Moussa Mikhail:
00:00:00
In this episode, I'm going to talk about what is self
Moussa Mikhail:
00:00:04
concept and why our self concept runs what we do, say, and think.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:00:09
We're going to break down the four facets of self concept, which
Moussa Mikhail:
00:00:13
include self image, self esteem, self identity, and social identity.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:00:19
And how each facet influences our life when anchored in God's truth
Moussa Mikhail:
00:00:23
and how it influences our life when it's not anchored in God's truth.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:00:27
Stay tuned for the episode.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:00:29
Welcome to Renew and Transform, a podcast to renew and transform your
Moussa Mikhail:
00:00:34
mind and cultivate your leadership to live a life worthy of your calling.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:00:38
I'm your host Moussa Mikhail.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:00:40
Let the renewal begin.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:00:44
Welcome back to Renew and Transform.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:00:47
Thank you so much for tuning in.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:00:48
Please remember to subscribe, follow, leave a rating review and
Moussa Mikhail:
00:00:52
share this podcast with someone you feel would get value out of it.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:00:57
And if you feel called, please check out the donor box link and give to the
Moussa Mikhail:
00:01:00
production monthly or reoccurringly
Moussa Mikhail:
00:01:03
These funds are monumental in the production and getting this message to as
Moussa Mikhail:
00:01:08
many people as possible around the world.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:01:10
And we're going to talk about self concept, and this is such a deep topic.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:01:15
our self concept, our self identity really is the fabric in which we run our life.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:01:21
How we see ourselves directly impacts what we do, what we say, and what we think.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:01:26
It affects how we see the world.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:01:28
It affects how we see others.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:01:30
It affects every relationship in our life.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:01:32
And it begins with how we see ourself.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:01:35
A lot of times how we see ourself is much different than the
Moussa Mikhail:
00:01:39
biblical truth of how God sees us.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:01:42
Now, when I was navigating life, I was really unaware of this, and I was
Moussa Mikhail:
00:01:46
always seeking validation from women, from lust and intimate relationships,
Moussa Mikhail:
00:01:53
and that's how I kept myself feeling decent about myself, because I
Moussa Mikhail:
00:01:55
didn't really know and understand the truth about God's word.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:02:00
I wasn't really familiar with it.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:02:01
I didn't have a relationship with Jesus at this time.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:02:03
And I was always seeking that validation from other women.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:02:07
And it was just my constant pursuit and it was never satisfying.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:02:11
It was never fulfilling because I knew I would not be able to love
Moussa Mikhail:
00:02:14
someone if I didn't truly love myself, and I couldn't love myself
Moussa Mikhail:
00:02:19
if I didn't truly have a self concept structured around the way God loves me.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:02:25
If I don't understand how I'm loved by Him, I can't love myself,
Moussa Mikhail:
00:02:29
therefore I can't love others to the degree in which I'm capable of.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:02:33
As I grew in my faith, I knew I would never feel whole if I was
Moussa Mikhail:
00:02:38
using validation from others and seeking relationships as my source.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:02:44
And I recognized I would only feel whole and complete
Moussa Mikhail:
00:02:48
when I can see myself through the eyes of Christ and how he sees me.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:02:52
And when I see myself in a Godly anchored perspective.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:02:57
So what is self concept?
Moussa Mikhail:
00:02:59
Our self concept It's the whole picture of how we see ourselves
Moussa Mikhail:
00:03:04
in our unconscious mind.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:03:06
And it is comprised of four major facets.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:03:10
Number one, our self image.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:03:13
Number two, our self esteem.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:03:15
Number three, our self identity.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:03:19
And number four, our social identity.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:03:21
Let's break down these four facets and compare what a faith
Moussa Mikhail:
00:03:25
centered, anchored perspective looks like, and what a world centered,
Moussa Mikhail:
00:03:30
unanchored perspective looks like.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:03:33
Number one, self image.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:03:36
Self image refers to how we see ourselves, including
Moussa Mikhail:
00:03:39
This includes our personal appearance, our physical traits and abilities and skills.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:03:45
It is the mental picture we have for ourself, the image we have about ourself.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:03:51
And the image that we assume others perceive us as Okay, what does an
Moussa Mikhail:
00:03:57
unanchored self image look like?
Moussa Mikhail:
00:03:59
It is influenced by societal standards, which leads to comparison,
Moussa Mikhail:
00:04:04
self doubt, and insecurity.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:04:07
Now, I'm sure you could resonate with this, and when we're so focused on
Moussa Mikhail:
00:04:11
what society believes about us, how society sees us, we get diluted in this.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:04:16
We get absorbed in this, where we are just comparing each other, and in this
Moussa Mikhail:
00:04:20
day and age it's so easy to do that.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:04:23
With social media where we only see the highlight reels of people's
Moussa Mikhail:
00:04:25
lives, people's best face, we don't get to see the nitty and gritty.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:04:29
There's not a lot of conversation sometimes about the real harshness
Moussa Mikhail:
00:04:33
in someone's life, the real struggles, the real strife.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:04:37
And we always think by the society standards that we're somewhat
Moussa Mikhail:
00:04:41
behind where we're supposed to be.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:04:43
We're not enough.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:04:44
We're not good enough.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:04:45
We don't look good enough.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:04:45
We don't perform enough.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:04:47
We need more makeup.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:04:48
We need more botox.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:04:49
We need more plastic parts.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:04:52
We start to feel insecure and we start to doubt ourselves.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:04:55
We start to doubt our abilities.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:04:56
We start to doubt our appearance.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:04:58
We start to lose the sense of the gift God gave us, or gifts God gave us.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:05:04
We can't see ourselves clearly now.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:05:07
We see this huge cloud over ourselves, a foggy state.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:05:10
It's like a window with a bunch of mud on it.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:05:14
You can't really see out and you can't really get light in.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:05:17
So we walk around with muddied windows.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:05:20
Not really knowing what we're capable of and never realizing our true gifts.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:05:26
Then on the flip side, an anchored self image.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:05:28
What does the Bible say?
