I held Harper’s hand as we walked into the restaurant to place our name on the waiting list. Actually, I walked; my 7-year-old grandniece skipped.
I gave the hostess the number in our party, expressed the desire for an outside table, and told her yes, crayons, please. Then the hostess asked my name. I replied, “Sharon.”
Harper quickly corrected me: “No. It’s Aunt Sharon.”
Smiles and giggles went all around. Harper had no idea what was so funny.
All through life, we are known by different names. Some lovely. Some laughable. Some loathsome. Some others call us. Some we call ourselves.
In the Bible, there is a story of a woman named Naomi who changed her name. She and her family left their home in Bethlehem and moved to Moab, but over the next 10 years, her husband and two married sons died. When she decided to return to Bethlehem, only her daughter-in-law Ruth joined her.
Naomi was broken. She must have looked very different as she trudged into town forlorn.
“Is that Naomi?” her friends asked.
She said, “Don’t call me Naomi,” which means “pleasant” in Hebrew. “Call me Mara [bitter], because the Almighty has made my life very bitter. I went away full, but the LORD has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi? The LORD has afflicted me; the Almighty has brought misfortune upon me” (Ruth 1:20-21, NIV).
A time or two, I have changed what I call myself according to the circumstances of my life. Failure. Unwanted. Inadequate. Loser. But you know what? None of those names is true. Those are not names God calls me … or you.
No matter what’s on your birth certificate, what others have called you, or what you have called yourself, God calls you His dearly loved child. If you have placed your faith in Jesus, He also calls you:
Anointed (2 Corinthians 1:21-22).
Appointed (John 15:16).
Accepted (Romans 15:7).
Reconciled (Romans 5:10).
Righteous (2 Corinthians 5:21).
Redeemed (Galatians 3:13).
Forgiven (Ephesians 1:7).
Free (Romans 8:1).
Friend (John 15:15).
Chosen (Ephesians 1:4).
Holy (Colossians 1:22).
Dearly loved (Colossians 3:12).
Justified (Romans 5:9).
Qualified (Colossians 1:12).
Jesus’ bride (2 Corinthians 11:2).
Those are the names we need to remember.
Eventually Ruth married Naomi’s relative Boaz and had a son. Naomi’s friends then encouraged her, “Praise be to the LORD, who this day has not left you without a guardian-redeemer … He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age” (Ruth 4:14-15a, NIV). I think this grandma dropped the name, bitter-Mara, and picked back up the name, pleasant-Naomi.
Let’s learn from Naomi that our identity and dignity is given to us by God, our Redeemer. And let’s make sure we don’t change what we call ourselves according to ever-changing circumstances. Instead, may we listen to God’s voice: “I have called you by name, you are mine” (Isaiah 43:1b).
Father, forgive me for seeing myself as less than how You see me. Regardless of my circumstances, help me remember I am holy, chosen and dearly loved. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
What names have you been calling yourself that you need to drop? What names that God is calling you resonate with your heart? Leave a comment and let’s share. I bet you’ll find that you are not alone!
Digging Deeper
Do the voices in your head tell you that you are not good enough, smart enough, pretty enough, or just not enough at all? If so, it’s time to stop listening to the lies that sabotage your confidence and replace them with truth. Sharon’s book Enough: Silencing the Lies that Steal Your Confidence will help you start believing the truth about who God says you are. I wonder if you have a friend that needs this book too.
© 2024 by Sharon Jaynes. All rights reserved.
Comments 63
No confidence and an empty shell
“Jesus turned, and seeing her said, ‘Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.’ And instantly the woman was made well” (Matthew 9:22). Don’t give up, God will fill you up. I know this personally. Talk to your Abba Father 💗
Bitter, ugly,no good,
I am not good enough
I am not safe
I am not strong enough
Something is wrong with me
Sally, you ARE good enough because God loves you.
You are safe, because he holds you in His hands.
He is your strength.
There is nothing wrong with you that he cannot heal.
God does not make junk.
You are his precious daughter, whose name is written on his hand.
Claim it!
Sally,
I use to tell my self those same lies, BUT God!! I became so desperate to be free, I joined an intense women’s Bible study/Support group to learn the truth to replace those lies of the enemy. I got counseling which helped me work through some tuff things and make decisions with healthy boundries. It hasn’t been over night and I’m not completely there, but I am on this journey to FREEDOM!! Please start today to receive the Father’s love by getting involved in a good Women’s Bible Study and/or counseling. If he can set me free from the condeming tape recorder that played in my mind; he can set you free!! I’ll be praying for you my friend,
Robin
Sally, through Jesus you are enough.
