Identity is a complex issue we try so hard to navigate. I mean, we live in a time where approval is praised over authenticity. Trust me, I know what I’m talking about. The spiritual battle with identity is universal. Feelings of unworthiness, not being good enough, insecurity, low self-esteem, and a lack of confidence these are all part of it. To be honest, saying it’s hard is an understatement. It’s strenuous. However, there’s one simple yet exquisite thing to ever come out of this journey called life: establishing and grounding yourself in the eyes and mindset of God. It’s a slow, ever-evolving process, but it’s so worth it. Ephesians 2:10 states that we are God’s masterpiece, so the moment we take this truth and run with it, things become more effortless and amazing.
Truthfully speaking, discovering who we are from the perspective of Christ is not a bed of roses or a ray of sunshine. It’s a difficult and often lonely journey, filled with temptations and hurdles. Nonetheless, our increasing faith is the reason we find ourselves seeking Him and His righteousness daily. Living in a society that is fixated on vanity over humility and being rooted in Christ makes it even more challenging. What I love about this is that knowing yourself is the most marvelous gift handed down to us by God, for He is the One who created us in His own image not man. He did all of this effortlessly. Achieving godly confidence is a journey of its own, I can admit, but it is one of dying to self and finding yourself in Him alone.
Psalm 56:3 is a testament to establishing ourselves and our identities in Christ. Growing up, I always lacked self-confidence and struggled to believe in myself. I endured phases of rejection and heartbreak, and it hurt a lot. I turned to writing poetry as a form of healing and artistic therapy. It helped alleviate loneliness and created moments of warmth and happiness. No, this is not a sob story of self-pity or feeling sorry for myself. This is me sharing my experiences of deep loneliness and how I am slowly but surely on the road to self-love, becoming content with who I am while still working on myself.
Matthew 5:13–14 reminds us that we are the light of the world and the salt of the earth. This serves as an indication that in a generation that prioritizes worldly standards over God’s truth, there is a calling placed upon us to be set apart and live a life of consecration and holiness, even if it means being unpopular. Romans 12:2 highlights the importance of not conforming to societal pressures or the ways of the flesh, but instead living a transformed life with a renewed mind, aligned with God’s will. So, let us walk in boldness, humility, and truth, acknowledging God in our lives and allowing Him to lead and guide us.
We have allowed a victim mentality to lead us astray, causing us to complain constantly and fail to appreciate even the smallest blessings. This mindset has created a multitude of problems and difficulties. This, unfortunately, has become part of our identity and I am not a fan of it at all. I’m sorry to say this, but it’s the truth, and it needs to change. Gratitude makes room for more, meaning that when we offer gratitude to God, we begin to focus on what is good and pleasing, even when it doesn’t feel like it. We cannot live a holy life while being like Pharaoh, whose heart was hardened because he refused to let the Israelites go and worship God. Healing begins the moment we center ourselves on Christ. Take heart in this: we were purchased at a ransom price, so let us not misuse the grace given to us by indulging in worthless things, but instead use it to glorify God by serving Him and being part of His kingdom.
