HOW TO DEAL WITH THE FEAR OF OUTGROWING YOUR OLD SELF

Estimated reading time: 12 minutes

Have you been experiencing conflicts between the old you and the new you? How do you deal with outgrowing your old self? Where do you even start? You could even find yourself experiencing anxiety because it feels like you are losing control of who you truly are. If you have been experiencing this, join me as we journey on and find meaning to these experiences and how to deal with outgrowing your old self. First things first, you need to understand some reasons that cause you to outgrow your old self.

The 4 Main Reasons Why You have outgrown your old self.
How then can you deal with the fear of outgrowing your old self?
Scriptures that will help you embrace outgrowing your old self
Conclusion

The 4 Main Reasons Why You have outgrown your old self.

Healing from past wounds can lead to outgrowing your old self

We can all agree that the number one reason you have outgrown yourself is that you have healed from your past wounds. Childhood trauma and other kinds of pain experienced in the past can shape who you truly are. After all, our thoughts shape our actions. Therefore, if you have experienced trauma, you realize that your way of thinking is skewed compared to those who have not experienced it. Let me give you an example.

So, let’s say you grew up in a home where financial limitation was the norm, chances are that you will have an unhealthy relationship with money. This could look like you overspending or over saving, which is not healthy in any way. Another example would be how you were raised. If you experienced abandonment as a child, you might have an unhealthy attachment style, whether it be the anxious kind or the avoidant one. And now, when you go through the healing journey, you might find that your normal responses to money and relationships might change.

You see, the Bible tells us that God makes us whole and through the stripes of Jesus, we have been healed. And sometimes we might struggle to accept these changes because we can end up feeling lost and unsure of who we are. After all, change can be scary. But what I want you to know is that you cannot keep on holding on to that old version. You will block yourself out of the many experiences that life has to offer. Let me give you 2 Biblical examples.

Examples of people who experienced transformation after healing from past wounds:

The woman at the well had lived her life as a second-class citizen. So much so that she would go to draw water from the well in the heat of the day. Imagine that, however, after she encountered Jesus and He healed her, she went from having low self-esteem to being a powerful evangelist.

The second example is Moses. Because of being rejected by the Israelites, he became withdrawn and focused on tending to his father-in-law’s animals. However, after he encountered God at the burning bush, he went from cowardice to boldness. He became the one whom God used to deliver the Israelites from bondage.

What I am getting at is that you have not experienced the real you. There are so many facets of who you are that God wants to help you uncover. And it is through healing that this will happen. Let me ask you this: have you experienced transformation in such a way you cannot remember who you used to be? Does this scare you? Could it be you have outgrown your old self because you have healed from your past wounds? Well, now you have an idea why it is so. Your outlook on life changes when you encounter the healing power of God. You can never remain the same when you make Him the Lord of your life.

Change of company and environment can lead to you outgrowing your old self

Changing the people you hang out with or changing your environment can affect your view of life. And this can lead to you outgrowing your old self. Think about this for a second. Ever wondered why people warn you that you are the average of the people you spend time with? Your company is vital to how you live your life. And if a bad character corrupts good morals, then what about a good character? When you surround yourself with healed and whole people, you become like them. You will desire to experience the level of wholeness they have. And this will then lead to you making better choices and inadvertently end up changing.

And again, as you transform, your thinking will change. Soon enough, you will outgrow your old self. Remember, change starts in your mind. It is in your mind that you will fight the greatest battles. A change of environment will broaden your view of life. And sometimes this exposure can lead to you discovering more options in life. When this happens, again you could outgrow your old self.

Having a relationship with God

Although I pointed this out at the first point, I figured it needed to be a point on its own. The Bible tells us that as we behold the glory of God; He transforms us to look more like Him. Again, you can never encounter Jesus and remain the same. The more you grow in your relationship with Him, the more you become like Him. This inevitably means that you will outgrow your old self. After all, how will you think the same yet His word is alive? Don’t you think it will transform you?

Spending time with God through prayer, meditation, fasting, reading His word, fellowship, worship, and praise will lead to transformation in your life. Jesus is the Master healer. He promises that when we come to Him, He will take our yokes and give us His, which is easy to bear. This then means because you will not carry the weight of the world on your shoulders, you will experience a mindset shift leading to outgrowing your old self.

A change in media consumption could lead to you outgrowing your old self.

Again, what you consume affects your thinking and ultimately your perspective of life. Therefore, if in the past you had been consuming toxic media and you stop you will outgrow your old thinking. Isn’t it interesting how our minds can rewire themselves? You can change a neural path when you change your thinking.

To do so, you need to replace your former thoughts with new ones. And this can happen by replacing the lies with the truth. The Bible, for one, is a great source of truth. There are other videos, podcasts, books, and other media outlets that can help you replace your old thoughts with new ones.

How then can you deal with the fear of outgrowing your old self?

Change is not always easy. And sometimes the thought of becoming someone different and thinking differently can be overwhelming and scary, to say the least. You might even struggle to find your space in the world after experiencing some major transformation. And to help you with that, here are 3 keys you can use to overcome the fear of outgrowing your old self.

