There is a freedom found when you journey through life being your true authentic self, and if each of us took a moment of honest reflection, it’s likely that many of us would find that we are not living lives of authenticity which has manifested negatively in different aspects of our lives.

 

This week we wanted to uncover three things that may be stopping you from being your authentic self, and consider how they can be reframed to allow you to start living out whoever/who God has called you to be.

 

 

It is common knowledge that worrying about what others think and how we are perceived can affect how we interact with and present to the world around us. Often times we find ourselves changing and adapting our behaviour and presentation in response to our surroundings. While the ability to adapt can be a positive trait, if you are unable to be true to you personality, values  and beliefs regardless of external pressures, then you are yet to experience an authentic life. We cannot control how we are perceived or received by others, so be encouraged to embark on the journey of being comfortable with being yourself. By no means are we perfect individuals, so there will be times when you will have to reflect, take accountability, and maybe even apologise as you continue to strive to be more Christ like. However, if you are being your true authentic self whilst also exercising self awareness, and some people don’t like that; then that’s on them, and it’s not your burden to carry.

 

You can’t control what others think but you can control what you think about yourself. Who are you? What do you believe about yourself? Where have you placed your worth, value and security? What life experiences have shaped your answers to these questions? Start off by reestablishing your identity as a child of God and what that means and looks like for you. What lies are affecting your self esteem. worth and confidence? Begin to identify, address and reframe them one by one, and consider therapy as a tool to help with this.

 

Fear is a paralyser. It stops you from moving forward, stepping out and taking risks, which is why addressing the above 2 points is so important. Some of us find ourselves in seasons where situations, relationships, or jobs don’t feel entirely right, and while no season is wasted and there is growth to be experienced through them, sometimes fear will keep us in that same place for a longer than the intended time. This prevents us from fulfilling God’s individual calling on each of our lives, even if you’re yet to identify exactly what it is. Remain steadfast in prayer, seek wise counsel from your community, be bold and welcome failure as a stepping stone.