The Bible, Pain, and Suffering

What the Bible teaches concerning pain and suffering.

This is the hard blog to write because I am certain it has great potential to be misunderstood, and also the hardest to accept. 

People often wonder why there is pain and suffering in the world.  Why does God allow people to suffer?  Why is their pain?  What is God’s will concerning pain and suffering?  What does God’s Word say concerning this topic?

Many people suffer in life with physical and emotional pain.  Pain is defined as agony, horrors, sufferings, and the pain associated with child birth.  Suffering is defined as afflictions, trials, tribulation, persecution, suffering, and trouble. It means the pressure of crushing affliction. It means troubles, hard circumstances, distress, pressure, strain, tension that comes both from within and without.  You get the picture.

1.         Why is there pain and suffering in the world?

According to the Bible pain and suffering entered into the world when sin entered.

Genesis 3:16-19 (KJV) ¹⁶ Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee. ¹⁷ And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; ¹⁸ Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; ¹⁹ In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

Romans 8:18-21 (KJV) ¹⁸ For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. ¹⁹ For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. ²⁰ For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, ²¹ Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

Prior to the original sin there wasn’t any pain or suffering.  Sin has consequences and consequences that only God controls.  The 9^th principle of Reformers Unanimous states; We lose our freedom to choose when we give in to sin. The consequence are inevitable, incalculable, and up to God.  Sometimes this is hard to remember, but you do not control the consequences of your sin, God does.  Adam and Eve did not dictate what would be the result of their sin, God did and God still does today.

Why is there pain and suffering in this world?  There is pain and suffering in this world because it is the God given consequence of the original sin of Adam and Eve.  These consequences are passed on to every person.

Romans 5:12 (KJV)¹² Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

According to the Bible pain and suffering is a common human experience.

Job 14:1-6 (KJV) ¹ Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble. ² He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not. ³ And dost thou open thine eyes upon such an one, and bringest me into judgment with thee? ⁴ Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one. ⁵ Seeing his days are determined, the number of his months are with thee, thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass; ⁶ Turn from him, that he may rest, till he shall accomplish, as an hireling, his day.

Psalm 116:3 (KJV) ³ The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow.
Jeremiah 10:19 (KJV) ¹⁹ Woe is me for my hurt! my wound is grievous: but I said, Truly this is a grief, and I must bear it.
Jeremiah 4:19 (KJV) ¹⁹ My bowels, my bowels! I am pained at my very heart; my heart maketh a noise in me; I cannot hold my peace, because thou hast heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war.
Jeremiah 15:18 (KJV) ¹⁸ Why is my pain perpetual, and my wound incurable, which refuseth to be healed? wilt thou be altogether unto me as a liar, and as waters that fail?
Psalm 55:4 (KJV) ⁴ My heart is sore pained within me: and the terrors of death are fallen upon me.
Psalm 48:6 (KJV) ⁶ Fear took hold upon them there, and pain, as of a woman in travail.
Isaiah 26:17 (KJV) ¹⁷ Like as a woman with child, that draweth near the time of her delivery, is in pain, and crieth out in her pangs; so have we been in thy sight, O LORD.

As you can clearly see in Scripture, pain and suffering is a direct result of original sin and is a common human experience for all of mankind.

2.         What is God’s will concerning pain and suffering?

According to the Bible the wicked will suffer.

Job 15:20 (KJV) ²⁰ The wicked man travaileth with pain all his days, and the number of years is hidden to the oppressor.
Jeremiah 30:23 (KJV) ²³ Behold, the whirlwind of the LORD goeth forth with fury, a continuing whirlwind: it shall fall with pain upon the head of the wicked.
Romans 8:22 (KJV) ²² For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

According to the Bible the Godly will suffer.

1 Peter 3:17 (KJV) ¹⁷ For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.
1 Peter 4:19 (KJV) ¹⁹ Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

These verses clearly state that for some it is the will of God to suffer and that it is better for the suffering to be because it is God’s will than our own poor choices.

Acts 9:16 (KJV) ¹⁶ For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.
Acts 14:22 (KJV) ²² Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
2 Corinthians 11:27 (KJV) ²⁷ In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
Philippians 1:29 (KJV) ²⁹ For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;
1 Thessalonians 3:4 (KJV) ⁴ For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.

