Labels. When a person normally thinks of labels, they think of labels found in clothing or, perhaps, even on medicine containers. Name brand labels. Generic labels.
However, have you ever thought about the labels on people? What kind of labels does society as a whole try to place on different types of people? What kind of labels do people in the medical field try to place on different types of people? What kind of labels do people in the church try to place on different people?
Short. Tall. Fat. Skinny. Unattractive. Ugly. Bad. Dumb. Unhealthy. Sick. Poor. Needy. Wounded. Injured. Disabled. Self-Sufficient. Independent. Worthless. Sad. Depressed. Crazy. Delusional. Mentally Ill. Bi-Polar. Manic-Depressive.
What kind of labels are you trying to place on people? What kind of labels are you living with now? Are they a result of what others have labeled you? Are they a result of what you have labeled yourself?
Well, God has other labels for people. They are found in His word.
Beautiful. Wonderful. Loved. Favored. Chosen. Holy. Pure. Blameless. Righteous. Sanctified. Justified. Called. Healed. Protected. Worthy. Promoted. Humbled. Rich. Blessed. Wealthy. Healthy. (Psalm 139:14, Rom 10:15, Jer 31:3, Psalm 30:7, Matt 22:14, Eph 5:25-27, Heb 7:26, Matt 25:46, 1 Cor 1:2, Rom 5:1-2, Rom 8:30, 1 Peter 2:24, Job 5:21, Eph 4:1, Dan 5:19, Matt 23:12, 2 Cor 8:9, Rev 2:9, Deut 28:3, Psalm 118:26, Gen 24:35, 1 Peter 3:14 & 4:14, Matt 6:22)
So, whose labels do you believe? Whose labels will you receive into your heart and into your life?
Copyright 2011 by Dawn Freeman. All rights reserved.
Great post. I think I put as many labels on myself as I do on others. We all need to pay more heed to what God says of us.
ReplyDeleteYes! Definitely! Thanks, Shanda!
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