One definition according to Oxford language of perception is a way of regarding, understanding, or interpreting something; a mental impression.
There is a saying “whether you think that you can, or think that you can’t, your right.” If you perceive that you can do something you are going to give it your best. Even if you fail, you are going to fail trying. If you think you can’t do something, you can quickly talk yourself out of even trying. So when we step out in faith it is important that we understand that God is going to meet us there.
How we perceive ourselves will impact our willingness to step out into God’s call on our life. Whether it be stepping out into a five-fold ministry role or stepping out to love our neighbor and be God’s hands and feet to those around us it is important that we understand whose we are and who we are in Him. Only then will we realize that if He calls us, He will equip us.
A lot of times, others will call on our gifts and abilities because they perceive them within us. Sometimes others provide a confirmation of what God has been speaking to us privately. He is using them to encourage us to step out. He has given them eyes to see us through His eyes. I have seen Him pursue me in this way often. I have that clear guidance from Him, but I hesitate because I don’t want it to be about me. He will send someone along who doesn’t know me well enough to know what He has been speaking to me privately. He wants to change my perception to see I have heard from Him.
Other times, I have had people call out things in me that I don’t perceive. A few times, it has been something that I had not considered before. Often these have come from people who know me more personally. Although, I have also had a couple prophets doing the same. Regardless of the source, I take it under advisement and bring it before God to see, is their perception right? Sometimes, God has used it to prepare me for the next place He is taking me. He has to open my eyes to change my perception of where He is taking me.
Other times, I have had people call out things that I walk in regularly, but never perceived as something God was using me in. There are things I do in my career, things that come so naturally to me, that I walk in regularly, but I have always perceived as part of my training. I had never considered how God could use these things, how He has. God had to change my perception of how He is using me.
Another way God has used others in my life, is when I couldn’t see the vision because it did not look like I expected it to. I have a God sized vision, but it took several people pointing out I was already walking in it. It doesn’t look like the final vision I have in my mind, so I couldn’t see it at all. God needed to change my perception to show me what He was already doing. He is still changing my perception of how that vision goes forward.
The most important thing that have changed my perception is the Word of God, the Bible. Learning who He says I am, created a change in my perception, and it is something that as I allow it to, changes my perception. Allowing the truth of who God says I am, the value He gives to me as my creator and what He says I can do, changes my perception. I spent several months journaling scriptures about who God says I am. If you need to allow the Word of God to change your perception of who you are, here are a few scriptures to start with, it is by no means exhaustive.
John 1:12 I am God’s child.
John 15:15 As a disciple, I am a friend of Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:1 I have been justified.
1 Corinthians 6:17 I am united with the Lord, and I am one with Him in spirit.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 I have been bought with a price and I belong to God.
1 Corinthians 12:27 I am a member of Christ’s body.
Ephesians 1:3-8 I have been chosen by God and adopted as His child.
Colossians 1:13-14 I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins.
Colossians 2:9-10 I am complete in Christ.
Hebrews 4:14-16 I have direct access to the throne of grace through Jesus Christ.
Romans 8:1-2 I am free from condemnation.
Romans 8:28 I am assured that God works for my good in all circumstances.
Romans 8:31-39 I am free from any condemnation brought against me and I cannot be separated from the love of God.
2 Corinthians 1:21-22 I have been established, anointed and sealed by God.
Colossians 3:1-4 I am hidden with Christ in God.
Philippians 1:6 I am confident that God will complete the good work He started in me.
Philippians 3:20 I am a citizen of heaven.
2 Timothy 1:7 I have not been given a spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind.
1 John 5:18 I am born of God and the evil one cannot touch me.
John 15:5 I am a branch of Jesus Christ, the true vine, and a channel of His life.
John 15:16 I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit.
1 Corinthians 3:16 I am God’s temple.
2 Corinthians 5:17-21 I am a minister of reconciliation for God.
Ephesians 2:6 I am seated with Jesus Christ in the heavenly realm.
Ephesians 2:10 I am God’s workmanship.
Ephesians 3:12 I may approach God with freedom and confidence.
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.
Stepping out for God, takes having a correct perception of our identity in Christ. God may use other people to confirm what He is speaking to us. He may need to change our perception of what He is already doing, or where He is about to take us. God can use many things to change our perception, but the most important is when we apply His Word to our lives. He can change our perception to match His perception of us.
This post is part of a 28 days series on Stepping Out inspired by the #Write28Days Blogging Challenge by Anita Ojeda.
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