Let Jesus write your biography
“When your identity is found in Christ, your identity never changes. You are always a child of God.”
- Tim Tebow
Erik Erikson, a stage theorist, created an eight-stage psychosocial theory of development. During each of these stages from infancy to late adulthood, two conflicting ideas are to be resolved. The successful resolution of these ideas will result in a wholesome adult that contributes positively to society. (https://courses.lumenlearning.com/teachereducationx92x1/chapter/eriksons-stages-of-psychosocial-development/).
Take a look at these eight stages:
- Trust vs. Mistrust
- Autonomy vs. Shame/Doubt
- Initiative vs. Guilt
- Industry vs. Inferiority
- Identity vs. Role Confusion
- Intimacy vs. Isolation
- Generativity vs. Stagnation
- Integrity vs. Despair
Do you find yourself battling these ideas in your life? Every single one of God’s children is challenged by these concepts, so show yourself some grace. Many times, our failure to resolve these issues results in self-sabotage, which affects our self-worth, confidence and psychological well-being. However, God’s word can redeem us from such defeat. In her book “The Struggle is Real”, Nicole Unice discusses how the events that take place in our lives write our autobiography. As you experience life and form memories from these experiences, keep this in mind: “the interpretation of that memory (that) shapes our understanding of ourselves… our successes… and the account we write” (68). There are certain memories from our life that we treasure and others that we avoid at all costs. Nicole tells us “our struggles point to deeply fractured places in our soul.”
Is it hard to visit those places on your own?
We all experience tribulations that test our faith. Hebrew 4:12 reminds us that God’s word “penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow.” James 1:6 provides one stipulation for when we seek such wisdom: “you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind”. God has the power to heal any and all suffering if we only invite him to do so. He freely and generously offers us wisdom. Ask God to search you, test you, and lead you. When you do this, you invite Him into those “deeply fractured places” so He can repair them and rewrite your story in the light of who He says you are.
You are his Created Woman.
Personal reflection:
1. Write down a list of your 3 favorite memories and your 3 least favorite memories from your life.
How often do you reminisce and celebrate your favorite memories?
Have you invited God to heal the least favorite memories?
2. Visit the website providing information on Erikson’s eight stages of development. Which of those stages do you recall experiencing in your childhood? Do you believe they have been resolved? Which of those stages are you actively overcoming? Do you believe you use God’s word to aid in your resolution of those conflicting ideas?
3. What faithful individuals can you lean on as you ask and receive God’s wisdom?
Are there people you love in your life that can lean on you to do the same?
Goal setting and sharing: List 3 goals that you would like to accomplish (at home, at work, with family, etc) that will allow you to live out your purpose in regards to rewriting your autobiography:
Created Woman is looking for a new Home Office Admin!
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Email: Created@CreatedWoman.net if interested
Subject: Home Office Admin
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Position Overview If you've got incredible administrative skills, you might be just the person we're looking for. We are a women’s faith and fashion non-profit organization aiming to help turn dreams into purpose and women into leaders through resources, gatherings and mentorship. We've got a ton of exciting new projects in the works this year...so many that we need a hand to get them all done.
A few questions...
● Do you love getting things in order and learning new platforms and programs to accomplish that task?
● Are you a competent personality wrangler? In other words, you get along well with others, but you also get things done.
● Are you the one that friends go to for help when their shortcut didn't work?
● Do you love watching from the back of the stage, knowing that the show was able to go on because of all your behind-the-scenes work?
This role is a mix of work-from-home as well as in-person collaboration. This is a part-time position that reports directly to our founder, while also working closely with other key members of the team.
This position involves meeting 2 hrs a week in person and completing 3
hrs of work on your own time. For a total of 20 hours per month/$10 per
hour. This role also needs someone who can attend our once a month gathering and quarterly board meetings.