With Jesus, you are safe.
With Jesus, you are strong enough.
With Jesus, you will get through this.
You were created for a purpose.
For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39
Love reading your devotional!
Accepted, Dearly Loved, Forgiven,Chosen
Father, thank you for calling me your child and loving me unconditionally.
I am a member of a small church in SC. We publish a newsletter with about 260 subscribers. Please may I reprint part of “The Name You Call Yourself” in our newsletter giving you all the credit of course.
Thank you.
Author
Sure! Thanks for asking.
Thank you Sharon. I related to these name calling.. Praise God ! I’m learning what God calls me. Your devotions are a true blessing.
Broken, lost and don’t know ow what God’s purpose for me.
“Jesus turned, and seeing her said, ‘Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.’ And instantly the woman was made well” (Matthew 9:22). I’ve been there Carla. Don’t give up our Heavenly Father sees you ❣️
I call myself Not Smart. It hurts still today at 62!
Don’t believe those lies!!!! The Deceiver wants you to be stuck and not enjoy all the blessings and purpose that God has for you bc of that and other names that aren’t true. Jesus renews our minds and He LOVES you!!! Blessings Kari.
Kari, God made you smart in at least one unique way and along with everything above that Sharon. I was a school aide to children with Down Syndrome. I enjoyed working with them and watching them learn. I even learned things from them. Bless you & believe you are smart. Thank you Sharon.
I have most recently called myself weak, because of crying so much over my Husbands passing in October last year.
I am so sorry that you have lost your husband. I cannot imagine how that would feel, but there is nothing weak about grief. It is not weakness, it is love, and sadness from missing someone, and it is normal. I still cry because I lost my daddy in June. I pray God comforts you and hugs you today.
Just absolutely love this.
There is no greater blessing than to be called a child of GOD’s! That means HE loves you far far beyond human comprehension. HE gave HIS life for Us! We have the promise of eternal life because HE loves us. It’s truly incredible. THE CREATOR of the universe loves us. Smoother yourself in HIS Love and let it flow from you to others
Thank you, Aunt Sharon!🙂💓 I am joyful and triumphant!
Victim has been my name for too many years. Smart, Joyful and Cherished are my new names. Thx for the devotional Sharon!
For years I struggled with no confidence. Feeling less than. I have so many regrets for the mistakes I’ve made craving to be liked and accepted. I now just want to live in peace. I pray for GOD’S forgiveness and I only want to be known as a child of GOD.
I also made so many mistakes when wanting to be loved by those who cannot offer love. I have asked for forgiveness from God over and over. Then I realized we don’t need to ask God more than once if we are truly sorry , we have been forgiven. God is great in his grace and mercy. Thank you 🙏🏻 for sharing, makes me remember I am not alone.
Not good enough no matter what I do.
You are Dearly Loved by God no matter what!!
Thank you Sharon for this wonderful message! I’m on a healing journey from childhood trauma and those names I called myself are giving way to the names that God calls me. I’ll just share that a few weeks ago my husband said he cherishes me. I told him, “oh that’s the meaning of my name!” I needed to hear that so much and the next day I looked up the meaning to show him. Imagine my surprise when the website said it means Beloved. Well, that’s what my Abba Father calls me and I was even more delighted to see that.
Thank you Sharon for this beautiful devotional today. I so much needed to read this!
I know that God loves me unconditionally and that I am cherished, but Satan is always filling my head with lies. God Bless all you sisters in Christ.❤
Stupid, because i can’t remember things I know I should. Can’t do anything right girl,
I should be calling myself forgiven, loved dearly and accepted by God. The names you listed above and so many more from Scripture is all that should matter.
I have experienced rejections at work and that has caused me to call myself so many names. It’s not easy picking yourself up and getting your mindset right but I am believing that God will strengthen me to do so and to call myself what he calls me. Rejections are part of life and I can work harder towards my goal and I am going to do just that because He strengthens me.
Thank you for this reminder today Sharon! I copied these beautiful verses from the Bible into a note to share with my sisters in Christ who may also need these reminders. I hope this is ok?
Your sharing with us will lead to further sharing – thank you for blessing us today!
Author
Absolutely! That’s great!!!!
Hi Sharon,
Thank you for those wise words of wisdom. Each day though it is not easy, I am learning to see myself as God does. It is a process so thank you for these profound words.