I know we want to believe that coming to Jesus Christ will remove all pain and suffering, but that just isn’t the case and it isn’t the will of God.  The Bible clearly teaches that both the wicked and the Godly shall suffer and that it is better for the suffering to be the will of God.

3.         What instruction does the Bible teach concerning our pain and suffering?

First of all, our response to the pain and suffering we endure in life matters to God.  

According to the Bible there are spiritual benefits of victoriously enduring pain and suffering.

1 Peter 5:10 (KJV) ¹⁰ But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

In this verse God promises several spiritual blessings to those who endure victoriously.

·         Perfect:            Complete thoroughly, to prepare, to restore, to repair.
·         Stablish:          To turn and strengthen in a right direction.
·         Strengthen:      In spiritual power.
·         Settle:              To lay the foundation

Wow, God is able through suffering to repair our imperfections, to turn us around and head us in a right direction, to give us the spiritual power to continue, and lays the foundation for the remainder of our lives.  Does pain and suffering have purpose in the life of a dedicated Christian?  You better believe it!

According to the Bible there are eternal rewards for those who victoriously endure pain and suffering.

2 Timothy 2:12 (KJV) ¹² If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:
James 1:12 (KJV) ¹² Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
1 Peter 5:4 (KJV) ⁴ And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
Revelation 2:10 (KJV) ¹⁰ Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

Isn’t God good?  The suffering we endure because of the sin of man God, through Jesus Christ, rewards those who endure it for His sake! 

4.         Three responses to pain and suffering found in Scripture.

Worship:
This was the response of a man who suffered immensely.  Job continued to live for God, to worship God, and to praise God.  All of us during a time of pain and suffering would do well to read the book of Job.

Doubt:

Jeremiah 15:18 (KJV) ¹⁸ Why is my pain perpetual, and my wound incurable, which refuseth to be healed? wilt thou be altogether unto me as a liar, and as waters that fail?

Jeremiah, on the other hand, doubted God.  Please note that despite Jeremiah’s doubt, he did continue to serve the Lord with the remainder of his life.  Many people who are living for God have moments of doubt as did Jeremiah.  The lesson learned here is to continue serving, believing, and loving our God.

Curse:
Revelation 16:11 (KJV) ¹¹ And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.

Many people choose this response to their pain.  Let us blame God, curse God, reject God and continue living our lives as we so choose. 

Conclusion:

You are never alone in your pain and suffering.  The Bible teaches us that Jesus Christ also suffered.
Hebrews 5:8 (KJV) ⁸ Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
Hebrews 2:10 (KJV) ¹⁰ For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

Not only did Jesus suffer and suffer for us on the cross, but He also understands our feelings as we are tried, tempted, and suffering.
Hebrews 4:15 (KJV) ¹⁵ For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
It is important that you face the pain and suffering you are experiencing or have experienced from a right and Godly perspective.  God does know.  God does care.  God can forgive. God can heal.  God can enable you to endure. God loves you.

Three Reasons Why People Drink and Drug: Part 3

There are millions of reasons why people do what they do. However, most of the reasons why people drink and take drugs can be traced back to one of these three general reasons.

1. People Pleasing: Trying to fit in and gain the acceptance of others.

2. Reality Releasing: Trying to escape the pressure and reality of life.

3. Hurt Halting: Trying to stop the pain in our life and heart.

The third reason why people drink or drug is simply to stop the pain.  The first pain is physical pain.  Have you have ever had a toothache?  All you can think about is getting the pain to stop.  The same is true with many types of pain people have.  It can be pain from an accident, surgery, or injury.  Many people become addicted to prescription medications because their physical pain is unbearable.  Some will also combine the prescription painkillers with alcohol. 

Another type of pain that leads to drug and alcohol addiction is emotional pain.  This pain is caused by life events.  It can be the death of a loved one, the loss of a job, divorce, or a disabling accident.  It can pain of failure or rejection or loss as well.  This emotional pain is as real and sometimes more disabling than physical pain.   

...to be continued.

Three Reasons Why People Drink and Drug: Part 2

Three Reasons Why People Drink and Drug: Part II.

 

There are millions of reasons why people do what they do. However, most of the reasons why people drink and take drugs can be traced back to one of these three general reasons.

