Sticky Labels

Posted on by Chris G Thelen

There are labels that were stuck on me a long time ago. Labels that demean and tell me I’m not good enough. Some were put there decades ago with some pretty good adhesive that makes them hard to remove. I tug at them, reading their hurtful words, trying to peel them off. The ones I manage to tear off still hurt after they’re gone, requiring time to heal.

Yet these labels do not define us as a person. They are labels stuck to us by people. Paul reminds us in Galatians 3:28, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus (NASB).” This is the label that matters — being one in Christ Jesus. This is the label that others may try to remove to make you feel lesser than them, but this is the one label you should stick to.

By You I have been sustained from my birth; You are He who took me from my mother’s womb; My praise is continually of You. – Psalm 71:6

For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well. – Psalm 139:13-14

Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created.” – Revelation 4:11

13 thoughts on “Sticky Labels”

  1. Peace comes from knowing God has made us what we are far before we even knew it. Something I’m struggling with now is labels my mind sticks on me, ones which are just as false as those others stick down. We are all one in Christ. We are all one in Him.

    Thank you.

    1. As Psalm 139 reminds us, we are uniquely crafted by God — we are special in His eyes. As you point out, we are all one in Christ. That is the only label we need. Blessings.

  4. “But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain…” 1 Cor. 15:10

    The labels of men only apply to what we were… Grace is given for our new life and identity, not only for what we now are but more so of what we are to become. The great I AM is ever at work so that we may boldly declare I am because of my great I AM.

    God chooses the weak things to confound the wise… how blessed we are to qualify for such a high call!

    Blessings
    BT

  5. Pingback: Sticky Labels – Tonya LaLonde

  6. Thank you for this, CG. I’ve felt labeled lately and it certainly has a negative effect. Questions like, “Why did you make me like this, Lord?” keep coming to mind. It looks silly to type this—a lump of clay talking to the potter like that—but it’s true. Your reminders that it’s only the labels that God gives us that REALLY matter is a good one. God’s best to you!

Comments are closed.