Being Who God Created Me to Be

In 2 Corinthians 4:2 it says, “We don’t try to trick anyone or distort the word of God.” (NLT)

Nothing is more discouraging than trying to be something you’re not.

If I maintain a façade because I’m afraid that others might find out who I am or that God might not love me, then I’m going to miss out on God’s best for my life.

God does not bless fakes or phonies. If I want God’s blessing on my life, I need to stop living for the approval of others and start being who God made me to be. God didn’t create me to be somebody else. When I get to heaven, he isn’t going to ask, “Why weren’t you more like your sister or the popular kid or your successful friend?” He’s going to hold me accountable for how I fulfilled his purposes for my life.

The world doesn’t need two of me or anybody else. But the world does need me to do the work God has for me on earth. He shaped me and gifted me in a unique way, and we’re all missing out if I am determined to be anyone but myself.

Paul says in 2 Corinthians 4:2, “We don’t try to trick anyone or distort the word of God” (NLT). In other words, we’re not putting on a disguise or a phony mask. We’re not pretending we’re something we’re not. And we don’t twist the Word of God. Instead, we teach the truth plainly, showing everyone who we really are.

Nothing is more discouraging than trying to please everybody. Even God can’t please everyone. When somebody’s praying for a snow day, someone else is praying for blue skies.

If I’m always trying to be something I’m not, I’ll always be under stress and fear being exposed, and I’m going to be prone to discouragement.

To defeat discouragement, just be who God made me to be. I don’t have to be perfect for God to bless me—just be authentic.

When I tell others about Christ, I need to be careful to not distort the message to either please my audience or promote my agenda. Rather I need to proclaim the truth of God's Word.

In summary, to avoid being fake and to live with integrity, I need to refuse to wear a mask or play games. I don't maneuver and manipulate behind the scenes. I don't try to twist God's Word to suit myself. Rather I keep everything I do out in the open, the whole trust on display. I let others see and judge for themselves in the presence of God. I'm careful not to distort the message to please or promote my own agenda. I don't pretend, I'm open and I'm authentic. What people see is what they get. I care more about the approval of God than I do the approval of others. When I do, I'll do what's right. If I only care what others think, then I'll often only do what is wrong. To obey God's Word, I need to know what it says. I need to continue to get into it daily. It provides me with the strength and stamina to be real and honest with those around me. God created me to be me. So I need to trust him and be authentic.