the power of names

I recently read a book (Shine by Allison Allen...I highly recommend it!) that reminded me how powerful names are.  Names give us purpose and identity, even when they are negative.  Names stick to us, like a name tag announcing to the world, "Hello, my name is..."  We may not even realize the name tags that we wear, and often we have taken on names that were never meant for us.

For many years, I wore the names fearful, rejected, and failure.  Somewhere in my childhood and teenage years and young adulthood, I took hold of lies handed to me by the devil and I believed that those names were my truth.  I held on to them and made them a part of me. 

Praise God, He put people in my life who shine a light on my true identity!  My parents named me Dawn.  The literal meaning of my name is sunrise or break of day, but the spiritual meaning is even better.  Dawn means beginning anew or joy and praise.  Every time someone calls me by my given name, they are speaking that into my life!  (If you don't know the spiritual meaning of your name, there are lots of books and websites that have them.  I recommend finding out!)  God has given me family, and pastors, and friends who speak the truth and remind me who God made me to be.

The Bible is filled with God's names for us.  (Neil T. Anderson's book Victory Over the Darkness is an awesome compilation of Bible verses filled with God's truth about us.)  He calls us chosen, friends, children of God, new creations, heirs of Christ, righteous and holy, God's workmanship, strong and courageous, and many more.  My favorite is LOVED!  God loves me and you!  (See John 3:16)

My emotions lie to me every day.  They try to tell me that my name is fearful or rejected or failure.  But I know the truth!  My name is Dawn...beginning anew, joy and praise!  My name is LOVED, friend, chosen, strong and courageous!  When I'm feeling fear or rejection or failure, I open my Bible and remind myself of my true names.

If you have held onto false names, let go of them!  Open the Bible and fill your heart and your mind and your spirit with God's true names for you!  Those names carry life and identity and purpose, and they are powerful!