Moussa Mikhail:
00:05:30
What does God say about our self image?
Moussa Mikhail:
00:05:33
When we can see ourself and view ourself the way God views us, and when we truly
Moussa Mikhail:
00:05:40
identify that aspect of the Bible where, and we can truly resonate that We were
Moussa Mikhail:
00:05:45
created in God's image, not society's image, not the image you think you should
Moussa Mikhail:
00:05:51
look like, not what Hollywood says you should look like, not what commercials
Moussa Mikhail:
00:05:55
say you need, not what media says Is beautiful or worthy or powerful or
Moussa Mikhail:
00:06:01
intelligent or successful, but you were made in God's image worthy and valuable
Moussa Mikhail:
00:06:07
because God created you that way.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:06:10
We are set apart from all other species.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:06:14
You have gifts, you have endowments, you have consciousness, you have a
Moussa Mikhail:
00:06:18
thinking mind that's able to create more than you can even imagine.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:06:24
And when it's truly anchored in that, and you're truly anchored in the
Moussa Mikhail:
00:06:27
Word, you will go day to day reminding yourself, I'm made in God's image.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:06:34
I am worthy.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:06:35
I am valuable.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:06:36
No matter what I feel right now, and no matter what I've been
Moussa Mikhail:
00:06:39
comparing myself to, I am valuable.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:06:42
Number two.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:06:43
Self esteem.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:06:45
What is self esteem?
Moussa Mikhail:
00:06:46
This involves the value and worth we people assign to ourselves.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:06:52
Again, it's greatly contributed by our self image.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:06:56
These go hand in hand.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:06:56
Remember, our self concept is made up of four things.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:06:59
The second being self esteem, how we value ourselves.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:07:02
It reflects how much you appreciate and like yourself.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:07:06
Now, the truth is it's hard to like others.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:07:08
It's hard to express love to someone else if you really don't value yourself.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:07:15
If you don't find value in yourself, you can't express that goodness
Moussa Mikhail:
00:07:21
inside you can't represent God's love if you have no love for yourself.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:07:27
Our self esteem is greatly influenced by our achievements, feedback we
Moussa Mikhail:
00:07:32
get from other people, or just our personal beliefs about who we are,
Moussa Mikhail:
00:07:36
who we were led to believe who we are.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:07:38
Again, self esteem is how you value yourself and your worth.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:07:43
You're not able to love.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:07:45
You're only able to express love to someone else to the degree
Moussa Mikhail:
00:07:49
you feel love for yourself.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:07:51
And how do you do that?
Moussa Mikhail:
00:07:53
What does an anchored self esteem look like?
Moussa Mikhail:
00:07:56
It's rooted in God's unconditional love, leading to true confidence and security.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:08:03
When you're able to value yourself as God's most prized possession, when you
Moussa Mikhail:
00:08:09
see that worth, when you see that God's love is truly unconditional, and you get
Moussa Mikhail:
00:08:15
a sense of that true, unconditional love, it is not based on your achievement,
Moussa Mikhail:
00:08:20
it's not based on your mistakes, it's not based on your sins, your shame that you've
Moussa Mikhail:
00:08:24
been carrying, it's not based on whatever anyone's thought about you or said
Moussa Mikhail:
00:08:28
about you, but it's truly unconditional.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:08:30
When He created us, He said, this was good.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:08:33
This is a genuine, unconditional love.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:08:35
When you feel that genuine love, and your life is rooted in that,
Moussa Mikhail:
00:08:41
your self esteem is rooted in God's unconditional love, you're able to then
Moussa Mikhail:
00:08:46
see yourself in a different self image.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:08:49
Now you have worth and value,
Moussa Mikhail:
00:08:51
which goes back to your self image, and you see yourself in a
Moussa Mikhail:
00:08:54
different picture, a different light.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:08:56
Despite my mistakes, that despite my failures, despite my shortcomings, I'm
Moussa Mikhail:
00:09:01
not perfect, but God still loves me.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:09:04
He still sees me valuable and worthy, and despite my mistakes in life, because
Moussa Mikhail:
00:09:09
I will have many, and that won't change.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:09:12
As hard as I try, I'm still gonna come up short at some point.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:09:15
He still loves me.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:09:16
I still have worth.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:09:17
I still have a purpose.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:09:19
Now it's time to fulfill that purpose by living my calling.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:09:23
Which leads to number three, Self Identity.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:09:26
What is self identity?
