"Who Owns Your Brand?"

During countless therapy sessions, I've often explored, warned, and even challenged clients to be careful when it comes to who you allow to freely access and/or influence your thoughts, thinking, and decision making. I often ask, Who do you lease space out to in your mind and heart? Believe me when I say, there are certain people, things, and situations you don't want swimming around in your mind. Your mind is not only a terrible thing to waste, it's a dangerous weapon when placed in the wrong hands. 

Have you leased your mind and heart out to:

1. Anxiety?

2. Depression?

3. Anger?

4. Bitterness?

5. Unforgiveness?

6. Grief?

7. The Unknown?

If any of the above isn't properly managed and/or resolved, your mind and heart could now be under siege. You could be relinquishing brand ownership at this very moment. What do I mean when use the phrase "Brand"? Brand is a phrase both people and businesses use to identify themselves. Branding is a way of saying, "This is who I am, where I stand, and to whom I belong." The hard truth of the matter is, if you don't brand (identify) yourself, someone else will. Right or wrong, good or bad, correct or politically incorrect, people will brand you the way in which they want to if you allow it.

When it comes to your identity, you have to be unafraid, bold, and tenacious. If you are falsely branded because of false information or things from your past that no longer adequately represents you, you must respectfully stand up for who you are today. When offended and/or under attack, don't just say that's OK when you know it's not. If you don't stand up for yourself, who will?  

In the book of Galatians 1:1-2, the apostle Paul says these words, "Paul, an apostle--sent not from men nor by a man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead--and all the brothers and sisters with me,..." Why did Paul begin this letter with those words, especially when the vast majority of his writings start with a customary greeting? Paul opened his letter to the church in Galatia with these words because his brand (identity) was under attack. Members of the church questioned Paul's calling and character while at the same time attempted to falsely brand (identify) him. Well, Paul wasn't having it, and he made that very clear when he said, "Paul, an apostle--sent not from men nor by a man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised him from the dead..." In other words, Paul was clearly saying, I know who I am, where I stand, and whom I belong. The world (you) did not give it--the world (you) cannot take it away. Paul stood up for his brand (identity) and wasn't afraid to challenge anyone who questioned his self-definition.

Are you willing to do the same?

As you prepare for what life has in store for you today, please carry this Discipleship Devotional in your spirit, heart, and mind. 

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