Embracing your journey will help you outgrow your old self.

Sometimes the best thing to do is to go with the flow. Don’t try to overthink or over-analyze. Just embrace this journey you are on of unfolding and rediscovering yourself. Don’t stay stuck in your old ways. Permit yourself to embrace the new you and enjoy this new version. One way you can do this is by embracing solitude. Make it a habit to spend time alone. Get to sit with your thoughts and with the Holy Spirit. Hear from Him concerning your true self and make room to embrace that.

Maybe you were set on getting into the corporate space or being in a particular industry, and because of your mind transformation, you realize you want something different, embrace it. Who knows, God could be redirecting you. Or maybe this could be His will for you after all. Don’t allow the investment you put in the past to hinder you from stepping into something new. Life should be an adventure, not some certain path. Allow the uncertainties and the changes within to shine.

It is okay to reveal your new self to the world. And if the surrounding people don’t get it, minimize your interactions with them and find a new community. Of course, you should ensure that God is the one controlling your actions. And that His word remains as your guiding light. But don’t be afraid to change. Embrace this new you. Embrace your journey and celebrate every milestone you make towards becoming a new you.

And always remember that there are layers that God wants you to unfold and that means you will go through seasons where you will have to shed the old self to embrace your new self. This is just a normal part of life. Let me ask you this, are you happy with your old self? Will remaining the same get you to where you want to be? If the answer is no, then don’t be scared of outgrowing your old self. Look at Paul in the Bible. Who would have known that He would end up writing two-thirds of the New Testament? Imagine if he had remained stuck in his ways and not allowed himself to outgrow his old self.

Don’t block your blessings because you are afraid of change. Sometimes changing your filters could be all you need to step into the blessings God has for you.

Explore this new side

Don’t stop at embracing. And take the next step and explore this new side. Try new things. Step outside your comfort zone. When you do this, you will energize this newfound self. Remember, if you want to continue becoming, then you need to feed this side of you. This might look like you trying new hobbies, going to places you otherwise never would, or simply just stepping out of your comfort zone. It is okay to shift gears regarding your desires. And when that happens, embrace it and go ahead and explore it. Do the new you.

Be a doer and not just a thinker or a wisher. This life is meant to be experienced. Follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit even when it does not align with what you want for yourself. Trust that He has a better plan for your life because it is true. What new thing do you want to embark on this year? What have you always wanted to do but haven’t had the guts to? Let this be the year where you fully step into your new identity unapologetically. Who would you be if you let go of the old self? Go ahead and just be!

Find a community of like-minded people

Remember when I told you you are an average of the 5 people you spend time with? Well, if you want to overcome the fear of outgrowing your old self, then embracing community is paramount. Find people who are on the same path as you. And minimize the time you spend with those that fuel your old self. What you feed, will grow.

And whenever your old self comes knocking, remind yourself that this new path leads to wholeness and freedom. Find the why behind your new journey. This will help you hold on when temptations to go back start lurking at you. Do you have a reason that grounds you? Why did you start the journey, to begin with? What prompted you to desire that change? When you find your why, you will find it easier to embrace your new self. Often we need to have a reason so that we can remain focused.

After all, the enemy does not want you to experience wholeness. Therefore, he will try to bring an opportunity to keep you bound. But when you have a strong why, you will be able to avoid that particular temptation.

Scriptures that will help you embrace outgrowing your old self

Romans 12:2

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will.

2 Corinthians 3:18

And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

Ephesians 4:20-24

But that isn’t what you learned about Christ. Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy

Isaiah 43:19

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.

Jeremiah 29:11

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Conclusion

Outgrowing your old self is one of the best ways to step into the fullness of who God created you to be. Often we assume that change comes with time. However, some changes can be invoked through transformation. After all, how will you keep on doing the same thing and expect different results? It is time for you to come up higher. Allow the Holy Spirit to introduce you to your true self. There is a version He wants you to unleash to the world. After all, you are a solution carrier. And the longer you stay stuck in your old ways, the harder your life gets.

Trying to stay stuck in your old self will leave you miserable and will have you stuck with all these limitations that hinder your growth. Jesus died so you can experience freedom. That is why He reminds us that who He sets free is free indeed. Why then would you not permit yourself to walk in the freedom He so painfully bought for you? Why not give this new version a chance? Higher is waiting. If you are looking for encouragement to step into the unknown by allowing yourself to outgrow the old self, then find testimonies of people who struggled to let go of their old self.

Let their testimonies encourage you. After all, we overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the words of our testimonies. Let this post assure you that it’s okay to come up higher. There is a new life waiting for you on the other side of letting go of your old self.

HOW TO DEAL WITH THE FEAR OF OUTGROWING YOUR OLD SELF

The 4 Main Reasons Why You have outgrown your old self.

Healing from past wounds can lead to outgrowing your old self

Examples of people who experienced transformation after healing from past wounds: