How to Be Free of a Wounded Past Identity

It’s not easy to walk away from a wounded past identity.  I know that all too well.

It sticks. Rearing its ugly head even when we valiantly try pushing it and its labels away.

Trying everything, we cover it up with pretty clothes, make-up, smiles, laughter, or achievement.

Then we find ourselves leaning into the accomplishments of not only ourselves, but of our children. Maybe it’s the reason boasting on social media becomes so tempting. As an attempt to find worth, it may work for a while. But it’s only a facade and will not last forever.

Just beneath the surface and all the facades, the former identity lurks.

And ultimately, behind closed doors and in the quiets of our hearts, the cover-ups fall away. The questions of our worth remain.

So how do we set down the wounded past identity and walk away once and for all? How do we finally embrace our worth and wear it from the inside out so that we can live fully free in the purpose for which we have been created?

I believe there are some things we can learn about that from the story of Matthew. The very guy who wrote the first book of the New Testament. And yet the very guy once labeled as scum because of his life work as a Tax Collector.

As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. So Matthew got up and followed him.

Later, Matthew invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. But when the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with such scum?”

When Jesus heard this, he said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.” Then he added, “Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’ For I have buy nolvadex perth come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.” – Matthew 9:9-13 (NLT)

Matthew was sitting at his tax collector’s booth. A wealthy man made rich through unscrupulous means. Referred to by much of the general population as “scum”. The labels attached to him stuck firmly.

Swindler. Corrupt. Heartless.

Unworthy.

Not someone we would personally choose for our inner circle. Yet someone Jesus did choose for His.

So what happened? How did Matthew walk away from his label of “unworthy” and embrace the Truth of Christ? How did he unglue the “scum” and live fully free in the knowledge that Jesus chose him? That Jesus erased the past and made him new?

How did he begin to live in the reflection of his Savior rather than in the reflection of the world?

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Come with me over to my friend’s beautiful place of encouragement to know more about Matthew’s story, how it resonates with my own story of walking away from a wounded past identity, and what it means for you! I’ll give you 3 necessary steps and a prayer to begin your journey to embracing an identity made new! While you are visiting there, take a look around Gretchen’s content. It will bless you immensely and equip you to know God’s Word in a deep and relevant way.

If you haven’t already signed up to be a part of the Searching for Moments Community, I’d love to have you join me! I want to see you living a hope-filled, free, and victorious life. But to do that, you have to start with your identity – in knowing who you are and Whose you are.

Each week I provide encouragement and resources to fuel your faith walk and guide you toward knowing these vital truths! Don’t waste another day living in the reflection of the world. Grab onto your true reflection now!