Identity: (noun) the fact of being who or what a person is. Just looking at that definition helps me realize why we as women have such struggles with our own identities. The knowledge that we will be identified by who or what we are is a heavy weight to bear.
Some find identity in titles such as wife, mom, friend, believer, grandmother. Some find identity in their home, health, or hobbies. Others measure value in the number on the scale, the number in the bank, the number of likes on our social media, or number of their extra-curricular activities. These identifying factors are not wrong in and of themselves, however, seeking these things to find our identity and worth is a well that will run dry. Any of the descriptors listed (and any other earthly ones you can think of), will disappoint. Every last one of them will let us down because they were not created to hold us up. Putting our trust in a title will break us eventually, as even our titles can change over time.
So what’s the secret to finding our true identity? It is to look deeply into the unchanging, unshakable Truth of who God says we are. It’s not enough to read what God says about us. We must believe it and live like we mean it. If we take our God-given identity to heart, here are some Truths we can stake our life on:
You were wonderfully made by God.
“I will praise you because the have been fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wondrous, and I know this very well.” –Psalms 139:14
You are royalty.
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” –1 Peter 2:9
God is always for you.
"If God is for us, who is against us?” –Romans 8:31
Our God is greater than all things.
“You have conquered them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” –1 John 4:4
You can conquer the struggle by His strength.
“In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” –Romans 8:37
You are filled with the same power that raised Jesus from the dead!
“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” –2 Corinthians 13:13
You have been placed here at this time for a purpose.
“From one man he has made every nationality to live over the whole earth and has determined their appointed times and the boundaries of where they live.” –Acts 17:26
God gives us titles and adjectives and people in our lives to enrich our lives, not define them. Let’s be sure we constantly look to One who made us for the truth of who and what we are. The things that make you you and me me were created by God and for God, so let’s listen to His voice and live like we believe it. That’s the secret to finding (and enjoying!) our true identity!
Meet the Author!
Heather McAnear is a wife, mom, author and speaker with a passion for sharing God's truth to help women understand their uniquely beautiful design and how to use it for God's glory! She loves teaching young married couples with her husband, homeschooling their three children, traveling the world, enjoying good chocolate and long conversations in coffee shops. CRBC has been her church home for two decades and she is thrilled to be part of the Women's Ministry team, helping women connect with each other and grow in their walk with Jesus!