Moussa Mikhail:
00:09:27
Self identity encompasses the roles and labels we adopt in life,
Moussa Mikhail:
00:09:32
such as parent, teacher, worker,
Moussa Mikhail:
00:09:36
this professional, my job, my community role, my church role, and
Moussa Mikhail:
00:09:41
it's heavily tied to personal values, beliefs, and cultural backgrounds.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:09:45
And oftentimes we think we are what we do.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:09:49
We identify with what we do.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:09:51
You know, I see this in the military.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:09:53
I've seen it getting out of the military and I've seen people who are still getting
Moussa Mikhail:
00:09:56
out of the military struggle with this.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:09:58
They lose their sense of self identity because there's so much structure.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:10:02
They're told who they are, what they do, what their role is, and they've
Moussa Mikhail:
00:10:06
adopted it so much so that when it's taken away from them or they separate
Moussa Mikhail:
00:10:10
from it, they don't know their identity.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:10:13
They don't know who they are.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:10:14
They don't know their purpose.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:10:16
This happens with people who are heavily invested in their careers.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:10:19
They begin to adopt.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:10:20
I am this, but I am a lawyer.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:10:22
I am a doctor.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:10:23
I am a teacher.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:10:24
I am this.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:10:24
I am that, that is what you do, but on a fundamental construct,
Moussa Mikhail:
00:10:29
if that's who you believe you are, what happens when that's taken away?
Moussa Mikhail:
00:10:33
What happens when you stop doing that thing?
Moussa Mikhail:
00:10:35
Or what happens if you're not able to do that anymore?
Moussa Mikhail:
00:10:38
Who are you?
Moussa Mikhail:
00:10:38
An unanchored self identity is shaped by roles and labels of this world, which
Moussa Mikhail:
00:10:44
lead to confusion and a lack of purpose.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:10:47
On the other side of that, is an anchored self identity and faith, which is defined
Moussa Mikhail:
00:10:52
by one's relationship with Christ.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:10:55
And purpose in him embracing a new creation when you understand your
Moussa Mikhail:
00:11:00
identity is in Christ It begins to shift what you do say and think you're
Moussa Mikhail:
00:11:04
no longer just living for yourself You're no longer living for this world.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:11:08
You're no longer just living for achievement And worldly success, but
Moussa Mikhail:
00:11:12
to fulfill that purpose of being salt and light of the world, like Christ
Moussa Mikhail:
00:11:18
called us to be, your identity is no longer just about what you do, but
Moussa Mikhail:
00:11:23
how you love and how you serve others.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:11:28
When your identity is in Christ, you start to want to seek Christ
Moussa Mikhail:
00:11:32
and every little thing in your life.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:11:35
And you just want to seek how to become like Christ.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:11:38
How to be love, how to love God with all your mind and heart and
Moussa Mikhail:
00:11:41
how to love others genuinely.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:11:44
Take some time to reflect on the labels and roles that you have adopted,
Moussa Mikhail:
00:11:49
that construct your self identity.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:11:52
How are they empowering you?
Moussa Mikhail:
00:11:54
How are they allowing you to live your purpose and calling, or how are they not?
Moussa Mikhail:
00:11:58
How are they limiting you?
Moussa Mikhail:
00:11:59
Number four is social identity, which has a very, very, very
Moussa Mikhail:
00:12:04
powerful influence in who we become.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:12:08
This refers to how we identify with groups and community.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:12:12
In a fundamental human way, we are tribal species.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:12:16
So this definitely affects how we see ourselves.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:12:20
In Proverbs, it says if you walk with the wise, you become wise, and if you
Moussa Mikhail:
00:12:24
walk with fools, you will suffer harm.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:12:27
our community, how we identify ourselves in groups and communities,
Moussa Mikhail:
00:12:32
greatly affects our mindset, it greatly affects our success, it
Moussa Mikhail:
00:12:36
greatly affects how we see others, how we treat others, and how we love.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:12:40
This could be as simple as cultural, where you were born, where you were
Moussa Mikhail:
00:12:44
raised, what country you were from.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:12:46
It could be Politics could be religious or social affiliations.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:12:51
We all need a sense of belonging and connection.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:12:54
So our social identity, how we go about that greatly influences our entire
Moussa Mikhail:
00:13:00
self concept, our self image, our self esteem, and our self identity.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:13:05
What is the unanchored social identity?
Moussa Mikhail:
00:13:07
It's focused on competition, division, fostering isolation, fosters judgment,
Moussa Mikhail:
00:13:13
and creates a sense of inadequacy.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:13:15
And on the flip side of that, An anchored social identity and faith
Moussa Mikhail:
00:13:19
in faith connects you to a loving community of people that emphasizes
Moussa Mikhail:
00:13:23
service, unity, and peace and love.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:13:26
Now, don't get me wrong.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:13:27
When you are in community with people, you're going to see the good and the bad.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:13:32
You're going to see humanity's brokenness.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:13:34
You're gonna see people's brokenness.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:13:36
Everyone's going to fall short.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:13:37
Everyone's going to fail in some way.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:13:39
This doesn't mean anchored faith community is perfect, but it's conscious of are
Moussa Mikhail:
00:13:46
imperfections and is conscious on we need God's help that we can do this together,
Moussa Mikhail:
00:13:52
but with him, all things are possible.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:13:54
And that means I'm not going to assume that you're perfect and
Moussa Mikhail:
00:13:57
I'm going to see your flaws and I'm going to have grace with you.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:14:00
And I'm going to have peace with you, but I'm going to choose to
Moussa Mikhail:
00:14:03
love you anyway, And i'm going to hope you would do the same for me
Moussa Mikhail:
00:14:07
because we're rooted We're rooted in something much greater than ourselves.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:14:11
You know I've struggled with my self concept for years because I felt like
Moussa Mikhail:
00:14:15
I had to do it alone I didn't have a strong sense of community and I
Moussa Mikhail:
00:14:19
didn't cultivate my relationship with God to realize my dependence on him.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:14:24
I just tried to do it on my own.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:14:26
And when I try to do on my own, it's almost impossible to not get influenced
Moussa Mikhail:
00:14:31
by society, by the things that this world values, things that essentially are
Moussa Mikhail:
00:14:37
vanity or meaningless in the long run.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:14:40
The things that we seek often won't fulfill us.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:14:44
We'll look back at the end of life and not really recall all these little things that
Moussa Mikhail:
00:14:47
we're trying to achieve on a daily basis.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:14:50
But what matters most, did we matter?
