TITLE: IDENTIFYING AND CHALLENGING LABELS

The bible verse for today’s devotional is: 2 Corinthians 10:5-6 (NIV)

“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete.’

Devotional

A 24 year old lady, Abosede only got to understand why she did not like looking at herself in the mirror when she visited a professional counsellor. She had been labelled ugly since she was 4 years old. 

Bosun, a 15 year old boy never believed in himself because his parents always told him he was good for nothing despite the cheers from his teachers and classmates when he achieved a great feat. 

Let us  examine what we can do to identify labels and how best to challenge them. 

1. Be mindful and aware of the labels and stereotypes in your environment. Pay attention to names used to describe you and other people. Have you heard people describing individuals or a group of people by what they think they are and not who they really are just because they are from a particular tribe or race. These are labels and stereotypes!
2. Critical thinking: Question the assumptions and biases underlying labels and stereotypes. Ask yourself whether certain labels accurately describe anyone being labelled.
3. Empathy: Put yourself in the shoes of individuals who are treated based on labels and stereotypes rather than their true identity.
4. Speak out against labels and stereotypes when you encounter them. Challenge harmful language and promote understanding and empathy.
5. Lead by example by avoiding using labels or making assumptions about others based on superficial characteristics, and encourage others to do the same.

Here are a few reflective questions:

1. Have I been negatively labelled or I labelled yourself? Have I labelled anyone? Are they empowering or disempowering labels?
2. How do these labels make me feel, and how have they influenced my self-image?
3. What will I do differently to handle labels or discourage labelling wherever I am?

Let us pray

Oh Lord,  help me to build resilience against negative name calling. Help me Lord to be your worthy ambassador.

Please say these words of affirmation. Say them, mean them, own them and live them

I embrace the fullness of who I am. I celebrate my individuality. I trust in God's plan for my life and I find peace in knowing that I am enough just as I am.

Do have a peaceful day. Take good care of yourself and see you tomorrow.

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TITLE: REMOVING LABELS AND EMBRACING THE REAL YOU

The bible verse for today’s devotional is: Genesis 35:18 (NIV)

“As she breathed her last—for she was dying—she named her son Ben-Oni.[a] But his father named him Benjamin.”

Devotional 

Labels are words that often categorise or define people based on appearances, behaviours or characters.. They could sometimes be negative or positive and could impact how the person is perceived or treated.

David was called "too small" by his father Jesse who did not give him any opportunity to be more than a shepherd boy but guess what? He became the king of Israel.

 Rachel, the wife of Jacob, named her son Ben-Oni, or "son of my sorrows," but Jacob changed his name to Benjamin, which means "son of strength, son of power, son of my right hand."

Jabez was named by his mother “sorrowful" or “born in pain” because his birth was very difficult. This label plagued him for a good part of his life until he prayed to God and his story changed.

Labels and stereotypes can influence how individuals perceive themselves and construct their identity. When people are consistently negatively labelled based on looks, race, tribe, character, gender, or socio-economic status, e,t,c, they may internalise these perceptions and incorporate them into their sense of self.

Negative labels erode self-esteem and self-worth. Being constantly exposed to messages that reinforce stereotypes can lead people to doubt their abilities and worth. They also create limiting beliefs about what individuals are capable of achieving.  For example, some people view girls as being unable to thrive in the field of engineering while they think boys are not suited to study nursing. How wrong that can be!

 Here are a few reflective questions:

1. Have I been negatively labelled or I labelled myself? Have I labelled anyone? Are they empowering or disempowering labels?
2. How do these labels make me feel, and how have they influenced my self-image?
3. Am I under pressure to conform to societal expectations or stereotypes in order to fit in or gain acceptance? How did this affect my sense of authenticity and belonging?

Let us pray:

Oh Lord, help me to build resilience against negative name calling. Help me Lord to know my worth daily.

Please say these words of affirmation. Say them, mean them, own them and live them

I will not be moved by any negative names or labels. I am worthy.

I am not what people call me but what I say I am which is what God says I am.

Go prove to the world that you are worthy. Yes, you can do it. Take good care of yourself and see you tomorrow

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Title: Unmasked - Discover the True You

The bible verse for today’s devotional is: Judges 6:12 (NIV)

 “When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.” 

Devotional:

Who are you?

Discovering one's true self is a profound journey that can begin at any age. Teenage stage is a time marked for self-discovery, exploration & growth. Discovering the true essence of oneself requires a profound revelation, often bestowed through unexpected channels like the story of Gideon. One's true identity is often obscured by fear, doubt, and societal expectations.

You may find yourself stuck in a situation that doesn't align with your true purpose or in a place of confinement, where you feel restricted or unable to express yourself fully.

These tips may help:

• Embracing divine presence and encounters can unveil your true self and essence.
• Setting aside time for quiet contemplation can help you explore your thoughts, feelings, and aspirations.
• Exploring and engaging in passion and interesting activities can provide valuable insights into your true self.

 Here are a few reflective questions:

1. What experience is hindering me from unveiling my true self?
2. What fears and doubts stop me from embracing my identity?

Let us pray:

O Lord, help me to see me the way you see me.

Please say these words of affirmation. Say them, mean them, own them and live them: 

I am uniquely wired and I am enough just as I am

Enjoy your day. Take good care of yourself and see you tomorrow.

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Title: Redefining Success 

The bible verse for today’s devotional is: 1 Corinthians 9: 24-27 (NIV)

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.  Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.  No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

Devotional: 

As a young person, part of knowing who you are is identifying and understanding your tendencies and proclivities. These are the things that are likely to get in the way of you attaining what you previously set out to do. Do you know what those tendencies are?

Attaining success in whatever we set out to do requires curtailing excesses such as excessive time on phones/social media, gaming, chatting with friends, sleeping etc. 

Self-discipline is therefore one of the daily matrices wherein success can be measured.

In our text today, Paul recognises and attests to the fact that strict training is required for anyone to win a prize. Obvious right? But sometimes we forget or perhaps we wish it away. Paul reminds us that ‘making your body your slave’ which can also be termed to be self discipline is an absolute requirement in order for personal success to be achieved. This speaks to curtailing your excesses and disciplining yourself.

Here are a few reflective questions:

• Can I think of one to three things that are capable of  distracting me whenever I make up my mind to complete a task?
• How can I begin to discipline myself with respect to this?

Let us pray:

Lord, help me today as I make the decision to be more disciplined in …(mention the area you would like to be more disciplined)

Please say these words of affirmation. Say them, mean them, own them and live them:

I can control my thoughts, words and actions.. 

I can be self disciplined. 

Stay focused today and take good care of yourself and see you tomorrow

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