I was born Margarita in France, but brought up in Spain and did not feel like I belonged there. I moved to England to work as a nurse and one month before I gave my life to Christ, I changed my name to Mara (because English people didn’t pronounce my shorter name ‘Marga’ right), not knowing what Mara meant. When I read Naomi’s story in the Bible and what happened to the Israelites with Moses at the bitter water’s of Marah (Exodus 15:22-27), The Holy Spirit impressed in my heart that my life had been a bitter one, but what Jesus did on the cross had made my life now sweet, just like the piece of wood that Moses threw in the bitter waters of Marah had made them sweet and drinkable. Likewise, I am now pleasant, Naomi, affecting others positively. My life is sweet because of Christ. Sometimes I think of changing my name, but I feel that Mara reminds me what my life would be without Him and keeps me so thankful and grateful to Him. We all need reminders. My name is my reminder of how far He has brought me and changed me.
I have always been proud of the name “Mama”. Though, I am living through a time of estrangement from my children, incl. being excluded from my dgtr’s wedding. It is totally wrapped up in a dysfunctional/abusive marriage (now, divorced). Not living the dreams for my children, in first person, leaves me with the name “rejected”!
I’ve been living my life with such bitterness following the loss of a child, divorce and a path of brokenness with little sight of Gods promises of Jeremiah 29:11. This brought me such conviction that I will someday see the praises of God in my old age. Thank you.
I often catch myself calling myself stupid or dumb. Also I often feel that I don’t measure up and that I am not good enough. I love that I am called daughter and beloved. Not only that, but He knows my name.
SAVED and God’s Masterpiece replaced “not good enough”
Daughter of the most high God! Yes there are times I get distracted but my heart of heart knows I am His.
Failure..for not showing gentleness and kindness to my adult son (40) because I did not let go of the offense, insult, etc…how he spoke to me earlier. He had done so many times before. .I let my emotions drive my behavior. Now he is overseas and doesn’t respond to my texts or call. I know God doesn’t condemn me but I
replay in my mind how I could have done differently. Thanks for your encouraging words. God bless you
Juselda
February 7, 2024 At 2:48 pm
A Child of God’s Made in His Image And Likeness And He Loved Me Thank You Sharon, For
Reminding Me That I’m Anointed No never write this before
My name is Failure.
Author
Now wait a minute! That is not your name. That might be what you’ve called yourself, but that is not what God calls you. Tell me, sweet sister, what is a name God calls you?
Thank you, Sharon, This was a wonderful devotional. Yes, I cried. We must remind ourselves that we are God’s beloved. Thank you for your permission to give copies out to other sisters in the Lord.
I spent 45 yrs in a loveless marriage, both physically and emotionally. My name was UNLOVED. I cannot wait to be the Beloved Bride of Jesus, for ALL eternity!
Sharon thank you for your continued dedication to this platform you have been such a blessing and have touched so many lives, I can truly say you have touched mine.
Todays devotion was just for more I feel, I was feeling less than today your words of encouragement and biblical example of Naomi and supporting scriptures of how Gods sees was uplifting and a Blessing to me!! Praise God he is a Faithful and in time God !!
May the continue to pour out HIS Blessings upon you ! ✨🙏🏼♥️
Author
Thank you so much. I needed that encouragement
today!
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
ANTS automatic negative thoughts
Those things that we call ourselves enter my mind so automatically I don’t even realize I’m being attacked. I’m praying to become more intentional and to take every thought captive and rebuke the automatic negative thoughts and replace them with Jesus’s truth about who I am.
What names have you been calling yourself that you need to drop? What names is God calling you to resonate with your heart? The name I’ve been calling myself that I need to drop: I’m fat, sad, broken, unworthy of a committed relationship, broke, lonely, ugly, unhealthy. But the names that God is calling me to resonate with in my heart: loved, beautiful, fulfilled, married to Christ, taken care of by God, healthy, strong, resilient, happy, joyful, and put together.
Sharon, my thanks for this devotional. No matter how many times God, Jesus, Holy Spirit pour into me love and His WORD of truth for drenching my soul in His goodness: I forget that I have a new name. This is a blessed reminder: I am a new creation through my Lord Jesus Christ. He calls me. He calls me His daughter. He calls me His beloved. Amen
How these comments spoke me!:My brother has been telling me for some time that I am a daughter of the Most High. I should NOT allow my own daughter to treat me as she does or cause me such pain – almost 7 years worth! Why should I allow myself to be shaped by her own self image? God, help me! Show me what You’d have me do!
Lately i have been feeling inadequate , and also incompetent, and the temptation to compare myself and also inferior especiallyto those who have achieved more academically, and those who are able to seem other jobs cause of there academics and skills. I struggle alot with fear and a difficult situation at work has contributed to me having anxiety and not trusting the people at my work place.
