labelling theory

It's been an awfully long time since I wrote a blog, about a year actually which is pretty scary to think that a year has gone by and within the blink of an eye. I guess you could say a lot has changed in the past year. I visited Bethlehem this summer, an experience I don't think I'll ever forget and cannot wait to relive again hopefully very soon. I finished my first year of uni and now, into my second I'm beginning to feel like I should probably take it more seriously. I built new friendships, I lost some old ones and along the way there's been some great stuff and not so great stuff.

One thing hasn't changed; God. His blessings are still being poured out continuously, even when I can't see it.

I study psychology at uni and for my exams next week I've been looking at psychiatric disorders, pretty hefty but something strangely stood out to me. There are lots of theories that have evolved to try and understand how these disorders develop, one of them being 'Labelling theory'.
It's not too hard to understand, basically people get labelled with an illness or disorder and therefore they 'live up' to the expectation of said label, they act and change their attitudes so that they fit into the label they have been given.

Recently the devils been on my case a lot. The only word I can illustrate this with is worthlessness. That I'm unworthy of God's love, that I was unworthy of a mans love, that my worth dwindles due to my appearance, my lifestyle and my daily disappointments to God and to those around me. This has been playing on my mind over and over to the point were I'm starting to believe it.
Sometimes the devil can overwhelm us with his words, these labels that he forces upon us and reiterates with the situations we face in order to push us to the point were we believe it and accept his lies.

I believe it's in moments of utter simplicity that God can reveal himself, don't get me wrong, there are momentous occasions with signs and visions, but God knows me and how I love simplicity. And whilst studying for my exams, he's revealed a bit of his heart to me.

The devil may have one word against me but I have a book of the living word that tells me time and time again of my worth in Jesus Christ.

God places many labels on my life and one thing I can be sure of is that he doesn't call me worthless. I was worth his son... His only son.
No matter how many times I mess up, I run away or I sin, his grace covers it.
No matter what chaos my life is in, he remains constant.

Here's what Matthew writes in chapter 10:
'What is the price of two sparrows - one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your father knowing it.
And the very hairs on your head are numbered.
So, don't be afraid, you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows'

'You are more than valuable' 
And so I chose to fit the label God has placed on me.
I chose to fulfil the plans God has called me to do and refuse to be weighed down by the insecurities and difficulties that have drained my spirit and tripped me up.

God is good all the time, he never fails and he is always constant.