Identity Crisis

​Ladies, in order to know who you are, you must know whose you are. So many times in my life I’ve forgotten this truth, and tried to define myself by who I’m with, what I like, and what I’m good at, instead of Who created me. This was a challenge for me years ago in middle school, and even now in my twenties I still struggle with it from time to time. 
 
I know that I belong to God, and that who I am is not dependent on what others or myself may think, but sometimes I don’t remember that. I stress too much over getting perfect grades, fitting in that extra work out, or making a certain person like me, because I think that my success will give me more value. It can be mild at first, just taking up a bit more space in my thoughts than it should. But time and time again, when that guy left, my plans fell through, or that girl found a better friend, I’ve been left feeling hopeless.
 
Disappointments happen, there’s no way to avoid them. But disappointments are far greater when the thing letting you down is something you’ve anchored yourself and your identity to.  What I’ve learned overtime is that I cannot escape all pain, but I ease the affects by anchoring myself to the One who never changes. I was not created to find my identity in things that come and go, constantly causing me to look for a new source of self-value. I was created by God to be held tightly to Him, defined by Him, and experiencing all things through Him, and so were you!  When I’m rooted firmly in Christ and disappointment comes— like a friend letting me down, or a grade coming back lower than expected—I can weather the storm with strength and grace, because I know that who I am is not affected by my circumstance. Regardless of what happens, I belong to Christ, I have value in Him. Whatever I believe about myself or what others say is not true unless it aligns with God’s Word about me. God’s Word is full of promises that remind me who I am and Whose I am…
 
“I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.” Psalm 139:14
 
“For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7
 
Next time something goes wrong and you feel down and hopeless, remind yourself of who God says you are! Look to Him to find your identity, not the changing people and things of the world. It’s taken me years to learn this lesson, and I’m still on this journey along with you!  

Written By: Emily