Faith

Misunderstood Self Discovery

by Curt Klingeman
06/15/25
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Self-Discovery

Have you ever felt misunderstood, and people take things wrong in spite of your best intentions? When dealing with other humans that is to be expected. Everyone has their own set of filters, and thus, see things differently. The temptation for some is to try to conform to how others think, which can cause personal conflict. Especially, if they don’t’ agree with everything others believe. Adding to the confusion is not being clear about their own values.
   When a person does not know what makes himself tick, he may set out on a journey of self-discovery. Hoping to figure himself out, while trying to become his best version in the process. After a lengthy excursion, some find they are no closer to figuring things out than when they began.
   The problem may rest in where they look for answers. That may come in various psychological explorations, to include books, therapy and the world of self-improvement. There are so many resources available, it can make your head spin. Then there’s that question of who do you trust? How many find themselves on a never-ending quest, because nothing has satisfied the itch, much less, filled the void?
   Perhaps, they’re looking in the wrong places. That’s not to say there is nothing of value in some of these spaces, but human reasoning only goes so far. Leaning on your own understanding of things is not very helpful in getting to the desired destination. And that’s rub: do they even know what they desire? If so, is it the best one?
   Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.

Look Upward; Not Inward

Genesis 1:26-27 And God said, Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in His Own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them.
   It can be difficult to wrap your mind around the fact we are created in the image of God. That being the case, perhaps the journey of self-discovery should not be inward focused. By the way, some of the psychological, and self-help resources attempt to conform God into our image. That is one way to become severely confused. Frankly, it is demonic in some cases, and definitely flesh-driven in others. Certainly misguided!
   Romans 8:29 For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
   Since we’re created in His image, it might be best to look upward instead of outward, or inward. Because humanity was corrupted by sin, it might be hard to believe we were created in His image; but we were. God had the solution to the problem before it all began. Which in a sense, placed the decision in our hands as to whether we conform to His image; or choose a different one to which to conform, so to speak. In the latter case, the void will never be filled!
   Jesus cleansed us of our sins by His Own Blood, that we may conform to His image. How does one conform? Submit to Him. The more submitted you are to Him, the more you will be like Him. To be clear, every human being is still uniquely made, and has his or her own personality. Which means each of us has a unique relationship with God. Conforming to the image of Jesus is not about a personality change; rather, it is about being who He intended us to be, while allowing Him to manifest through us (i.e., the fruit of the Spirit as found in Galatians 5:22-23).
   As long as a person pushes Him away, he will never know his true self, nor his full potential. Our full potential is found in Jesus, as we are complete in Him. A person will never feel complete, nor fulfilled apart from Him.
   Romans 8:14-17 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together.
   It is far more satisfying, fun even, to discover who you are in Him. Let Him speak to your heart, and allow Him to reveal exactly who you are. After all, He’s the Designer. Let Holy Spirit reveal Who God is, who you are, and what the relationship should like through Scripture. The more you embrace your true identity, the more joy you will experience. You do not have to live in confusion. One thing is for certain, God understands you perfectly. Go to the Source!

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