Living Changed: IdentitySample

The Introduction

My identity was altered in high school. Rumors and verbal abuse led me to believe that I wasn’t enough—not smart enough, pretty enough, or funny enough. Believing this lie, I started spending my time trying to measure up to the world’s expectations. What a slippery slope! One day at a time, I lost my footing. Eventually, I became completely absorbed by my false identity. The lies spoken over and over quickly became the truth I lived by. 

As we filter harsh moments in our mind, we have two choices. We either accept them as truth and live by them, or we discard them and live by God’s truth. If we accept them, lies such as “I am unlovable” or “I don’t matter” take root, allowing our false identity to take over and our inner struggle to begin.

Without a relationship with Christ, we have no other option than to define ourselves by this self-made truth. But salvation changes that. Once we have a relationship with Christ, His truth can guide our thoughts and decisions. His truth proclaims that we still matter when we get fired, or that we do add value even though people overlook our ideas. Why? Because Christ is in us, and He is the identity from which all life stems. He is enough for us and our circumstances.

But here’s the catch: we have to choose it. Knowing and believing the truth of our identity doesn’t just happen. This is where most of us run into a problem. We can’t seem to deviate from our current path. Maybe we don’t see the necessity, or maybe we feel it’s just too hard. Whatever the reason, it’s not a good one. If we can start pursuing His truth, it will change our lives. 

I gave my life to Jesus at age seven but did not choose freedom until college. The road to healing was filled with lots of tears and doubt. But I am changed. I am now different. You can be different, too. You can be changed.

What lies do you believe?  

What past and present experiences cause you to second guess who you are in Christ? 

How can you start choosing God’s truth?