Moussa Mikhail:
00:14:53
Did we love?
Moussa Mikhail:
00:14:55
Did we glorify God through our love?
Moussa Mikhail:
00:14:58
Did people see Christ when they saw us loving and serving humbly?
Moussa Mikhail:
00:15:03
What really mattered?
Moussa Mikhail:
00:15:05
Everything I needed was in God's word.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:15:08
And by his grace,
Moussa Mikhail:
00:15:09
I can choose to intentionally be anchored in Christ because he
Moussa Mikhail:
00:15:13
created us to have that choice.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:15:16
Because it wouldn't be genuine love if we did not have the freedom of choice.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:15:20
Our overall self concept is generally shaped by these things.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:15:25
Our personal beliefs and values, and our experiences and memories in life.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:15:30
Our past experiences, both positive and negative, play a crucial
Moussa Mikhail:
00:15:33
role in shaping our self concept.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:15:37
Significant life events, trauma, victories, achievements,
Moussa Mikhail:
00:15:42
failures, relationships,
Moussa Mikhail:
00:15:44
all contribute to how we perceive ourselves.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:15:48
Now the truth is, we cannot change our past experiences.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:15:52
There's a lot of things that we can't change about what
Moussa Mikhail:
00:15:54
influences how we see ourselves.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:15:56
But we can influence our values and strengthen our beliefs by
Moussa Mikhail:
00:16:01
the neuroplasticity of the mind.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:16:03
Your mind is not fixed.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:16:06
It does not have to be fixed.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:16:09
Again, your mind is not fixed to the ideas and beliefs that you have adopted
Moussa Mikhail:
00:16:14
over your life based on your personal experiences and values and the values
Moussa Mikhail:
00:16:18
of your parents and your traumas.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:16:21
You are not fixed.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:16:23
What we constantly think about, listen to, say,
Moussa Mikhail:
00:16:28
and read will consistently shape our mind and values.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:16:32
So what are you thinking about?
Moussa Mikhail:
00:16:34
What are you listening to?
Moussa Mikhail:
00:16:34
What are you reading?
Moussa Mikhail:
00:16:35
And what are you saying?
Moussa Mikhail:
00:16:36
What are you speaking?
Moussa Mikhail:
00:16:38
What are you declaring when you open your mouth?
Moussa Mikhail:
00:16:40
Because that's going to shape your mind.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:16:43
It's going to shape your values and it begins to shape your self concept.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:16:47
We are able to unlearn the coping mechanisms we've developed over the course
Moussa Mikhail:
00:16:54
of our lives, because we're not fixed.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:16:56
And that's how we do it.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:16:57
We begin to change our focus on what we do, what we listen to,
Moussa Mikhail:
00:17:02
what we read, and what we speak.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:17:04
You're not fixed.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:17:06
Your mind is not fixed.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:17:07
Unless you willingly allow it to be.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:17:10
You have a choice.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:17:12
What are you going to anchor your life on?
Moussa Mikhail:
00:17:16
Things of this world that are meaningless, that will disappear tomorrow?
Moussa Mikhail:
00:17:19
Or something timeless and true that will never disappear.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:17:23
Recognize who you really are and who God created you to be.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:17:28
You're not your job.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:17:29
You're not your title.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:17:31
You're not who others say you are.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:17:33
You're not your achievements.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:17:35
You're not your failures.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:17:37
But you are who God says you are.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:17:40
You are made in the image of God.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:17:43
And with that knowledge, it is your responsibility to walk uprightly in
Moussa Mikhail:
00:17:47
that image, to uphold that image, to represent that image, and do everything
Moussa Mikhail:
00:17:53
in your ability to do that to represent God's love and with God's help, you can
Moussa Mikhail:
00:17:58
do just that with God's help, you can live your calling and not be limited
Moussa Mikhail:
00:18:03
by the beliefs that you are not worthy.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:18:05
You're not good enough.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:18:06
You're not smart enough.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:18:07
You're not capable enough because those are all lies.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:18:10
If you've got the spirit of God in you.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:18:12
You are more than enough.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:18:14
Go out and let your light be seen by the world.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:18:17
Thank you so much for tuning in.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:18:20
Let's connect on Instagram.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:18:21
If you liked this episode, please share it with somebody, leave a comment, leave
Moussa Mikhail:
00:18:24
a review, whatever you're struggling with right now, keep your focus on
Moussa Mikhail:
00:18:29
things above and not of this world.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:18:31
Try giving it to Jesus.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:18:32
You have nothing to lose and all to gain.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:18:35
God bless you.