1. People Pleasing: Trying to fit in and gain the acceptance of others.

2. Reality Releasing: Trying to escape the pressure and reality of life.

3. Hurt Halting: Trying to stop the pain in our life and heart.
One of the basic reasons for alcohol consumption or drug usage is to escape the pressure or reality of life. Our lives are filled with stress and disappointments.  Perhaps an overbearing boss or co-worker, a bad marriage, trouble with the kids, or financial problems weigh us down. We simply desire to relax, to escape from our problems, and to blow off some steam.  Once again the answer found in our flesh and in this old world are insufficient.  They do not work long term.  Sure, for a brief moment your stress is gone, but when the alcohol, drug, or other coping mechanism ends, the reality returns. Running from one's responsibility doesn't solve the problem, and in most instances makes it worse.  The reality of our life isn't changed by running to alcohol, drugs, or some other man-made solution.

As difficult as it may be to understand, God allows struggles into our lives.  He uses these struggles to improve our character.  It is improved character that improves our circumstances or helps us to daily cope with them.
 
Romans 5:3-5 (KJV) ³ And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; ⁴ And patience, experience; and experience, hope: ⁵ And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
What is God promising?  God is promising that our tribulation (problems) produces the following characteristics in our life.  First is patience.  Patience is an ability to endure.  Not running from our problems, but facing them allows God to use the problem to produce stronger character in our lives.  It gives God the opportunity to be God in our lives. 

Secondly, God is promising that our patience (endurance, tackling our problems) produces endurance.  What is endurance?  Endurance is the process of learning to trust God to see us through the problems and circumstances in our lives.  How often do we try to tackle our problems in our own strength and our own intellect?  Endurance is trusting God in the circumstances of our lives.

Thirdly, God is promising that our patience produces endurance, and our endurance produces hope.  Hope is to anticipate with pleasure, to have faith.  We can have faith that God is going to work everything out for our good and His glory.

Romans 8:28 (KJV) ²⁸ And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Please note that God is not promising that all problems will disappear if we face, trust, and have faith.  He is promising that He will work them together for your good. 

Let me illustrate. There was an old preacher that bowed his knee in prayer and prayed.  Father, you know I hate flour, oh I hate the taste of flour.  I hate baking soda, Lord you know I hate baking soda.  Lord, I don't like the taste of baking powder or salt or even buttermilk.  Lord, but when You mix them all together, and bake them in the oven; out comes homemade buttermilk biscuits.  Thank you Lord that you are mixing all the ingredients of my life together to make delicious homemade buttermilk biscuits.

Face your problems, trust God that He is working, and have faith that God will work it all out for your good.  If you notice in Romans 5:5, God speaks of the Holy Spirit of God filling our hearts with the love of God.  This the end result of facing, trusting, and having faith in God is improved character.   Our character is improved and our hearts are filled with God's love.

Each of us have a choice when the pressures and circumstances of live are unpleasant.  Do we seek our own solution or God's? 

Three Reasons Why People Drink and Drug: Part 1

Three Reasons Why People Drink and Drug: Part I.

There are millions of reasons why people do what they do.  However, most of the reasons why people drink and take drugs can be traced back to one of these three general reasons.

                                1.  People Pleasing:  Trying to fit in and gain the acceptance of others.

                                2.  Reality Releasing:  Trying to escape the pressure and reality of life.

                                3.  Hurt Halting:  Trying to stop the pain in our life and heart.

Many people a life of addiction started with simply having a need to be loved and accepted.  This need was exposed when someone invited them to participate in a social event where a substance or alcohol was introduced to them.  Their need of friendship, acceptance, and love led them to do something they perhaps did not want to do or even something they knew was wrong.  The psychological basis for temptation is legitimate needs.  These needs seem to be met by the drug or drink.  Many people believe taking drugs or drinking helps them socially.  They believe it enables them to thrive with their peers, to be accepted by them.    

The question we need to ask ourselves is why?  Why do we proceed in doing something our own bodies and natural taste rejected?  Why do we do something that our own parents may have taught us was wrong?  Why do we do something that we know may have dire consequences? Why do we feel this overwhelming need to be love and accepted by our peers?  Why do we believe it is necessary to drink or drug to fit in?  Why do we believe the only way to have fun is to participate in drinking or drugging? Perhaps the question that should be asked is:  Where do we turn to have our needs met?  I believe the answer is found not in the world, our flesh, or the devil, but in our relationship to Jesus Christ.

