The importance of discovering who God says I am
Many of us spend our lives trying to fit into society’s mold, striving for external validation, and pursuing worldly desires that ultimately leave us feeling empty and unfulfilled.
However, when we understand our true identity in Christ, we find purpose, acceptance, and joy that cannot be found anywhere else. Our identity in Christ reminds us that we are loved, forgiven, and valuable in God’s eyes, no matter our circumstances in life.
This knowledge empowers us to live our lives differently. It equips us to navigate the challenges of life with confidence and hope.
On the contrary, a false identity has consequences. It causes us to live a life that doesn’t belong to us.
When I am fearful of rejection
The fear of rejection can easily become our identity when we let a turn-down affect who God says we are. An example of this is getting a rejection letter from a job opportunity, or when someone doesn’t acknowledge our opinion. This can tear our self-esteem and confidence. Although rejection is a natural part of life, it doesn’t define us.
God’s word calls us chosen.
“As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him—.”
1 Peter 2:4
In our lonely moments, Jesus understands us.
“He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces, he was despised, and we held him in low esteem,” says Isaiah 53:3.
When our past traumas and wounds define us
God did not promise a life without troubles. Some of us have childhood or relationship trauma, but all of these does not define us.
In God, we are set free from our past. Most importantly, we don’t have to carry those wounds year after year.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone, the new is here!”
2 Corinthians 5:17
This does not mean we have to minimize our pain, but we don’t have to carry the hurt because there is hope in God.
John 16:33 says: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
False Identity gives us a feeling of dissatisfaction
Living with a false identity will give us the feeling of dissatisfaction in areas where we thought we’d feel fulfilled.
We may get involved in life projects or leadership roles where God did not appoint us in search of purpose, or attempt to impress those around us.
Who Does God Say I Am?
Understanding our identity in Christ means recognizing the truth about who we are. And this absolute truth cannot be torn down due to hurt, trauma, or lies we’ve told ourselves. God’s truth stands on its own, empowers us, and gives us purpose.
God says I am redeemed and forgiven
Any embarrassing act we committed while we walked in sin, does not define us. In Christ, we are redeemed and forgiven. Jesus already paid the ultimate price for our sins, so we don’t have to walk with guilt.
We should walk in freedom through Jesus Christ – That’s our identity.
“I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you.”
Isaiah 44:22
God says I am chosen and loved
When God chose us, He set us apart for His purpose and covered us with His grace and mercy. Once we realize this, we begin to understand that our values and identity are not based on achievements, status, or possessions, but on who we are in Christ.
We are loved by God not because we are good or have earned His love, but because He is love. Let’s embrace this truth.
Romans 8: 37-39 says “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
God says I am victorious
We have been given the power to overcome all obstacles and challenges that come our way. Through Him, we have the authority to resist the devil and his schemes.
“For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.”
Deuteronomy 20:4
When we read God’s truth, we can breathe a sense of peace knowing God is in control. We don’t have to try to gain victory on our own. He already did the hard work for us.
Breaking Free from False Identities
When we read God’s truth about our lives and the kind of life he created for us, we begin breaking free from false identities. Even in times when we don’t feel God’s presence, or when we don’t see a way out, his truth about us remains.
Knowing God’s truth will fill us with purpose. This purpose is not driven by money, status, insecurity, trauma, or competition. This purpose is kingdom driven.
The steps to becoming free from false identities are acknowledging that our own thoughts have fogged our vision. It means surrendering to Him and laying down our false beliefs through prayer.
Then, we must seek God’s truth by reading his word. Our identity and who we were created to be is not a game of mystery. The truth has already been written.
When we know our identity in Christ, we can impact the world with the gifts God has given us.
1 John 3:1 says, “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.”
Prayer to be set free from false identities
Dear God,
Your word says that even when I’m rejected by humans, you call me chosen and precious. That’s who I am to you, and that’s all that matters. After all, you know my pain because you were rejected as well. Now, I surrender this feeling of low self-esteem and feeling insignificance. Only you know how it got there. You know the root of why I feel this way. I surrender the hurt, trauma, and false identities I’ve been carrying. Make me into a new creation, and allow me to live in the victory you already won. Redeem me, wash away my sins, and make me into a conqueror. I ask you to give me the grace to turn to you when times get hard. Don’t allow me to create my own victory. Help me to seek the truth and experience what it’s like to live as your child in the identity you gave me. In the name of Jesus, Amen.