BROKEN
We have all been broken/hurt by someone else or feel broken/hurt by our own decisions. God wants to heal our brokenness as we spend time with Him in prayer, Bible reading, and healthy relationships with other Christians. If we take “broken” as an identity, we miss the healing and freedom that God has for us in a relationship with Jesus. In the Garden, God gave us our identity as being created in His image and likeness. Sin made us broken, but as Christians, He calls us chosen, loved, adopted, daughters, saints, and redeemed.  When we live out of the identity HE gives us then we don’t have to stay “broken.”

  • Colossians 1:22 (NIV) – “But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—”
  • Romans 8:1 (when others sin against you) – There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
  • Psalm 51:17 (NLT) (when you have sinned) – The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart.
  • Psalm 37:17 – For the arms of the wicked shall be broken, but the Lord upholds the righteous.
  • 1 John 1:7 – But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
  • Psalm 68:19 – Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation.

FEAR
“Fear not” is the most common command in the Bible because God knows we are prone to fear.  If you do a word search of “fear” in the Bible it is often accompanied with the comfort that “God is with us” which can bring peace and wisdom in times of fear. Here are a few verses to get you started.  When you are fearful or anxious, you can pray these verses and ask God for faith, protection, and wisdom in the circumstances you are facing.

  • 2 Timothy 1:7 – …for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control
  • Psalm 56:3 – When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.
  • Psalm 34:4 – I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.
  • Isaiah 41:10 – …fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
  • Philippians 4:5b-7 – The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
  • Joshua 1:9 – Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

NEVER ENOUGH
The enemy lives to steal, kill, and destroy us through lies, condemnation, shame, and temptation. We can feel like we are never enough or will never measure up to God’s or man’s expectations of us.  God loved us first, while we were his enemies! He gives His grace and forgiveness to us abundantly, which we don’t deserve but it is a gift that we get to receive. Remind yourself in scripture what God says about the work He did to save us and the joy we get to experience as we do the things He has called us to do as we are in relationship with Jesus. Salvation is not about our work, it’s about the work He already did on the cross!

  • Ephesians 2:8-10 – For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
  • Philippians 2:13 – …for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
  • Proverbs 16:3 – Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.
  • Colossians 3:23 – Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.
  • Philippians 1:6 – And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
  • James 2:22 – …you see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works.

IN CHRIST!!
When our identity is IN CHRIST, our lives and decisions look different. Christ gives us what other identities can’t. He gives us ROOTS, faith, love, thanksgiving, strength, peace, power, and makes us a new creation! Read these verses to encourage you when you are doubting that you are IN CHRIST.

  • Colossians 2:6-7 – Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
  • Ephesians 3:17-19 – …so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith–that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
  • John 16:33 – [Jesus speaking] “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. but take heart; I have overcome the world.”
  • 2 Peter 1:3 – His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence.
  • Colossians 3:1-4 – If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.  For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
  • 2 Corinthians 5:17 – Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.