As long as I can remember, I have worn a label I imprinted on myself at a very young age. Addict… The drug of choice may have changed over the years — alcohol, food…, but the label remained the same.
I exhaled a huge sigh of relief when my next online Bible study was revealed as Limitless Life: You Are More Than Your Past When God Holds Your Future by Pastor Derwin Gray.
I crave being more than my past. My dream is to be free of the prison cell addictions have kept me locked away in.
Pastor Gray defines a label so perfectly:
A label is a soul-tattoo that is ingrained deep in our hearts, so much so that it determines how we see ourselves. And how we see ourselves determines how we live.
A soul-tattoo… This is terminology I can so relate to. I have a few tattoos on my skin. As difficult and painful as I have heard they are to remove, I don’t think it compares to the work that goes into changing a soul-tattoo. Only one artist is capable of transforming this type of life altering tattoo…
He goes on to describe the beautiful labels Jesus wants to tattoo on our hearts and what they can mean to our lives:
The more you believe in Him and the labels He has given you, the brighter the colors of these new labels become. We begin to see ourselves as His Father sees us. And when that happens, everything changes. Life becomes limitless.
I know deep in my heart He has labeled me FREE. The ADDICT label I hang onto is self-inflicted and it’s time to let go of it and everything it has done to my life.
I remember the first time this concept of true freedom through Christ was brought to my attention. A dear friend asked if she could come over and spend some time praying for me. I will never forget her looking in my eyes and saying, “Do you want to be free?”
My immediate thought, holding tight to my addict label — Is that a thing? Can I really be free?
It has been many years since I have touched drugs or alcohol. I was 13 when I first earned the title of addict thanks to these substances, or as Pastor Gray so adequately tags them — idols. Unfortunately, when I gave them up all those years ago, I substituted food in their place. Food has become my idol, leaving me with that ugly label I can’t seem to completely lose…
Thankfully, the Addict tattoo I’ve worn for far too long is starting to fade. Just as the hideous barbed wire peace sign tattoo on my back finally faded away and was replaced with bright, colorful daisies, my soul-tattoo is changing. The word Free in a beautiful chain of flowers is being imprinted over that ugly barbed wire word Addict on my heart.
We can find true freedom and replace all the labels that no longer serve us. It may take some work. They may fade before disappearing, but I have faith all of my barbed wire will one day be completely gone…
Now the Lord is the Spirit,
and where the Spirit of the Lord is,
there is freedom.
~2 Corinthians 3:17
Praying with you, Candace. You are a precious daughter of God.
Thanks for the prayers and encouragement, LuAnn! It’s always great to see you :).
Oh, I love this. Walking in freedom is a process. Jesus bless you on your journey!
I’m beginning to think it is a lifelong journey. We have to continue to accept it every day. Thank you, Laura!
Candace, this just has to be the most beautiful post I’ve ever read. I can’t tell you how much I relate to the whole “soul tattoo” issue. I often talk down to myself internally so much and I hate that. I am more aware of it now but I’ve done this since I was a child and it has ended up making me make choices that haven’t served me well.
I am a child of Christ and know that’s not how He sees me but somehow this tendency just won’t go away. Thank you for sharing this. I have a new perspective now and I know God led me to read this.
I am praying for you. You are stronger than you will ever know! I learned at 18 that food isn’t love and I tried so long to make it be when I lost the loves in my life. Eleven years later I can truly say that revelation in itself was possibly my biggest blessing with addiction freedom.
You can do this! If you don’t mind I’d love to share this post in my Fab Finds Friday post:) It’s wonderful!:)
Praying for you,
Heather
I would be honored for you to share this post, Heather! I always love your Fab Finds Fridays :). Your story is so inspirational and fills me with hope about my food issues. Thank you so much for your continued support!
It amazes me sometimes how I use self-talk to get myself down. I’m trying to remember that Jesus would never speak to me that way, and I wouldn’t speak to a friend that way, so why do it to myself? Beautiful words!
Great advice, Heather! You are so right – Jesus would never say the ugly things to us that we say to ourselves. I need to remind myself of that often! Thank you.
Thank you so much for sharing your story. I received that label around 12 or 13 as well, but am not as far out of it as you are. So encouraging to read that the labels are fading and being replaced by FREE.
Praying that you will release that label, Kelly! I know how hard it is and can completely relate. It’s sad how we can spend our lives stuck in a label we received as a kid. We can overcome them though! Don’t give up :).
Candace, this has got to be one of my favorite of your blog writings! I think you need to write a book! I love how you said there is only one artist capable of transforming this type of life altering tattoo. That is incredible! I am so thankful that you are able to say that that soul tattoo is starting to fade! God is good & I know you are gonna make it!
You are always so loving and encouraging, Tonya! I greatly appreciate you, my friend. Writing a book is definitely a dream I plan to see come true one day :). Those soul-tattoos are deep and strong, but I have faith that I will someday be free!
Thank you for sharing your story! I love that your Addict label is fading, replaced by FREE! I have worn this label for far too long also, but know that with God’s help that He will transform those soul tattoos I’ve given myself to something beautiful!
He absolutely will, Christina! The Addict label is a tough one to rid ourselves of, especially when we have carried it for a large part of our lives. It is possible though! Praying for you :).
I love it. You write so beautifully. I pray for you and your healing. I know we all label ourselves and hopefully we all will find freedom in God.