This is what Jesus promised in Scripture.  He promised to meet our need.  Philippians 4:19 (KJV) 19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Please notice the promise of God, my God shall supply all your need.  Would this include psychological needs such as love and acceptance?  Yes! The Word of God provides the answer to the need of love and acceptance and that provision is Jesus Christ.   
Colossians 1:19-23 (KJV) ¹⁹ For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; ²⁰ And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. ²¹ And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled ²² In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: ²³ If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;

Notice in the above passage that we were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works.  Our sins separated us from the love of God.  Isaiah 59:2 (KJV) ² But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.  It is this void or emptiness in our lives that we seek to fill.  This need is internal.  It is in our hearts.  It cannot be filled externally.  All of the love and acceptance of friends in the world cannot fill this void.  The only way this void and emptiness can be filled is through Jesus Christ.  Know Jesus, know love and acceptance; no Jesus, no love and acceptance!  Please note in Colossians that it is Jesus blood, His death that can reconcile (fully restore) our relationship to our God.  Once our relationship to God is restored internally we are whole, complete.  The love of God fills our hearts.  Romans 5:5 (KJV) 5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. Not only does God fill and overflow the heart of the Christian, but He also promises that nothing can separate us from His love.  Romans 8:37-39 (KJV) ³⁷ Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. ³⁸ For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, ³⁹ Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The question you must answer is: Are you going to allow Jesus Christ to meet these needs or are you going to succumb to the temptation to turn to the world, the flesh, and the devil to meet your need?

HOPE!

Hope

A Quality of those Living the Victorious Christian Life.

There is a definite contrast in the thinking and attitude of those living a victorious Christian life and those living in bondage, and addiction.  People living in victory have hope, and optimism. They know their identity in Jesus Christ.  People in bondage, on the other hand, feel a sense of hopelessness.  They operate under the assumption there is no escape from their addiction. They believe: I am a helpless, incurable addict who is never going to change.  It is this lie of Satan that keeps people in bondage.  If one continues to believe their situation is without hope, they will not change. Victory begins with a change in your thinking and attitude from hopelessness to hope.

This hope begins with our salvation.

At RU, we call this the first step. You can learn more about this first step by visiting our website: http://www.reformude.com/first-step.html  It is at the time of salvation when a person changes. 

This hope is based on God’s promise of victory eternally.

1 Corinthians 15:55-57 (KJV) ⁵⁵ O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? ⁵⁶ The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. ⁵⁷ But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

This victory is eternal.  This victory is in Jesus Christ.  This victory is a promise of God.

John 3:16 (KJV) ¹⁶ For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
1 John 5:13 (KJV) ¹³ These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

Most Christians rejoice, understand, and praise God for their salvation.  They realize their righteousness was insufficient and their salvation was by God’s grace.  They know when this life ends, victory is won and that the victory was won when Jesus Christ, God’s Son, died, was buried and rose again.  They know they have eternal life in Heaven with their Lord and Savior.

This hope is based on God’s promise of victory now.

1 Corinthians 15:57 (KJV) ⁵⁷ But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 8:37 (KJV) ³⁷ Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
2 Corinthians 2:14 (KJV) ¹⁴ Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.

The Bible is promising victory here and now through Jesus Christ.  Regardless of our present condition or circumstance, Jesus Christ provides victory.  It is already won!  Our beliefs determine the difference between victory and defeat.  Choose today to start believing that victory is won. 

Many times people see God giving victory to others, but erroneously believe God will not do it for them.  Yes He will!  God is not a respecter of persons.  What God promises for one, He promises for all.

Acts 10:34 (KJV) ³⁴ Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:

If a person believes the Christian life will not work, freedom is not possible.  As long as they believe this false teaching, it will not work for them. 

Our society has been sold a bill of goods that the problems of the alcoholic, drug addict, anorexic, bulimic, or sexual addict are so different from each other that each needs some specialist to understand the problem.   Granted, each of these addictions involves many different factors, but because the behavior is different we wrongly believe each problem is unique and requires a different answer.  All addiction and destructive behavior have a root cause.  All can be traced to the human sin nature and a work of the flesh.  But, regardless of what is keeping you in bondage, only the truth can make you free.    Our RU slogan is: Only the Truth makes Free.  It is based on John 8:32.

John 8:32 (KJV) ³² And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Learning the truth and learning to implement the truth into our lives will set us free.  Does the truth work?  It is promised in God’s Word.  It is this faith in the promises of God that gives each Christian hope. 

