of sinning.

According to the spirit:  Holy spirit of God. Enter a spirit of grace, MAKE GOD OUR GUIDE! Follow God's influences, dictates, and directions. 

Who I Am...

"The more you reaffirm who you are in Christ, the more your behavior will begin to reflect your true identity" -Dr. Neil T Anderson.

     Let's face it... We have ALL struggled with doubt, insecurity, that nagging in the back of our minds that constantly tells us we are not good enough. I've often asked myself questions like "Why and I not good enough?", "What's wrong with me?", "Why am I such a failure?". We are told in 2 Corinthians 10:12 that those who "measure themselves and compare themselves with themselves" are not wise.

     
     It's so easy to fall into the same patterns of condemning ourselves and comparing ourselves, that we have convinced ourselves that if we were richer, prettier, smarter, etc... That if all these were true we would be content, happy, that we would finally be good enough. God does not want us to say these things to ourselves. We are told in Isaiah 62:3 that we are "a crown of splendor in the Lord's hand, a royal diadem in the hand of God." We do however, have the enemy of Satan knocking at our door wanting us to fall back into the self-doubt shadow. Satan is the father of lies; there is no truth in him (John 8:44).

If we have put our trust in Christ as Savior, we can stand on the promises of who we are in Him - Chosen, Holy, and Dearly Loved.

Who Am I In Christ?

I am accepted.
I am God's child. (John 1:12)
I am a friend of Jesus Christ. (John 15:15)
I have been justified. (Rom. 5:1)
I am united with the Lord, and I am one with him in spirit. (1 Cor. 6:17)
I have been bought with a price and I belong to God. (1 Cor. 6:19-20)
I am a member of Christ's body. (1 Cor. 12:27)
I have been chosen by God and adopted as his child. (Eph. 1:3-8)
I have direct access to the throne of grace through Jesus Christ. (Heb 4:14-16)


I am secure.
I am free from condemnation. (Rom. 8:1-2)
I am assured that God works for my good in all circumstances. (Rom. 8:28)
I cannot be seperated from God's love. (Rom. 8:31-39)
I have been established, anointed, and sealed by God. (2 Cor. 1:21-22)
I am confident God will complete the good work He started in me. (Phi. 1:6)
I am a citizen of heaven. (Phi. 3:20)
I am hidden with Christ in God. (Col. 3:1-4)
I have been given a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind. (2 Tim. 1:7)
I am born of God, and the evil one cannot touch me. (1 John 5:18)


I am significant.
I am a branch of Jesus Christ, the true vine, and a channel of his life. (John 15:5)
I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit. (John 15:16)
I am God's temple. (1 Cor. 3:16) I am a minister of reconciliation for God. (2 Cor. 5:17-21)
I am seated with Jesus Christ in the heavenly realm. (Eph. 2:6)
I am God's workmanship. (Eph. 2:10)
I may approach God with freedom and confidence. (Eph. 3:12)
I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me. (Phi. 4:13)


     When doubt comes against me, saying I'm not good enough, I will rely on the truth that God is for me! He says I'm fearfully and wonderfully made; all of His works are wonderful and I am one of them. (Psalm 139:14)

     So who am I? I am beautiful and I am a masterpiece. I am royalty. I am strong and courageous. I am precious. I am a conqueror. I... I am a CHILD OF GOD.