I am so privileged to welcome my friend and author, Amy Elaine Martinez to Peacefully Imperfect. Amy Elaine shares her thoughts about staying true to the new you. As a BONUS, I am giving away a copy of her book, ‘Becoming a Victory Girl,’ to one PI reader on Friday. TO ENTER: Comment below on how a fresh start or new beginning made a difference in your life. I look forward to hearing from you.
For Your miracles have made us who we are…Lord, do it again! Psalms 68:28 (The Passion Translation)
Tweet ThisTherefore, if anyone is united with the Anointed One, that person is a new creation. The old life is gone—and see—a new life has begun! 2 Corinthians 5:17 (The Voice)
Our old life ~ gone! And a new life begun! Truly believing He’s made a new creation in us sets us on the fast track to that new life. But, in reality, staying true to our new selves proves to be much more difficult than one might think.
Because the enemy knows our old selves so well, He’s aware of our offenses, involved in our most intimate history, and likely responsible for our wounds. He’s motivated by the grandiose fear of what we could be if we really believed who we are in Christ. His plan and scheme is to deprive us of every good thing Christ died to give us. If he can distract us with his scheming tactics, he hopes we’ll miss our calling, our destiny…our new self.
If we never see ourselves in the newness of life we’ve been given, our enemy has been successful.
Christ has already done the work. We have a new identity in Christ. The old things have passed away; newness prevails. What once held us in bondage, no longer has any authority over us. We have to continually fight our enemy to stay true to our new self.
In our newness, we’ve become unrecognizable to our old self. Therefore we constantly and unnecessarily battle our old demons. The shame of our past, unforgiveness of those who’ve wounded us, fear of the future and confusion about who we really are in Him will try to rob us of the new thing Christ has done. When we set ourselves before Him, asking Him to examine our ways, He’ll place us on the path that leads us back to Him. Our first line of defense is prayer.
Lord, Give me a fresh start.
See if there is any path of pain I’m walking on, and lead me back to your glorious, everlasting ways ~ the path that brings me back to You. Psalm 139:24 (The Passion Translation)
When the enemy comes knocking, there’s 4 surefire ways to keep him at bay.
- LIVE WITHOUT REGRET: Don’t look back ~ unless it’s with a heart full of gratitude for the miracle He’s done in you.
- LIVE UNOFFENDABLE: Create a lifestyle of forgiveness
- LIVE FEARLESS: Say no to fear
- LIVE LIKE ROYALTY: Because that’s exactly what you are
When shame calls, the best weapon we have is thanksgiving. So put on your boxing gloves and throw your punches of praise right back at your regret. The enemy cowers when faced with our courage. Truth prevails when we rehearse the good things, the mighty things, God’s done.
We can live without regret.
Forgiveness is the key to healing a wounded heart. It sets us free from the bondage of bitterness and brings overwhelming joy to a once-broken heart. We can choose to walk through life doling out mercy and granting grace to those around us.
Fear immobilizes. We must become brave warriors walking in our full authority. Even with shaky legs beneath us, we can stand on God’s Word: we’re more than conquerors, victory is ours, the battle has been won. Looking forward, we begin to see what the Lord sees. Fully expecting His goodness and anticipating His presence, we can pray to see the bigger picture our future holds.
We can live fearless.
The inability to embrace our new identity creates confusion and causes us to question the miracle He’s performed. To avoid this identity crisis, we must remind ourselves who we are. We’re sons and daughters of the Most High God, co-heirs in the Kingdom of God. Kingdom-living requires a new mindset.
We are royalty; let’s live like it.
Life happens; we are a people deeply in need of second chances.
Staying true to the new you happens when we begin to live without regret, unoffendable, fearless and like royalty.
Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past. See I am doing a new thing ~ do you not perceive it? Now it will spring forth! Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV)
Again, Each and every time we look towards Christ, we can be sure there is a FRESH START ahead.
It’s time for a FRESH START!
Display your strength, God and we’ll be strong! For your miracles have made us WHO WE ARE! Lord, do it again! Psalm 139:27-29
Amy Elaine
Amy Elaine Martinez is a devoted wife and boy-mom with a passion for Jesus, coffee, and of course, women’s ministry. She’s an inspirational speaker, gifted teacher, author of ‘Becoming a Victory Girl,’ and ministry leader.
