Jabez: Deciding which labels to wear

1 Chronicles 4:9
9Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother named him Jabez saying, "Because I bore him with pain." 10Now Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, "Oh that You would bless me indeed and enlarge my border, and that Your hand might be with me, and that You would keep me from harm that it may not pain me!" And God granted him what he requested.…

Labels:  Continuing looking at how the labels we give ourselves or allow to be placed on us affect how we view our worth and ability to go forth in God's Kingdom.

A label seeks to define an item or a person.  It gives a description of a product, procedure or a person's character or abilities.  Labels can be based on truth or simply on perception or bias opinions.  They can be given by others or even put in place by the individual who wears the label.  We may not like all of the labels we wear especially if we've been labeled negatively by someone with ill will.  Sometimes even though we don't enjoy the label if we would take a while to examine ourselves we would see to some extent we've embraced it giving credence in someway to its existence.  Maybe a long time ago someone told us we'd never amount to anything and we see ourselves as a failure at life.  We don't like it, yet our mindset and actions scream that we've accepted the label making it visible to all those we come into contact with in our lives.  I realize this may be an uncomfortable prospect to face. 

Speak God's Word over you instead a destructive label.

A few days ago we looked at Judges chapter eight found that God called Gideon to rescue His people. Let's dig a little deeper.  Gideon's perception of himself threatened to derail God's plan for his life.  He saw himself as insignificant in the scheme of things.  This came about because the enemies of Israel taunted his people making them fear even for their livelihood and his tribe was considered the least of the least with him at the bottom of the pole.  The Angel of the Lord proclaimed over him...."you mighty man of valor"  Gideon needed to change his concept of himself and accept God's truth over him. 

The Process
There are examples of God changing a person's name to reflect their destiny in Him.  He spoke over Gideon, Paul reminded timothy t remember the sure word of prophecy spoken over him.  The process of changing a label that seeks to keep you from accomplishing your dreams may not be a one time event.  It may well require that you speak over yourself what The Holy Spirit has spoken over you.  It may take consistent speaking that truth in the face of the enemy of your soul trying to kick you to the curb and bring defeat your way.  Gideon had to come to see God's calling and let go of his feeling of failure.  A wonderful place to start is a study of who we are in Christ.

Some homework
It's one thing to read about labels and to even look at Gideon's story, but looking the mirror to see your own hindering labels is a bit harder.  Take a few minutes to be honest and write down labels that have been hurtful in your life.  What is God speaking to your in His Word about those labels?  Some of the labels may be valid in someway, but God's Word and the precious blood of Jesus can break any curse or sin,  You are free.  Speak God's Word over yourself.  Do a study of who you are "in Christ"