Have you bought a new computer lately? This past weekend when I tried to pull something up on my computer, I found a black screen. There was no life left in the thing. It was plugged in and the battery had charged overnight; however, it still wouldn’t turn on.

Right after church I went to BestBuy to see what they had to offer. Fortunately, the sales associate, Stephen, knew practically everything about every computer they had available. He asked what I used a computer for and then took me right to the ones that would best serve my needs.

My choice had been narrowed down to two and I chose the Asus Notebook. I contemplated buying the iMac but knew it would take me days, if not longer, to learn a whole knew system, so I went with the PC. What I didn’t take in to consideration all of the changes in technology since purchasing my last computer. It has taken me some time to set up my new Windows computer and learn how to maneuver my  around. Now granted, Word is still Word and Facebook is still Facebook, but the screens look different and the way to operate those systems on this computer are slightly different. I chose this computer. I wanted it. I honestly needed it; yet it’s still not easy for me right now.

I know my mind can segue from one thing to another in ways that may be different but stick with me here. I started thinking about girls coming out of the life and how hard it is for them to transition from trafficking victim to survivor, even though it’s their choice. It’s good for them and they need to do it to thrive and in many cases survive. It’s because the world they find themselves is different than what they’re used to… it’s similar yet still foreign.

How do they manage? They have been through hell and back. They’ve been bought and sold, abused and used, beaten, threatened, discarded… the list goes on and on. How do they come back from that and live a happy, healthy life? I can only think of one way,

Jesus!

He makes it possible for them to get up in the morning and look in the mirror without shame or guilt holding them captive. Romans 8:1-2 says,

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.”

They do not have to listen to the lies the enemy spews about who they are and what they did. They can choose to listen to the Lord when He says,

I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.”

It may take time for a survivor to see themselves as Jesus sees them, but it’s worth the effort. They just need to keep reminding themselves of 2 Corinthians 5:17,

If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come.”

This isn’t just true of survivors of sex trafficking. This is true of anyone who has put their trust in Jesus. He takes our old life and transforms it into something new. It may feel a little different at first. It may take some getting used to and may require learning some new things, but it’s better.

I once heard someone say,

When Jesus changes your label it changes you, the way you treat others and the way you see yourself.”

In the world of manufacturing, only the one who manufactures a product can put a label on it. We’ve fallen for the lies of Satan and believed he has a right to tell us who we are and what we’re made of, but only God can do that [John 10:10].

Have you allowed Jesus to change your label? Have you surrendered your life to Him? If you haven’t, it’s as easy as ABC:

• A: Admit that you’re a sinner.
• B: Believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and He died for your sins and rose from the dead and now sits at the right hand of God the Father interceding on our behalf.
• C: Commit your life to Him, living it His way and under His direction.

If you’ve already done so and you’re still battling shame and guilt, then ask the Lord to help you shift your eyes from your old label to your new one. You do this by confessing the lies you’ve believed and asking God to show you what He says about you or the situation.

Love is God’s primary language and He will tell you what He thinks of you if you ask Him. You don’t need to be afraid. I promise you that you’ll like what He sees, even if it takes you a while to embrace it.

What does your label say?