00:00:00
In this episode, I'm going to talk about what is self
Moussa Mikhail:
00:00:04
concept and why our self concept runs what we do, say, and think.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:00:09
We're going to break down the four facets of self concept, which
Moussa Mikhail:
00:00:13
include self image, self esteem, self identity, and social identity.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:00:19
And how each facet influences our life when anchored in God's truth
Moussa Mikhail:
00:00:23
and how it influences our life when it's not anchored in God's truth.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:00:27
Stay tuned for the episode.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:00:29
Welcome to Renew and Transform, a podcast to renew and transform your
Moussa Mikhail:
00:00:34
mind and cultivate your leadership to live a life worthy of your calling.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:00:38
I'm your host Moussa Mikhail.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:00:40
Let the renewal begin.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:00:44
Welcome back to Renew and Transform.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:00:47
Thank you so much for tuning in.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:00:48
Please remember to subscribe, follow, leave a rating review and
Moussa Mikhail:
00:00:52
share this podcast with someone you feel would get value out of it.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:00:57
And if you feel called, please check out the donor box link and give to the
Moussa Mikhail:
00:01:00
production monthly or reoccurringly
Moussa Mikhail:
00:01:03
These funds are monumental in the production and getting this message to as
Moussa Mikhail:
00:01:08
many people as possible around the world.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:01:10
And we're going to talk about self concept, and this is such a deep topic.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:01:15
our self concept, our self identity really is the fabric in which we run our life.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:01:21
How we see ourselves directly impacts what we do, what we say, and what we think.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:01:26
It affects how we see the world.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:01:28
It affects how we see others.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:01:30
It affects every relationship in our life.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:01:32
And it begins with how we see ourself.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:01:35
A lot of times how we see ourself is much different than the
Moussa Mikhail:
00:01:39
biblical truth of how God sees us.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:01:42
Now, when I was navigating life, I was really unaware of this, and I was
Moussa Mikhail:
00:01:46
always seeking validation from women, from lust and intimate relationships,
Moussa Mikhail:
00:01:53
and that's how I kept myself feeling decent about myself, because I
Moussa Mikhail:
00:01:55
didn't really know and understand the truth about God's word.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:02:00
I wasn't really familiar with it.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:02:01
I didn't have a relationship with Jesus at this time.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:02:03
And I was always seeking that validation from other women.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:02:07
And it was just my constant pursuit and it was never satisfying.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:02:11
It was never fulfilling because I knew I would not be able to love
Moussa Mikhail:
00:02:14
someone if I didn't truly love myself, and I couldn't love myself
Moussa Mikhail:
00:02:19
if I didn't truly have a self concept structured around the way God loves me.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:02:25
If I don't understand how I'm loved by Him, I can't love myself,
Moussa Mikhail:
00:02:29
therefore I can't love others to the degree in which I'm capable of.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:02:33
As I grew in my faith, I knew I would never feel whole if I was
Moussa Mikhail:
00:02:38
using validation from others and seeking relationships as my source.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:02:44
And I recognized I would only feel whole and complete
Moussa Mikhail:
00:02:48
when I can see myself through the eyes of Christ and how he sees me.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:02:52
And when I see myself in a Godly anchored perspective.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:02:57
So what is self concept?
Moussa Mikhail:
00:02:59
Our self concept It's the whole picture of how we see ourselves
Moussa Mikhail:
00:03:04
in our unconscious mind.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:03:06
And it is comprised of four major facets.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:03:10
Number one, our self image.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:03:13
Number two, our self esteem.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:03:15
Number three, our self identity.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:03:19
And number four, our social identity.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:03:21
Let's break down these four facets and compare what a faith
Moussa Mikhail:
00:03:25
centered, anchored perspective looks like, and what a world centered,
Moussa Mikhail:
00:03:30
unanchored perspective looks like.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:03:33
Number one, self image.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:03:36
Self image refers to how we see ourselves, including
Moussa Mikhail:
00:03:39
This includes our personal appearance, our physical traits and abilities and skills.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:03:45
It is the mental picture we have for ourself, the image we have about ourself.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:03:51
And the image that we assume others perceive us as Okay, what does an
Moussa Mikhail:
00:03:57
unanchored self image look like?
Moussa Mikhail:
00:03:59
It is influenced by societal standards, which leads to comparison,
Moussa Mikhail:
00:04:04
self doubt, and insecurity.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:04:07
Now, I'm sure you could resonate with this, and when we're so focused on
Moussa Mikhail:
00:04:11
what society believes about us, how society sees us, we get diluted in this.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:04:16
We get absorbed in this, where we are just comparing each other, and in this
Moussa Mikhail:
00:04:20
day and age it's so easy to do that.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:04:23
With social media where we only see the highlight reels of people's
Moussa Mikhail:
00:04:25
lives, people's best face, we don't get to see the nitty and gritty.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:04:29
There's not a lot of conversation sometimes about the real harshness
Moussa Mikhail:
00:04:33
in someone's life, the real struggles, the real strife.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:04:37
And we always think by the society standards that we're somewhat
Moussa Mikhail:
00:04:41
behind where we're supposed to be.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:04:43
We're not enough.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:04:44
We're not good enough.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:04:45
We don't look good enough.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:04:45
We don't perform enough.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:04:47
We need more makeup.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:04:48
We need more botox.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:04:49
We need more plastic parts.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:04:52
We start to feel insecure and we start to doubt ourselves.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:04:55
We start to doubt our abilities.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:04:56
We start to doubt our appearance.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:04:58
We start to lose the sense of the gift God gave us, or gifts God gave us.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:05:04
We can't see ourselves clearly now.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:05:07
We see this huge cloud over ourselves, a foggy state.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:05:10
It's like a window with a bunch of mud on it.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:05:14
You can't really see out and you can't really get light in.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:05:17
So we walk around with muddied windows.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:05:20
Not really knowing what we're capable of and never realizing our true gifts.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:05:26
Then on the flip side, an anchored self image.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:05:28
What does the Bible say?
