When they let me out of prison, I held my head up high
Determined I would rise above the shame
But no matter where I’m living, the black mark follows me
I’m branded with a number on my name

I’d like to hold my head up and be proud of who I am
But they won’t let my secret go untold
I paid the debt I owed them, but they’re still not satisfied
Now, I’m a branded man, out in the cold

The above lyrics, the reflections of a former prisoner, were taken off a hit-song recorded by American country music star Merle Haggard, titled Branded Man. Merle certainly knew what it was like to be a Branded Man, since he spent time in prison, including the dreaded San Quentin Prison.

Have you been “branded” by others?

I don’t know what it is about humans, but we seem to thrive on placing brands on people.

We hear terms like “loser”, “failure”, “cheat”, “addict”, “gossip”, “prison bird”, “fat”, “ugly” and more being used on people.

Partners use insulting names on each other, with much regret later.

Parents sometimes use brands like “fool”, “idiot” and “stupid” on their children, snuffing out the light inside them in the process.

Sadly, many times we accept the branding put on us by others and live our lives believing that lie.

Personally, I was branded in my life growing up too.

I was very sick and a chronic asthmatic for most of my childhood and teenage years. In our society, I’m sure some people would have branded me as a child who had brought bad luck to the family. Thankfully, my parents didn’t think so.

I also struggled with exams in my schooling days and many times others would crack jokes about my failures.

Finally, I married late in life and sometimes had to hear unkind remarks about my singlehood, especially at weddings. Believe me, it wasn’t funny!

The value God places on us

The good news, however, is that whatever people say or think of us, what really matters is what God thinks of us.

Thankfully, the Scriptures show us time and again that God never brands us negatively. Instead, He places great value on us – so much value, in fact, that He gave His only Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to die for us.

The Bible also says that God knows us by name – our real name, and not the branded names others have placed on us.

Here are some powerful verses that endorse God’s goodness over His children:

• “You (God) knit me together in my mother’s womb” (Psalm 139:13)
• “I (God) have summoned you by name, you are mine” (Isaiah 43:1)
• “I am fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14)
• “You will forget the shame of your youth” (Isaiah 54:4)
• “I have called you friends” (said by Jesus in John 15:15)
• “Yet to all who received Him (Jesus), to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become the children of God” (John 1:12)

In Jesus, you are a child of God! So, today, stop believing the names others have placed on you, and believe the truth of what God thinks of you. It will change your entire outlook on life and give you new courage to fulfil your God-given destiny.

No longer useless, but useful

Coming back to some of the examples given earlier: Merle Haggard, the prisoner, was pardoned by the then-Governor of California, Ronald Reagan, who later became President Reagan, and never looked back. He went on to become a legend in country music.

As for me and the personal examples shared earlier: By the grace of God alone, He healed me of all my childhood sickness and gave me a purpose to live for. After overcoming my school failures, God helped me to impact lives in amazing ways I never imagined. And finally, He blessed me with a lovely wife and two wonderful sons.

The book of Philemon in the New Testament tells the story of how the Apostle Paul mentored a runaway slave named Onesimus (meaning “useful”), who was branded as “useless”.

In verse 11, Paul tells Onesimus’ former master Philemon: “Formerly he (Onesimus) was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.” That’s how God removes our insults!

So, once again I say: Don’t accept the brands people place on you. Instead, believe what God says in His Word, live for His glory, and be amazed by what Jesus will do in and through you. You have great value in Him.

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