How Do You Define Yourself?

I woke up yesterday morning feeling anxious, emotional and annoyed for what seemed like no reason at all.  I did not want to get out of bed and face this day that the Lord had made.  "Please let it be an 'ice day' as the news was predicting the night before.  I rolled over and clicked on the news in hopes my prayer was answered. But alas, no, school was on and my day must commence. I dragged myself out of bed too late for quiet time (which was needed more than usual on a day such as this) before waking the kiddos.  I managed to keep my emotions in check while hurrying 4 kids off to 3 different schools at 4 different arrival times. (crazy, I know)

When I returned home, I immediately sat down to have that quiet time.  While reading my devotional, I had the hardest time focusing! I had to stop in the middle of reading my devotional and ask God to quiet my mind and refresh my spirit right then. You see, the hustle and bustle of what needed to be done  had already grabbed hold of my mind and was invading my ability to seek Jesus wholeheartedly. God granted me peace and cleared my mind of my immediate distractions.  

However, it was blatantly clear that it was one of those days where I was going to have to choose to live beyond my feelings. I had to choose to allow God to trump my emotions.  Mother Nature and Satan were trying to wreak havoc on my heart.  But I am not defined by feelings alone, and neither are you.  Countless times yesterday I felt overwhelmed, angry, like I could cry, or like eating and eating and eating FOR NO APPARENT REASON!!!!  

In the end, I can say that God gave me the grace I needed to handle the day much better than I would have on my own.  Was I perfect?  NO!!!  None of us are ever perfect.  Whenever I felt the tension rising in me, I prayed.  I am sure I was still a little sassier than necessary at times, and I ate more than I should have in one day.  But I did not eat anything that is not on my chosen food plan.  I do not define myself by how I am feeling at any given time, I define myself by who I am in Christ Jesus.

A couple of scriptures come to mind in reflection of this day:  Psalm 139:14a "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made."  and Romans 8:5 "Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires."

Today I am not the emotional bundle I was yesterday.  Back to normal.  Still defined by who I am in Christ and thankful for his grace and mercy to get me through each and every day.  How do you define yourself?