Next, to them, we were as grasshoppers … That could preach, right? And it has… lol

Next to them we felt like grasshoppers, and that’s what they thought, too! (Numbers 13:33 NLT)

I was reading through Number recently and the verse above from chapter 13 gripped me unlike anytime before. I often hear this verse used to highlight the children of Israel, the lack of faith in their God and the way they perceived themselves- the grasshopper mentality. Today, the text really spoke directly to an area in which I struggle; my perception of myself.

I put myself in this story for a second and realized that I too have uttered the very words the Israelites spoke over themselves centuries ago. “Next to them, I am but a grasshopper”. To take it even further, I find myself echoing Gideon’s cry from the wine press, “Pardon me, my lord, but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.” (Judges 6:15). I’ve blurted out excuses like Moses, “O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled” (Exodus 4:10). Sounds familiar?

I am not gifted enough….

spiritual enough…..

smart enough….

talented enough….

strong enough….

eloquent enough….

rich enough….

fit enough

pretty enough

popular enough….

I’m not Enough! I don’t measure up! What a lie from the enemy.

God says, “YOU. ARE. ENOUGH”!

Grasshopper LENS

1. Your perception of yourself will determine your outlook on life and your ability to slay giants. (attitude determines your altitude)

    The wrong perception of yourself will deter your progress and ability to reach your potential (promised land).

2. How you perceive yourself influences how you believe you are seen by others. (prevents healthy relationships)

    The way you think others see you is a direct reflection of the way you see yourself.

3. Your perception of yourself does not change God’s perception of you. (He sees you as a Mighty Warrior)

Your relationship with God, your connection and position in Christ, changes your perception of yourself.

When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.” (Judges 6:13).

You don’t have to have a certain background, family pedigree, social status, or ethnicity for God to call you and use you to impact the world around you, and ultimately His kingdom. You are not inferior by birth, social class, race, intelligence, education level, physical appearance, shape or size. I needed to know that truth because society screams look like this, wear this, get this figure, get these “likes”, make this amount of money, or mingle with this crowd!

You cannot change where you were born or the family you were born into, your genes, your ethnicity, race, childhood, and upbringing, but you can change the way you think about yourself. Despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us (Romans 8:37). The saying goes, “Play the cards you dealt”, (I always felt such defeat in those words). I say, “Trade the cards you dealt”.… trade them in for God’s perspective of you, His purpose, and His plans for your life and not the enemy’s. Trade them in for His word. Trade them in for the Winner’s Card; Jesus!

Adjust your Lens…

I’ve had many “next to them” moments. Next to them, is that comparison trap again. It leaves us feeling inferior and just like a grasshopper. We didn’t draw this conclusion of ourselves until we were next to those seemingly prospering above us, walking in their calling, fulfilling their purpose and living struggle free while we battle with identity issues. We measured our success based on the measuring stick of someone else’s life. Could it be that we are looking at the Giants instead of looking at our God? Could it be that we are measuring ourselves from the wrong viewpoint? Looking at the wrong thing, person or circumstance?

What if we shift our focus? 

A change of perception starts with a change of focus

Your perception of yourself is directly linked to what you are focused on. Are you tuned into God’s frequency, His word, and His thoughts towards you? Are you tuned into news feeds or social media postings? I don’t want to walk through life with a grasshopper mentality, feeling less-than and inferior to those around me. I don’t want to live with thoughts like “next to them” who am I? I want to believe what God says about me over than what the culture screams at me. I am a mighty Warrior! An Overcomer, more than a conqueror! My resolve is that I will live with the right perspective of my God and myself. I am not inferior nor superior to others, but I am SECURE and CONFIDANT in who Daddy God says I and created me to be. Will you join me?

***SHARE WITH US***

Can you relate to the grasshopper mentality? Do you have a healthy perception of yourself? Did you or do you have to adjust your lens?

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~Still Becoming~