* our rest is connected to our authenticity

Remember we said that humility is being known for who you are and who you are not.
That goes hand-in-hand with being authentic. The thing about being authentic is that it is vulnerable and we may find it easier to wear a mask and try to be someone else.

“Authenticity starts by letting go of fear of how others will perceive us.”
@labelmeloved

We can try so hard to fit in and be accepted that we lose who we really are.

It takes so much work to be who we are not. We will never be able to find rest because we live in fear of people finding out who we really are.

The masks we wear cover who we are and we have a hard time receiving love and approval from God and others, because we know who they are seeing is not who we really are.

The word hypocrite means acting and refers to people who are in plays; so we can conclude that you are being a hypocrite when you are not fully yourself.

We need to become comfortable with who we are, even if that means admitting we are imperfect. That is so hard in our current culture, we are expected to be experts, not mess up and hold everything together. We need to become ok with saying “I am progressing, I am not perfect.” And that should lend itself to having grace for others.

God is so faithful! He will finish the good work He started in us, but only when we get honest. He cannot work with a lie. There will be a cost to pay emotionally, as we face the areas in our lives that are not healthy and get honest about them.

Luke 8:43-48 tells us about “the woman with the issue of blood.” That is how we are introduced to her, no name just what’s wrong with her. We know that she had been bleeding for 12 years. Not one physician could help her. It was required by law that a woman with her menstrual cycle had to be separate during that time, because she was unclean. The woman could not rejoin the family until her purification ceremony was completed. Also, anyone she touched would be unclean and needed to be purified She could also be punished by the law if she touched someone.

Because she was unclean, she was required by law to live her life separately from everyone else.

Her issue made her isolated.

Have you ever been known for an “issue” you had, a situation you were in or how you looked? Do you feel isolated?

She was desperate enough to ignore religious law and social protocol to press through the crowds and when she finally got to Jesus, she touched the edge of His cloak. She was hoping she could sneak in and sneak out. She didn’t want to draw attention to herself. But as she is healed Jesus knew and stopped everything.

Let’s take a minute to look at the word touch or hapto = to fasten to or to cling to. As she touched Jesus’ cloak, He asked “Who touched me?” What He was asking was: “Who clung to me with their whole being in unwavering faith?”*

“Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she was instantly healed. Then he said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.’” Verses 47&48

Talk about being known for who you really are! She had no choice but to reveal who she really was and what she was struggling with.

Jesus called her Daughter!!! She belonged. She was no longer alone or an outcast.

He took her issue and gave her an identity.

You are the Daughter of the King. You are so valuable to Him, He sent His Son to die for you so you could be with Him in eternity. And one day your healing will be a testimony to someone, just like hers was.

In case you haven’t heard this for a bit: We need your courage, your laugh, your silliness and seriousness, we need your sadness and celebration. We need you to be whom God created you to be, instead of the exhausted you that is trying-to-be-what-others-expect-me-to-be you. We are missing out on knowing a wonderful, beautiful Daughter of the King. We need you!

So, let’s stop hiding behind things that are familiar and step into the fullness of being loved and be truly accepted by our Father.

He wants to take your issue today and give you an identity as His daughter!!!!

Here are some questions to start your time with God today:
What are some issues that have made you feel isolated?
How has God affirmed you as His daughter?

Have the most amazing day!
All My Love ~
Jodi xo

*taken from thefaithspace.com

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