Website: https://www.amyelaine.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amyelainewrites
Wonderful post! Met me at the point of my need. My husband and I are nearly empty nesters and I realized most of my identity was as a mother. Even my in my mother role I was wearing masks from childhood hurts and I didn’t realize how those masks effected my parenting skills until it was too late. Today I’m removing those masks and finding the true me. It’s been a painful journey. People are gone that I need to forgive and I’m stuggling with that. Forgiveness is a two way street – I’m having to ask for lots of it others myself. One thing I’m finding is that when a person finds the courage to to be herself and share her story it gives those around her the freedom to share their stories to be vulnerable and transparent. My story is just beginning to unfold. Thanks for your encouragement to be true to ourselves. I’m still at a point where I fear rejection if people know the real me behind my mask.
Again, thanks so much.
Cyndi,
Thank you for sharing your heart and all that comes with past hurts. We tend to wear those masks so others can’t see through us or see who we really are or what we’ve really done. There’s nothing like pulling back the veil to reveal what was once us. I am so thankful for God’s redeeming mercy and grace and that He gives us chance after chance for a fresh start. You have that my friend, and I will be praying for you on this journey. There’s not one of us perfect on this earth–only the PERFECT ONE who we trust in.
It is amazing my divorce 10 years ago made me open my eyes and become the woman, mom, and Christian I am today. My ex husband was not a bad man but was not a Christian man. The day he walked out I realized my Nannie had been right when she told me he wasn’t marriage material because he wasn’t a strong Christian. I made a specific list several years later of what a strong Christian man, leader of my family, and father to my boys looked liked and his characteristics. (Even as far as bald and couldn’t drive a white truck) I went to church and found myself wanting to read selfhelp bible studies. I learned through that not only what I wanted but what my boys and I deserved in a man. God blessed me with this man 5 years ago. He not only loved me and my boys but loved and cared for my ailing daddy who was living with us. For years I have wanted to go back to school but was unable due to life, daddy, and 4 kids. We lost my daddy this past June and in October I decided I was finally going back to school. God has opened so many doors for me. Every bible study I am doing or have done the past year has been about living your life to the fullest and using the gift God gave you to sever him. I have not searched out these studies. They have come to me through church and friends. That is NOT irony it is God telling me this is your time you are ready do not let anything stop you this time. It seemed strange at the time so many years ago to pray for the things I did in a life partner but God heard my prayers, answered my prayers, and brought me a Godly man to lead our family and love my boys as his own. (He is bald and does not drive a white truck either!!) See God even answers the super small silly part of your prayers also!
Tammi,
Thank you for sharing your beautiful story. Prayer is a powerful weapon and tool that connects us to God, our Father in a mighty way. When we lay down our prayers and petitions before Him He answers according to His Will for our lives and what He deems best for us. Where we see the impossible, He see the possible. So thankful for your godly husband and for your opportunity to return to school. There indeed is a time and a season for everything.
When I was a young college student I did something I regretted. I ask God to forgive me and He gave me a fresh start. I love the following from today’s post: “Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past. See I am doing a new thing ~ do you not perceive it? Now it will spring forth! Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV)
Again, Each and every time we look towards Christ, we can be sure there is a FRESH START ahead.
It’s time for a FRESH START!
Display your strength, God and we’ll be strong! For your miracles have made us WHO WE ARE! Lord, do it again! Psalm 139:27-29”
Everyday is a new start to a closer relationship with God. If I didn’t study or read His Word yesterday ; I can begin today. Remember Little steps; Progress not Perfection.
Julie,
So thankful for God’s mercy and grace and for the many chances He gives us to start again. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for this helpful information. This is giving me a whole new outlook on things now.
Heather,
We are so thankful you found Amy Elaine’s post helpful and insightful. I am so thankful for God’s mercy and grace, and for the chances He gives us to start over and begin again. Life is not always easy, but we do have the Almighty God walking every step with us.
All of this! Wow! TY for sharing your heart. Victory is ours in Jesus! I know I live,many days feeling defeated. Emotions are powerful! And the enemy uses those to weigh us down. Word of God is the only way to combat it!
Julie,
I’m so glad this post was a blessing to you. Emotions and defeat can overtake us temporarily, but it is God’s redeeming mercy and grace that gives us new life and a fresh start. Victory is ours in Jesus Christ. Amen sister.
This is a powerful post. I wrote a whole series and a Bible study on newness of life, and it’s a transforming theme in scripture. Thank you for sharing all your wisdom!
Hi Sarah!
Thank you for joining us. I’m so thankful for Amy Elaine and the perspective she brings to fresh starts. I debuted a series last year on this subject and was blessed to have 14 women join with me to convey God’s word and how He gives us grace, mercy, and the ability to start over.