It is oddly comforting to read comments of other women’s experiences because it makes me realize that I am not alone. I know God is always with me, but knowing there are living, breathing women who share my feelings of inadequacy despite my outward showing of joy. No one knows how deep those feelings go and how much they can derail us, except God. I pour my heart out to Him but sometimes I want to talk to someone who talks back (verbally)! There is not a human on earth who truly understands me but these posts let me know that there are lots of you who would! May you be blessed with the faith to call upon Jesus to save you in those moments of self-doubt and criticism. Bask in His love for you and let Him truly love you! That’s what I keep telling myself!
Thank you, Sharon. Your posts are so genuine and always hit home!
Sharon,
Thanks for the reminder. I don’t have a good memory and I tell my self I’m stupid, but I know God is there for me and is holding me up. I am His child. I just have to keep reminding myself.
I am 66 years old and I have struggled with feelings of self loathing all of my life. I disliked people because I was afraid of them. Because I didn’t like how I felt around them. Stupid weird ugly anxious incompetent…..
At 42 my husband left me and our 3 kids. He told our youngest that he didn’t like her cause she was just like me. We had been Christians but turned away from God because of all the turmoil in our lives. Then at 62 a counselor diagnosed me with Aspergers Syndrome. It was the “this is why” regarding everything about me. But I was so angry at God for making me this way and for not knowing. Maybe if I’d been able to get help my life would have turned out differently.
Still I started going back to church because I just couldn’t cope with my life and all the changes going on in our society. I was depressed and scared. I went for some counseling but where I live it’s hard to find services for adults on the spectrum. Somehow I found Sharon’s book and read it. It really helped me to gain a more positive perspective. I still struggle. My brain is wired differently from other people’s. I will never really fit in. And I have no idea of God’s purpose for my life, especially at this late age. But I also know that my attitude regarding who I am is what makes the biggest difference in my life. The first step in my being functional is making the effort to trust in what God says about me rather than how I feel or think about myself. That is me stepping out of the boat. And when the familiar junk starts bombarding my thoughts and feelings I stop and cry out to God. I rebuke the enemy, who wants me to hate myself, and speak affirming scripture out loud. It is an ongoing battle for me but as time goes on I see progress and so do other people. When I think and feel differently about myself I act, react and interact differently. That changes my life experiences. This is not an easy process. It takes tremendous effort and courage.
But I encourage all of you who struggle with self loathing to make this effort toward God. There is nothing else you can do for yourself that is more worthwhile
Author
I am giving you a standing ovation right now!!!!! So proud of you!!!! You are amazing!!!!
Shirley
I call myself “not smart”, less than, and unwanted. I am so tired of struggling with it. Your devotions on this subject has hit home so many times but sooner or later I find myself right back where I started. What should I do?
Beautiful, Unique, Necessary
The enemy has lied to you as he has to me.
You are loved by the Most High God – creator of heaven and earth.
He sees you and He desires for you to seek Him with all your heart, mind, soul and strength,..
Seek and you will find Him, freedom from the lies, and peace within.
Isaiah 26:3 He whose mind is stayed on the Lord is in perfect peace.
He loves you Teresa, He sees you Teresa.
You are Beautiful, Unique, and Necessary
Thank you, Sharon,
Great topic, and it is important for us to speak over our lives, as God see’s our reflection. We are a child of God, we are so loved and when we mirror his love we shine above all else. We are so blessed!!
I have just read the devotional, and read through all the courageous posts! I too have soooo many names I tend to call myself such as:
fat, ugly, dumb, unlovable, not wanted, undesirable, not good enough, NEVER GOOD ENOUGH… I compare myself all the time to the women my husband works with … what’s up with that?
But I still try to find strength in reading positive and encouraging words like the ones I found in Sharon’s devotions and writings which i find amazingly helpful, and all that you ladies have shared, and for the ones that are struggling, please know and remember, as I need to remind myself, we are never alone. God is with us. He sits beside us. He holds our hands. He wipes our tears. He has known us from day one and He will never leave us… I have to remind myself that over and over again because I feel lost and forgotten so many times!!
I have gone through abuse, emotional and physical, and it has left scars. My mom used to say ” God loves you, why can’t you love yourself?” Good question
I have called myself many names. I cringe when I realize how offensive my naming calling is to Jesus. I ask for His forgiveness.
I realize it’s the evil one who desires to keep me down, to tear me away from my Lord and Savior, Jesus.