Growing in Faith and Freedom

Andrea Rose-Butler
3 days ago
4 min read

Week 1: My Identity — Who Am I When I’m Not Performing?

So many of us move through the world wearing roles, masks, and expectations like a second skin. We are caretakers, high achievers (or underachievers), jokesters, the strong ones — we’ve mastered performance. But what happens when we strip all of that away?

This week, we explored the question: Who am I when I’m not performing?

To help you reflect, here are some soul-searching questions:

Who am I when no one is watching? When I’m alone with no one to impress, please, or gain approval from — what parts of me remain?
What roles do I play in my everyday life? Caregiver, leader, peacekeeper, entertainer… how much of my sense of self is tied to these roles?
When do I feel most like myself? Is it in nature, when creating, laughing with friends? What does that reveal about my core identity?
Do I feel pressure to perform? Where is that pressure coming from — society, family, trauma, cultural norms?
What would it look like to let go of performing — even briefly? How would I show up, speak, move, or rest?
Have I ever lost touch with who I am? If yes, what helped me find my way back?
What am I afraid people would see if I stopped performing?
What does living authentically mean to me? How can I start practicing it daily?

For me, this became real after leaving my abusive marriage. I had to rediscover who I was, separate from the unrealistic expectations of my husband, my church, and even my family. It was in the quiet time with God — in the healing and unlearning — that I began walking in my true purpose. The journey hasn’t been perfect, but it's a step forward. And that’s enough.

Week 2: Spiritual Warfare for the Modern Woman — Staying Armored Up

Our modern life brings spiritual battles cloaked in emotional overwhelm, relational tension, and mental fatigue. But as Paul reminds us in Ephesians 6:12, we wrestle not against flesh and blood... The enemy is not your coworker, your spouse, your family, or

yourself.

So how do we fight? With spiritual armor:

Belt of Truth – Ground yourself in God's Word.
Breastplate of Righteousness – Guard your heart through alignment with God.
Shoes of Peace – Walk in peace, not panic.
Shield of Faith – Block the darts of doubt and fear.
Helmet of Salvation – Protect your mind with your identity in Christ.
Sword of the Spirit – Declare God's Word. Speak it, live it.
Prayer – Your constant connection and weapon.

🛡️ Spiritual Warfare Tips:

Start your day with the Word before you scroll through your social media.
Declare scripture aloud over your life.
Guard your gates — your eyes, ears, and heart.
Pray strategically, not just emotionally.
Stay in community — the enemy thrives in isolation.

Let’s stop fighting for victory and start fighting from it.

Week 3: The Lies We Believe — Renewing Your Mind with God's Truth

The mind is a battlefield, and if we don’t identify the lies we’ve internalized, we will keep living beneath our God-given identity.

The Power of a Lie:

A lie believed as truth will affect your life as if it were true, even when it's not. Lies often stem from childhood wounds, cultural influences, or feelings of inadequacy.

💥 Common Lies & Biblical Truths:

Lie: I'm not enough. Truth: I am fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:14)
Lie: I’ll never change. Truth: Who the Son sets free is free indeed. (John 8:36)
Lie: My past disqualifies me. Truth: If anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

🧠 Steps to Renew Your Mind:

Identify the Lie — Listen to your self-talk.
Find the Truth — Use scripture to replace the lie.
Speak the Word — Declare truth daily. Post it where you’ll see it.

Don’t just think the Word. Speak it. Live it. Believe it.

Week 4: Breaking Up With Burnout — Rest, Sabbath & Spiritual Refill

If you’re emotionally, spiritually, or physically drained, this message is for you. Burnout is not your calling.

🚫 Burnout is:

Not a badge of honor
Not a spiritual gift
Not a requirement for your purpose

We’ve confused busyness with fruitfulness. But Jesus invites us in Matthew 11:28: Come to Me, all who are weary… and I will give you rest.

Rest isn’t weakness — it’s obedience.

Just as Martha, many of us serve but miss the presence of Jesus. Sabbath reminds us: You are not your productivity.

🕊️ How to Rest and Refill:

Build rest into your rhythm. Start your day with 10 minutes of quiet.
Create a Sabbath pocket. Can’t take a full day? Block out time each week to unplug.
Say yes to rest — and no to guilt. Rest is holy.

📝 Declaration: “I break up with burnout. I choose rest. I choose restoration.”

💝 Want help finding rest in your day? Download my free guide: “Finding Me Time in Your Busy Day.”

Final Thoughts

Faith and freedom are not destinations — they are a journey. Each week, we’ve peeled back a layer to get closer to the woman God created you to be.

So whether you're rediscovering your identity, fighting unseen battles, breaking mental strongholds, or simply catching your breath, you’re not alone.

Let’s grow in faith. Let’s walk in freedom. Let’s live empowered.

🗣️ Let’s Reflect Together: Which week spoke to you the most? What truth do you need to hold onto right now? Leave a comment or share this with a sister who needs encouragement.

✨ Until next time, keep living empowered — one step at a time