Moussa Mikhail:
00:05:30
What does God say about our self image?
Moussa Mikhail:
00:05:33
When we can see ourself and view ourself the way God views us, and when we truly
Moussa Mikhail:
00:05:40
identify that aspect of the Bible where, and we can truly resonate that We were
Moussa Mikhail:
00:05:45
created in God's image, not society's image, not the image you think you should
Moussa Mikhail:
00:05:51
look like, not what Hollywood says you should look like, not what commercials
Moussa Mikhail:
00:05:55
say you need, not what media says Is beautiful or worthy or powerful or
Moussa Mikhail:
00:06:01
intelligent or successful, but you were made in God's image worthy and valuable
Moussa Mikhail:
00:06:07
because God created you that way.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:06:10
We are set apart from all other species.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:06:14
You have gifts, you have endowments, you have consciousness, you have a
Moussa Mikhail:
00:06:18
thinking mind that's able to create more than you can even imagine.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:06:24
And when it's truly anchored in that, and you're truly anchored in the
Moussa Mikhail:
00:06:27
Word, you will go day to day reminding yourself, I'm made in God's image.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:06:34
I am worthy.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:06:35
I am valuable.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:06:36
No matter what I feel right now, and no matter what I've been
Moussa Mikhail:
00:06:39
comparing myself to, I am valuable.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:06:42
Number two.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:06:43
Self esteem.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:06:45
What is self esteem?
Moussa Mikhail:
00:06:46
This involves the value and worth we people assign to ourselves.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:06:52
Again, it's greatly contributed by our self image.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:06:56
These go hand in hand.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:06:56
Remember, our self concept is made up of four things.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:06:59
The second being self esteem, how we value ourselves.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:07:02
It reflects how much you appreciate and like yourself.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:07:06
Now, the truth is it's hard to like others.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:07:08
It's hard to express love to someone else if you really don't value yourself.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:07:15
If you don't find value in yourself, you can't express that goodness
Moussa Mikhail:
00:07:21
inside you can't represent God's love if you have no love for yourself.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:07:27
Our self esteem is greatly influenced by our achievements, feedback we
Moussa Mikhail:
00:07:32
get from other people, or just our personal beliefs about who we are,
Moussa Mikhail:
00:07:36
who we were led to believe who we are.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:07:38
Again, self esteem is how you value yourself and your worth.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:07:43
You're not able to love.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:07:45
You're only able to express love to someone else to the degree
Moussa Mikhail:
00:07:49
you feel love for yourself.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:07:51
And how do you do that?
Moussa Mikhail:
00:07:53
What does an anchored self esteem look like?
Moussa Mikhail:
00:07:56
It's rooted in God's unconditional love, leading to true confidence and security.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:08:03
When you're able to value yourself as God's most prized possession, when you
Moussa Mikhail:
00:08:09
see that worth, when you see that God's love is truly unconditional, and you get
Moussa Mikhail:
00:08:15
a sense of that true, unconditional love, it is not based on your achievement,
Moussa Mikhail:
00:08:20
it's not based on your mistakes, it's not based on your sins, your shame that you've
Moussa Mikhail:
00:08:24
been carrying, it's not based on whatever anyone's thought about you or said
Moussa Mikhail:
00:08:28
about you, but it's truly unconditional.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:08:30
When He created us, He said, this was good.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:08:33
This is a genuine, unconditional love.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:08:35
When you feel that genuine love, and your life is rooted in that,
Moussa Mikhail:
00:08:41
your self esteem is rooted in God's unconditional love, you're able to then
Moussa Mikhail:
00:08:46
see yourself in a different self image.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:08:49
Now you have worth and value,
Moussa Mikhail:
00:08:51
which goes back to your self image, and you see yourself in a
Moussa Mikhail:
00:08:54
different picture, a different light.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:08:56
Despite my mistakes, that despite my failures, despite my shortcomings, I'm
Moussa Mikhail:
00:09:01
not perfect, but God still loves me.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:09:04
He still sees me valuable and worthy, and despite my mistakes in life, because
Moussa Mikhail:
00:09:09
I will have many, and that won't change.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:09:12
As hard as I try, I'm still gonna come up short at some point.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:09:15
He still loves me.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:09:16
I still have worth.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:09:17
I still have a purpose.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:09:19
Now it's time to fulfill that purpose by living my calling.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:09:23
Which leads to number three, Self Identity.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:09:26
What is self identity?
