There are many instances where a character of the Bible is renamed - either by God or by the circumstances they have been through.
Abram became Abraham.
Jacob became Israel.
Simon became Peter.
Saul became Paul.
And that's just a few examples. In fact, the Bible says that we all get a new name when we become believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. We become known as children of God, co-heirs with Christ, redeemed, and many other fantastic names.
But why all the renaming?
In counseling, we do something called "reframing." Think about this for a moment: the frame in which you put a treasured family photo can either enhance the picture or it can make it look ordinary. Maybe you put the picture in a frame that has just the slightest hint of blue that brings out the blue in some family member's eyes. Maybe the frame has just the right shade of red that highlights the fall leaves in the background. When you pick the right frame, the picture takes on a whole new look. It has new meaning. It's more noticeable to those who might see it in your home.
Reframing means we look at a situation in a totally different light, thus bringing out a whole new perspective on the events. We see it for what it really is and not what we thought it was. It's kind of the same thing with renaming people in the Bible. Their new name describes who they are becoming through God's work in their lives - not who they were.
In a recent Bible study, the writer mentioned Rachel. While dying in childbirth with her last son, she named him Ben-Oni, which meant "son of my trouble." (Genesis 35:18) Jacob renamed the child Benjamin, which meant "son of my right hand." A lot better name to be known by for the rest of your life, don't you think? The author then asked the question, "Is there some situation in your life that you need to rename?"
And it got me thinking. There are several that I could rename.
Maybe what I called a curse is actually a blessing.
Maybe what I called a loss is actually great gain.
Maybe what I called pain is actually God's provision.
Maybe what I called an inconvenience is actually a privilege.
Maybe what I called a limp is actually a reminder of God's work in my life.
Maybe what I called a "thorn in the flesh" is actually God's power at work within me.
Maybe what the enemy has called "shame" in you is actually your opportunity to witness of God's grace.
Maybe that disability is actually a super power!
Maybe that illness is going to bring about your healing in one way or another.
Maybe that defeat means victory is just around the corner.
So friend, what is it that you need to rename today? Ask God. I bet He already has a name picked out!
*For further reading, see Rachel and Leah by Nicki Koziarz or Remember God by Annie F. Downs.
Abram became Abraham.
Jacob became Israel.
Simon became Peter.
Saul became Paul.
And that's just a few examples. In fact, the Bible says that we all get a new name when we become believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. We become known as children of God, co-heirs with Christ, redeemed, and many other fantastic names.
But why all the renaming?
In counseling, we do something called "reframing." Think about this for a moment: the frame in which you put a treasured family photo can either enhance the picture or it can make it look ordinary. Maybe you put the picture in a frame that has just the slightest hint of blue that brings out the blue in some family member's eyes. Maybe the frame has just the right shade of red that highlights the fall leaves in the background. When you pick the right frame, the picture takes on a whole new look. It has new meaning. It's more noticeable to those who might see it in your home.
Reframing means we look at a situation in a totally different light, thus bringing out a whole new perspective on the events. We see it for what it really is and not what we thought it was. It's kind of the same thing with renaming people in the Bible. Their new name describes who they are becoming through God's work in their lives - not who they were.
In a recent Bible study, the writer mentioned Rachel. While dying in childbirth with her last son, she named him Ben-Oni, which meant "son of my trouble." (Genesis 35:18) Jacob renamed the child Benjamin, which meant "son of my right hand." A lot better name to be known by for the rest of your life, don't you think? The author then asked the question, "Is there some situation in your life that you need to rename?"
And it got me thinking. There are several that I could rename.
Maybe what I called a curse is actually a blessing.
Maybe what I called a loss is actually great gain.
Maybe what I called pain is actually God's provision.
Maybe what I called an inconvenience is actually a privilege.
Maybe what I called a limp is actually a reminder of God's work in my life.
Maybe what I called a "thorn in the flesh" is actually God's power at work within me.
Maybe what the enemy has called "shame" in you is actually your opportunity to witness of God's grace.
Maybe that disability is actually a super power!
Maybe that illness is going to bring about your healing in one way or another.
Maybe that defeat means victory is just around the corner.
So friend, what is it that you need to rename today? Ask God. I bet He already has a name picked out!
*For further reading, see Rachel and Leah by Nicki Koziarz or Remember God by Annie F. Downs.
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