Has anyone else struggled with understanding our identity in Christ?
Our oldest, Peter, was about ten months old when I found myself struggling to believe I had any significance whatsoever. I’d gone from being the center of our women’s ministry at church to what felt like being placed on the furthest back corner of the very highest shelf.
I’d rooted my identity in being a military wife, a women’s ministry director, Bible study leader and teacher And then, after we adopted Peter, I stepped back from most of the roles where I’d found my significance. Who was I really?
Though I’d chosen to be a stay-at-home mom, my life felt empty. Friends continued in their roles serving at our church, serving their families, making connections with each other.
While I . . . I was grappling with what my calling as a mom looked like.
What is our identity in Christ?
Whether we only recently began to believe in Jesus, or we’ve walked with Him for years, we sometimes need reminders of our identity in God’s eyes.
Two foundational truths
We are loved by God
Completely. Perfectly. Passionately. God created each of us, knew us before the beginning of time. Jesus died for us. Why? Because He loves us.
We are children of God
But we are not cookie-cutter molds of each other. God crafted us with our own set of DNA, passions, “super powers” or things we’re good at. He has a purpose for each of us.
6 Sure Ways to Embrace Our Identity in Christ— God crafted us with our own set of DNA, of passions, of “super powers” or things we’re good at. He has a purpose for each of us #tellhisstory #identity #faith Click To TweetBeing a “child of God” looks different as we grow in our relationship with Him. A kindergartner has one kind of relationship with parents, and a college student or a new mom (or dad) has a more mature relationship.
Teens push against their parents as they grow toward adulthood. We sometimes do that with our Father. As we seek to know Him, our love for God grows and deepens. We won’t always be obedient. We won’t always follow Him whole heartedly, but we are still God’s kids. And He still loves us.
How do we embrace our identity in Christ?
Understanding our identity in Christ and how this impacts the way we live is crucial. When we embrace our identity in Him, we live differently. More confidently.
6 Sure Ways to Embrace Our Identity in Christ— When we embrace our identity in Him, we live differently. More confidently #tellhisstory #ouridentity #faith Click To Tweet6 ways to embrace our true identity
- Be sensitive to what God speaks to us in each phase of our walking with him. The way we look, think, and act shapes our relationship with Him. But, we’ll always be a child of God. Children are called to obey their parents. As we obey God, we’ll grow deeper in our relationship with Him.
- Get to know God by spending time in His word. When we make it a discipline to read and meditate on what God says in the Bible, we better understand His character . . . which enables us to grasp how He views and loves us. Which enables us to embrace our identity in Christ.
- Apply the truths God shows us in His word. Is this easy all the time? NO. But, when we trust God enough to do what he tells us in His word, we will grow in our understanding of our identity in Christ.
- Remember God’s truth, especially when we struggle with understanding who we are in the world. We are loved. We are His kids. Basing our identity on these realities makes it easier for us to not feel as condemned when our views are in opposition to the culture.
- Don’t compare ourselves with other believers. Remember we are unique. No two people are completely identical. As we seek to understand the giftings, the strengths He’s given, the issues we struggle with in the light of believing we are loved unconditionally and completely, we will live in the identity God has uniquely given us.
- Seek God’s plans for our lives. God created each of us to carry out certain works, plans he crafted before our planet ever began to spin around the sun. We each have a purpose only we can fulfill. When we ask the Lord to both reveal our purpose and enable us to complete it, He will help us.
Conclusion
On that long ago day, as my tears fell before the Lord and I asked Him to show me anything that indicated I had value, He asked me this:
“If no one else loved you, and I was the only one who loved you, would that be enough for you?”
This question rocked my understanding of my identity. But, it also opened my eyes to heart beliefs that needed to be realigned. As I began to view my identity—my value—through the filter of His love, my heart became free of the chains of people-pleasing and seeking approval from humans.
When we view ourselves through the lens of God’s love, it alters the way we understand our lives. When we know we are always God’s children—He’ll never disown us—and we embrace the truth we are loved by Him, God transforms us.
Our Father wants us to remember that, even when the world tries to color us with unfair, inaccurate strokes, it doesn’t matter. What matters is that we believe we are His. This is enough to solidify our identity in Christ.
What about you? When have you struggled to understand your identity? What has shaped your understanding of our identity in Christ?
Next week, we’ll be meeting and linking up at Lisa Jordan’s place!
***One final note: I had some unexpected things come up this week. I will be slower than normal in responding to comments and visiting sites. Thanks for understanding! 😊
Come share your story at the Tell His Story linkup. Connect and be encouraged by like-minded friends! #tellhisstory #linkup Click To TweetMost weeks, I link up with Grace and Truth, Anita Ojeda, Instaencouragements, and sometimes Let’s Have Coffee. Come join and read more encouraging posts!
Each week we gather here as storytellers, word weavers, and encouragers to make His name known. Our story is God’s story and this small corner of the blogging world, where we come together each Tuesday, needs you. This is a place where poetry, snapshots, prayers, and stories find a safe spot to nod in agreement that what we have to say matters. I am glad you are here and would love to have you join the #TellHisStory community. Add your own encouraging post through the link below. Spread some love by visiting your neighbor and leaving your own encouragement. Click here to read more about the #TellHisStory community and find a button to add to your site.