Moussa Mikhail:
00:09:27
Self identity encompasses the roles and labels we adopt in life,
Moussa Mikhail:
00:09:32
such as parent, teacher, worker,
Moussa Mikhail:
00:09:36
this professional, my job, my community role, my church role, and
Moussa Mikhail:
00:09:41
it's heavily tied to personal values, beliefs, and cultural backgrounds.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:09:45
And oftentimes we think we are what we do.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:09:49
We identify with what we do.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:09:51
You know, I see this in the military.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:09:53
I've seen it getting out of the military and I've seen people who are still getting
Moussa Mikhail:
00:09:56
out of the military struggle with this.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:09:58
They lose their sense of self identity because there's so much structure.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:10:02
They're told who they are, what they do, what their role is, and they've
Moussa Mikhail:
00:10:06
adopted it so much so that when it's taken away from them or they separate
Moussa Mikhail:
00:10:10
from it, they don't know their identity.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:10:13
They don't know who they are.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:10:14
They don't know their purpose.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:10:16
This happens with people who are heavily invested in their careers.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:10:19
They begin to adopt.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:10:20
I am this, but I am a lawyer.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:10:22
I am a doctor.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:10:23
I am a teacher.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:10:24
I am this.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:10:24
I am that, that is what you do, but on a fundamental construct,
Moussa Mikhail:
00:10:29
if that's who you believe you are, what happens when that's taken away?
Moussa Mikhail:
00:10:33
What happens when you stop doing that thing?
Moussa Mikhail:
00:10:35
Or what happens if you're not able to do that anymore?
Moussa Mikhail:
00:10:38
Who are you?
Moussa Mikhail:
00:10:38
An unanchored self identity is shaped by roles and labels of this world, which
Moussa Mikhail:
00:10:44
lead to confusion and a lack of purpose.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:10:47
On the other side of that, is an anchored self identity and faith, which is defined
Moussa Mikhail:
00:10:52
by one's relationship with Christ.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:10:55
And purpose in him embracing a new creation when you understand your
Moussa Mikhail:
00:11:00
identity is in Christ It begins to shift what you do say and think you're
Moussa Mikhail:
00:11:04
no longer just living for yourself You're no longer living for this world.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:11:08
You're no longer just living for achievement And worldly success, but
Moussa Mikhail:
00:11:12
to fulfill that purpose of being salt and light of the world, like Christ
Moussa Mikhail:
00:11:18
called us to be, your identity is no longer just about what you do, but
Moussa Mikhail:
00:11:23
how you love and how you serve others.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:11:28
When your identity is in Christ, you start to want to seek Christ
Moussa Mikhail:
00:11:32
and every little thing in your life.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:11:35
And you just want to seek how to become like Christ.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:11:38
How to be love, how to love God with all your mind and heart and
Moussa Mikhail:
00:11:41
how to love others genuinely.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:11:44
Take some time to reflect on the labels and roles that you have adopted,
Moussa Mikhail:
00:11:49
that construct your self identity.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:11:52
How are they empowering you?
Moussa Mikhail:
00:11:54
How are they allowing you to live your purpose and calling, or how are they not?
Moussa Mikhail:
00:11:58
How are they limiting you?
Moussa Mikhail:
00:11:59
Number four is social identity, which has a very, very, very
Moussa Mikhail:
00:12:04
powerful influence in who we become.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:12:08
This refers to how we identify with groups and community.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:12:12
In a fundamental human way, we are tribal species.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:12:16
So this definitely affects how we see ourselves.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:12:20
In Proverbs, it says if you walk with the wise, you become wise, and if you
Moussa Mikhail:
00:12:24
walk with fools, you will suffer harm.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:12:27
our community, how we identify ourselves in groups and communities,
Moussa Mikhail:
00:12:32
greatly affects our mindset, it greatly affects our success, it
Moussa Mikhail:
00:12:36
greatly affects how we see others, how we treat others, and how we love.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:12:40
This could be as simple as cultural, where you were born, where you were
Moussa Mikhail:
00:12:44
raised, what country you were from.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:12:46
It could be Politics could be religious or social affiliations.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:12:51
We all need a sense of belonging and connection.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:12:54
So our social identity, how we go about that greatly influences our entire
Moussa Mikhail:
00:13:00
self concept, our self image, our self esteem, and our self identity.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:13:05
What is the unanchored social identity?
Moussa Mikhail:
00:13:07
It's focused on competition, division, fostering isolation, fosters judgment,
Moussa Mikhail:
00:13:13
and creates a sense of inadequacy.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:13:15
And on the flip side of that, An anchored social identity and faith
Moussa Mikhail:
00:13:19
in faith connects you to a loving community of people that emphasizes
Moussa Mikhail:
00:13:23
service, unity, and peace and love.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:13:26
Now, don't get me wrong.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:13:27
When you are in community with people, you're going to see the good and the bad.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:13:32
You're going to see humanity's brokenness.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:13:34
You're gonna see people's brokenness.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:13:36
Everyone's going to fall short.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:13:37
Everyone's going to fail in some way.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:13:39
This doesn't mean anchored faith community is perfect, but it's conscious of are
Moussa Mikhail:
00:13:46
imperfections and is conscious on we need God's help that we can do this together,
Moussa Mikhail:
00:13:52
but with him, all things are possible.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:13:54
And that means I'm not going to assume that you're perfect and
Moussa Mikhail:
00:13:57
I'm going to see your flaws and I'm going to have grace with you.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:14:00
And I'm going to have peace with you, but I'm going to choose to
Moussa Mikhail:
00:14:03
love you anyway, And i'm going to hope you would do the same for me
Moussa Mikhail:
00:14:07
because we're rooted We're rooted in something much greater than ourselves.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:14:11
You know I've struggled with my self concept for years because I felt like
Moussa Mikhail:
00:14:15
I had to do it alone I didn't have a strong sense of community and I
Moussa Mikhail:
00:14:19
didn't cultivate my relationship with God to realize my dependence on him.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:14:24
I just tried to do it on my own.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:14:26
And when I try to do on my own, it's almost impossible to not get influenced
Moussa Mikhail:
00:14:31
by society, by the things that this world values, things that essentially are
Moussa Mikhail:
00:14:37
vanity or meaningless in the long run.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:14:40
The things that we seek often won't fulfill us.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:14:44
We'll look back at the end of life and not really recall all these little things that
Moussa Mikhail:
00:14:47
we're trying to achieve on a daily basis.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:14:50
But what matters most, did we matter?