                We are more than conquerors.

                We have been given the victory.

                We should be full of hope.

Romans 15:13 (KJV) ¹³ Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
John 14:20 (KJV) ²⁰ At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.

The One Thing You Need

One Thing You Need

Luke 10:38-42 (KJV) ³⁸ Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. ³⁹ And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. ⁴⁰ But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. ⁴¹ And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: ⁴² But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

Here nestled in Scripture is the story of Jesus visit to the home of Martha in Bethany.  Bethany is the village on the side of the Mt. of Olives where Lazarus had died, was buried, and brought back to life by Jesus.  The Mount of Olives is the sight of the ascension of Jesus and where He will return. 

Martha, Mary and Lazarus were siblings who lived here in Bethany.  All were disciples of the Lord and at one time or another had "sat as His feet".  This day as Jesus arrived, Martha immediately began to prepare to meet and exceed the needs of her deified guest.  I can only imagine the great lengths we at the Shenenberger home would go to if Jesus were our guest.  Certainly Martha desired the very best for her Lord. 

The unusual thing is not Martha being overwhelmed in preparation for her guest (we all would be), but that her sister Mary would so casually forsake all to simply sit at Jesus feet.  Martha reaction is totally human as all of us would wonder why she was left doing all of the work while her sister simply sat with the other disciples at the feet of Jesus. 

Jesus answer to Martha's question concerning Mary reveals a great truth all would be wise to emulate.  Jesus proclaims that what Mary did was "needful".  It was vital, important, and necessary.  It reveals a grand truth.

WE NEED JESUS!  We need to place as our top priority our relationship with Him.  What Jesus is instructing Martha to do is to slow down, sit down, and listen up. 

My friend, the same admonition given by Jesus to Martha applies in our busied world today.  We need Jesus!  We need time spent at his feet.  We need time in His Word.  We need time in His church.  We need time in conversation with Him. 

How much do you value your relationship with Christ?  Is your relationship with Christ growing, thriving, alive and dynamic?  It can be.  Make it a top priority today.  Make it the One Thing You Need!

A New Identity

   A New Identity!

Our behavior is consistent with our beliefs.  People will not always live what they profess, but they will live what they believe. For many struggling with addictions the problem is not only their addiction, but also their misbeliefs.  They commonly believe what I call a "failure" identity.  They have been told and believe that once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic ( The Big Book (from Alcoholics Anonymous) states that once a person is an alcoholic, they are always an alcoholic, but does not define what is meant by the term "alcoholic") and once an addict, always an addict. Those stuggling with an addiction base their identity on their addiction.  They may believe they can stop using, but they do not believe they can stop being.  Is this true?  Well it can be, but doesn't have to be. You don't have to be an alcoholic, a drug addict, etc.  You can be free!  You can be changed! You do not need to accept a "failure" identity. You can have a new identity. A new identity as a child of God!

John 1:12 ¹² But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Clearly the Word of God states that to those who believe and receive Jesus Christ as Savior, God has made them his child. 
Galatians 3:26 ²⁶ For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

In John chapter 3, Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews came and asked Jesus a question about eternal life.  Here is Jesus answer:
John 3:5-7 ⁵ Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. ⁶ That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. ⁷ Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
When one receives Jesus Christ into their lives as Savior, Jesus teaches they are born again.  The term born again is defined as regenerated or regened.  One who has been born of the Spirit is regened with the supernatural nature of God.  Literally, your body becomes the residence of the God's Holy Spirt.
1 Corinthians 3:16 ¹⁶ Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ¹⁹ What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? ²⁰ For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
Please note what the following verse is teaching:
John 14:20 ²⁰ At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.

Most Christians understand that Jesus Christ is in them, but do they understand that they are in Christ?  If you are in Christ, and Christ in you, you have everything available to you that you need to live the Christian life.  You do not need to worry about who you are or who others think you are.  What could you possilbly achieve or possess, or what status could you attain, to give you a better identity then being in Christ.  There is no greater worth or identity than being God's child, than being in Christ.

The question remains, What is your identity?  Who are you?    Are you a child of God?  Are you born again?  Is God's Holy Spirit living within you?  Are you in Christ and Christ in you?  You do not need a "failure" identity. You can have a new identity in Christ Jesus!

For more information concerning the First Step to Freedom visit our website:  http://www.reformude.com/first-step.html