Each week we gather here as storytellers, word weavers, and encouragers to make His name known. Our story is God’s story and this small corner of the blogging world, where we come together each Tuesday, needs you. This is a place where poetry, snapshots, prayers, and stories find a safe spot to nod in agreement that what we have to say matters. I am glad you are here and would love to have you join the #TellHisStory community. Add your own encouraging post through the link below. Spread some love by visiting your neighbor and leaving your own encouragement. Click here to read more about the #TellHisStory community and find a button to add to your site.
I especially connect with your second way to embrace our identity in Christ. Relationship is so important! The more we get to know Him, the more easily we will be able to recognize His voice. And, the closer we get to Him, the more we will feel His hand on our lives. What a blessing to be chosen by Him!
Joan, thanks for visiting! Yes, getting to know Jesus more draws us closer to Him. And this helps us become more attuned to His voice. We are truly blessed to be chosen and loved by Him!
When I started seeing myself as God sees me – and I think Psalm 139 helped there – it changed my comfort level about myself – I think the rhema understanding of being a Daughter of The King liberated me – and gave me an identity that became the umbrella everything else came under. I wish I had understood that identity when I was much younger!
Maryleigh, seeing ourselves as God sees us is so freeing, isn’t it? Psalm 139 is my favorite psalm for the reasons you mention here. I’m with you . . . wishing I’d understood my identity in Jesus when I was much younger than I was when I figured it out. 🙂
Jeanne, this post is so encouraging. I feel that our identity changes with the seasons of our life, and if we do not have our true identity rooted in Christ, we can easily lose our way. Such great tips for staying grounded in the shifting sands of life!
Donna, you share such wisdom here. Yes, no matter what’s happening in our lives, if we root our identity in Jesus we can stay grounded, even when life shifts us fore and aft. Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts!
Jeannie, as a doer I can so relate to your struggle. We don’t mean to draw our worth from what we do. I didn’t realize I did until I married and moved to another state and had to start over. Decades later, God called me to start over again. These seasons of change showed me I’d placed too much value on what I did instead of whose I was.
You’re so right, Deb! We never intend to draw our worth from our roles, but we do tend to trip into that sometimes, don’t we? Those starting over seasons are definitely wake up invitations to evaluate where we’re at with the Lord at each phase in our lives. thank you for sharing a bit of your story!
Yes, I’ve been there Jeanne!
Not necessarily in my identity in Him but definitely my usefulness for Him. This was especially poignant when these chronic health issues interrupted my life.
I definitely felt like I was a piece of antique furniture placed into storage!
But over time God has revealed such treasures of Himself to me that I see that ‘being’ with Him far outweighs the ‘doing’ for Him.
And a piece of antique furniture still has great value no matter where it’s placed! 😉
Blessings,
Jennifer
Jennifer, having life changes or changes in our health can rock us for a little while, can’t they? God is so faithful to remind us of Who He is and what the Main Thing is. We just need to keep our eyes focused on Him. I loved your analogy of antique furniture. 🙂
Thank you Jeanne 😊
Oh Jeanne, I am hearing you loud and clear about those life-transition identity crises. I’ve felt one building in me for some time, and when my soon-to-be senior graduates next year … well, let’s just say I’m trying to trust God now to prepare me for the mystery of what’s next. This question comforts my heart as I think about how my girls are “needing” me less and less as they grow older: ““If no one else loved you, and I was the only one who loved you, would that be enough for you?” Praying for you this week, my friend.
Lois, you and I are in the same place in mothering our youngest both graduating and preparing to fly the coop. 🙂 Praying now for God’s equipping and leading through the upcoming transitions. Thank you so, so much for your prayers. They are truly appreciated!
There is such freedom when we start to get the concept of our identity in Christ. Free to also serve as He calls us, as we no longer hide from fear of rejection. The rejection of people no longer matters, when our freedom in Christ prevails! I have felt that deep freedom, and being immersed deeply in His word daily was what brought me there. He keeps drawing me towards Him…even when I drift. Wonderful post on our identity in Christ.
Yes, Lynn! Grasping the concept that our identity is not defined by our roles, but by the One who loves us is freeing. God’s word is truly the best place to discover our identity, how God sees us, and how much He loves us. Thanks for sharing your thoughts here, friend!
I remember well what it felt like to step away from Bible teacher. It was most painful for me. I also remember the day I felt the Lord ask me, “If I never did another thing for you, would you still love Me?” The two experiences were years apart but today they have been brought together. The Lord desires for us to be assured of His love – not because of what we do, not for what He does for us – simply because of who He is. Thank you so much, Jeanne, for reminding me this morning!
PS – You are still teaching and leading and sharing His truths, just in a different way 🙂 Praying for you this morning!
Ahhh, Joanne. It sounds like God asked us similar “come to Jesus” questions. Everything you shared here is truth. And thanks for your PS encouragement and your prayers!
Oh Jeanne … I absolutely hear what you’re saying … that was my experience when we re-settled here and I no longer had any hard won titles, name plates, or official roles in ministry. No one really cared who I was … or what I had offered in the past.
It was a humbling season of uncertainty, frustration, struggle. It took me too long to reclaim my true identity again.
I’m so grateful that Christ completely defines who we are. This identity is eternal, it outshines any earthly hats we’ve donned along the way. There’s so much peace in that truth.
I hope all is well on your end, friend …
Linda, yes, those seasons of not “doing” are most definitely humbling. They can also be the ones that best enable us to discover our identity first and foremost is, “child of God, loved, cherished.” Yes and yes, I’m so glad Jesus is the One who defines who we are. Your words speak so much truth my friend. Thank you for always being a voice of empathy and truth in this space.