Thank you so much for your prayers and sweet encouragement, Cathy! I agree – we all have self-inflicted labels. There is freedom in Christ, but sometimes it is hard to truly let go and have the complete faith it takes to rid ourselves of them. We are all a work in progress :).
Beautifully said! Thank you for sharing…
Thanks, Patrice! Writing this was incredibly therapeutic for me. I’m loving our new study already.
You’ve hit the nail on the head for me too, Candace. Food addict is what I have labeled myself all of my life! And I am really good at it! Thank you for so beautifully sharing your story. Love your writing! Freedom doesn’t seem so far away now that we are in this study! Praise The Lord! We are on our way to freedom!!!!
Hi Mary! I truly believe food is one of the toughest addictions to overcome. I have fought it my whole life as well. This study is going to be great for us, my friend. Thanks for your encouragement!
I like your reminder that tattoos fade, whether they are the ones we have put on or not. I liken renewing your mind as a spirit tattoo refresher. I can too easily forget what Christ has newly labeled me as a too quickly remember my past. That’s backwards and not the life that Christ died to give me or anyone. So as I with God’s help and grace allow the past labels to fade, embrace the newness of life that Christ has for His people 🙂
I love your thought – “I liken renewing your mind as a spirit tattoo refresher.” What an awesome way to look at working towards renewing our minds! It is a statement full of hope. Forgetting the labels Christ blessed us with is easy to do. I’m with you there. I think awareness is the first step and we are definitely there :).
Soul tattoo – what an amazing concept! I think we all have them, whether we realize it or not. I love it when you said, “Only one artist is capable of transforming this type of life altering tattoo…” Amen! I need to stop trying to do things on my own and go to the One who is more than able to do everything that needs being done!
I think we are all more likely to try things on our own before we go to Him, Lisa. I can completely relate. It makes life so much harder, but I can’t seem to get in the habit of trusting Him first. It is definitely something to strive for as it is a life-changing habit. I love the soul-tattoo concept too. As soon as I read it, I knew this book was going to be a great asset to my life :).
Thank you Candace amazing !!!
Hi Camille! Thank you for visiting, my friend. I hope you are enjoying the study so far. I really think it is going to be one of my favorites.
awww, Candace, this post reminds me of this song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuJWQzjfU3o&feature=kp
I love that song, Roaen! It does go perfectly with this post :). Thanks for the link and reminder!
I totally relate to you…your addictions and how we replace one addiction for another…praying your addiction from food gets replaced with being addicted to God. The desire for Him should over ride all other desires. It’s a battle but we are a work in progress, we just need to sit under His Word, let praises be uttered from our lips and simply stay constantly in communication with Him…and the Holy Spirit will do the rest…
Thank you for the prayers, Sabrina! Staying in constant communication with Him is excellent advice. When I remember to spend time with Him throughout the day, it helps me tremendously :).
Good for you for continuing to move forward! We are all a work in progress, always! 🙂 Beautiful blog you have!
Thank you! We really do have to work on some type of issue our entire lives. No one is immune. So glad to have you here :).
You are amazing, Candace! I will be standing in line waiting for your book. I am so glad that you are letting go of the tattoo ADDICT and realizing that you are FREE! 🙂
No line for you, Kim! It will be autographed and delivered to your front door ;). Thanks so much for your continued love and support, my friend. Praying for your family!
I love this post. It’s amazing how the negative thinking patterns that start when we are young can carry over into our adulthood. Sometimes without even realizing it. Thanks for the reminder of hope that things can be different, we can change and be free! Blessings to you!
It is so difficult to lose those thinking patterns. I agree – so often, we don’t even realize it is happening. They are just imbedded in us. We most definitely “can change and be free” :)! Blessings to you as well, Kendra!
2 Corinthians 3:17 is one of my very favorite verses! Your words on this topic were so refreshing and encouraging! The Lord is glorified and He delights when we cast off our chains and our “barbed wire” to run to Him! May He bless you on your journey!
Thanks for your encouragement, Sybil! That is a wonderful verse, so full of hope. Blessings to you :)!
Praise God for the Holy Spirit that sets us free! Thanks for sharing this post with us, Candace. I appreciate your honesty. And, I appreciate you letting us know how the Spirit is working within you.
The Holy Spirit is the greatest gift we will ever receive. I’m incredibly grateful for how God is working on me these days. Thank you for visiting, Katie :)!
This is a beautiful way to look at it Candace. I never thought of the baggage I carry as soul tattoos but it makes so much sense. Thanks for the new prospective.
I love the term soul-tattoo! It really does describe labels so perfectly. Thanks for stopping by, Crystal!
Hi mercies are new every morning, amen! FREEDOM
Amen to Freedom, Lindsay! What an amazing gift it is :).
I pray this Bible Study fills your heart with hope and helps you see yourself as the Father sees you indeed. That is a great challenge for all of us. May He give us His eyes so we can truly see. Hugs!
Hugs to you, Gisela! It has been an awesome study. I highly recommend the book! It is definitely challenging me :).
Candace, I love reading your posts. I never thought about having soul tatoos, but I love the concept. I think it’s true, we do place labels on our soul that are hard to get rid of.
Thank you, Sonya! I love the concept of soul-tattoos also. It is a term I will use forever more :). They are hard to get rid of, but I’m finally learning it’s not impossible!