Moussa Mikhail:
00:14:53
Did we love?
Moussa Mikhail:
00:14:55
Did we glorify God through our love?
Moussa Mikhail:
00:14:58
Did people see Christ when they saw us loving and serving humbly?
Moussa Mikhail:
00:15:03
What really mattered?
Moussa Mikhail:
00:15:05
Everything I needed was in God's word.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:15:08
And by his grace,
Moussa Mikhail:
00:15:09
I can choose to intentionally be anchored in Christ because he
Moussa Mikhail:
00:15:13
created us to have that choice.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:15:16
Because it wouldn't be genuine love if we did not have the freedom of choice.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:15:20
Our overall self concept is generally shaped by these things.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:15:25
Our personal beliefs and values, and our experiences and memories in life.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:15:30
Our past experiences, both positive and negative, play a crucial
Moussa Mikhail:
00:15:33
role in shaping our self concept.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:15:37
Significant life events, trauma, victories, achievements,
Moussa Mikhail:
00:15:42
failures, relationships,
Moussa Mikhail:
00:15:44
all contribute to how we perceive ourselves.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:15:48
Now the truth is, we cannot change our past experiences.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:15:52
There's a lot of things that we can't change about what
Moussa Mikhail:
00:15:54
influences how we see ourselves.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:15:56
But we can influence our values and strengthen our beliefs by
Moussa Mikhail:
00:16:01
the neuroplasticity of the mind.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:16:03
Your mind is not fixed.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:16:06
It does not have to be fixed.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:16:09
Again, your mind is not fixed to the ideas and beliefs that you have adopted
Moussa Mikhail:
00:16:14
over your life based on your personal experiences and values and the values
Moussa Mikhail:
00:16:18
of your parents and your traumas.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:16:21
You are not fixed.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:16:23
What we constantly think about, listen to, say,
Moussa Mikhail:
00:16:28
and read will consistently shape our mind and values.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:16:32
So what are you thinking about?
Moussa Mikhail:
00:16:34
What are you listening to?
Moussa Mikhail:
00:16:34
What are you reading?
Moussa Mikhail:
00:16:35
And what are you saying?
Moussa Mikhail:
00:16:36
What are you speaking?
Moussa Mikhail:
00:16:38
What are you declaring when you open your mouth?
Moussa Mikhail:
00:16:40
Because that's going to shape your mind.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:16:43
It's going to shape your values and it begins to shape your self concept.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:16:47
We are able to unlearn the coping mechanisms we've developed over the course
Moussa Mikhail:
00:16:54
of our lives, because we're not fixed.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:16:56
And that's how we do it.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:16:57
We begin to change our focus on what we do, what we listen to,
Moussa Mikhail:
00:17:02
what we read, and what we speak.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:17:04
You're not fixed.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:17:06
Your mind is not fixed.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:17:07
Unless you willingly allow it to be.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:17:10
You have a choice.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:17:12
What are you going to anchor your life on?
Moussa Mikhail:
00:17:16
Things of this world that are meaningless, that will disappear tomorrow?
Moussa Mikhail:
00:17:19
Or something timeless and true that will never disappear.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:17:23
Recognize who you really are and who God created you to be.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:17:28
You're not your job.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:17:29
You're not your title.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:17:31
You're not who others say you are.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:17:33
You're not your achievements.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:17:35
You're not your failures.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:17:37
But you are who God says you are.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:17:40
You are made in the image of God.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:17:43
And with that knowledge, it is your responsibility to walk uprightly in
Moussa Mikhail:
00:17:47
that image, to uphold that image, to represent that image, and do everything
Moussa Mikhail:
00:17:53
in your ability to do that to represent God's love and with God's help, you can
Moussa Mikhail:
00:17:58
do just that with God's help, you can live your calling and not be limited
Moussa Mikhail:
00:18:03
by the beliefs that you are not worthy.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:18:05
You're not good enough.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:18:06
You're not smart enough.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:18:07
You're not capable enough because those are all lies.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:18:10
If you've got the spirit of God in you.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:18:12
You are more than enough.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:18:14
Go out and let your light be seen by the world.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:18:17
Thank you so much for tuning in.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:18:20
Let's connect on Instagram.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:18:21
If you liked this episode, please share it with somebody, leave a comment, leave
Moussa Mikhail:
00:18:24
a review, whatever you're struggling with right now, keep your focus on
Moussa Mikhail:
00:18:29
things above and not of this world.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:18:31
Try giving it to Jesus.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:18:32
You have nothing to lose and all to gain.
Moussa Mikhail:
00:18:35
God bless you.
