In the Bible, in the book of Exodus, Moses asks God, “Who should I tell the people who sent me.” In other words, ‘What’s your name?”

In Exodus 3:14 God answers Moses by saying,

“I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.’”

I recently heard someone say that because God calls himself, “I AM,” we could be using God’s name in vain by saying “I am ____” and filling in the blank with something negative.

Exodus 20:7 “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God.”

I still believe that we shouldn’t use God’s name as a swear word, but perhaps we should also avoid calling ourselves something that contradicts who God made us to be!

When my children say something negative about themselves, it hurts this mama’s heart. I immediately correct them. How much more does it hurt God’s heart when we talk negatively about ourselves – His Creation…His child?

Who does God say that you are?

You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14

You are righteous Romans 3:22

You are loved Jer 31:3, Ephesians 3:18, I John 3:1

You are created with a purpose Jeremiah 29:11

You are chosen, special, royalty 1 Peter 2:9

You are protected Psalm 121:3, 2 Thessalonians 3:3

You are strong 1 Peter 5:10, 2 Timothy 1:7, Isaiah 41:10

You are a child of God 1 John 3:1

You are Holy and Blameless Ephesians 1:4

You lack nothing Psalm 23:1

You are honorable Psalm 8:5

“Our minds will be influenced either by our Father’s affirmations of us revealed in the Scriptures or by the negative thoughts and images that continually try to cripple us through feelings of rejections, loneliness and shame.” -SJ Hill, What’s God Really Like?

Let’s help our children remember who they are and WHOSE they are.

When they are talking negatively, have them REPLACE their words with truth.

Change “I can’t do this” to “I can’t do this, YET!”

“I am afraid” becomes “I am protected!”

“I’m a failure” to “I am chosen, holy, blameless!”

“No one likes me” to “I am loved by the Creator of the Universe!”

Take a minute, close your eyes, and let God tell you who you are!

You are LOVED!