Who You Think You Are
Who are you?
When you really think about that, what comes to mind?
Better yet, who do you think you are?
I am...
Identity is something that I've struggled with over the years. I thought I knew the truth, but did I really? I had a hard time believing the truth about who I really am because I had been believing a lot of lies. I didn't realize it at the time. I wanted to fit in, be accepted, and be loved. I searched for it in the wrong places, and when it didn't work out, I found myself believing lies. Lies that I'm not worthy, I'm not enough. Lies that said I keep messing up, I'm not as good as that person, pretty as that person, I’d be better if I did this, I'm not really forgiven for my past, I'm not important, I'm not noticed, I'm never going to be good enough. These are lies. And they tear you down and distract you from the truth. I didn’t know who I was; I didn’t know my true identity.
There's a difference in what you think to be true and what really is true. What I believe changes me. What I believe about myself shapes me. What I believe God says about me breaks the chains that hold me back.
This is something that has taken years for me to grasp.
Here's where I went wrong. I let my voices, the ones around me, and the world define me. They filled my desire for acceptance and value. Friends and relationships defined me; but that’s not who I really am; it’s not who God says I am.
There's a quote from Christine Caine that says, "If you don't know what God really says, then you will believe what anyone says. They don't define your life, God does. You have to know what God really says about you". So, what does God say about me?
In Isaiah 43:4-7: God says, "Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you. I give men in return for you, peoples in exchange for your life. Fear not, for I am with you... bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the end of the earth, everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, which I formed and made."
God created us, in His image, and when we messed up, He gave His only son for us, without second thought. God gave His everything so that we could live. He didn't stop, He didn't say we were too far gone, He came after us, and fought for us because He wants us. We don't have to be afraid to come to Him. He tells us to come as we are, but don’t stay that way. What He says changes our lives, and when we believe it, when we live for Him, we will become more like Him. His desires will become ours; our hearts will be forever changed forever. Our life will start to reflect His love.
He calls us His sons and daughters.
He handcrafted us.
He calls us.
He gives us a name.
He says we're worthy.
He makes room for us.
Only God can tell you who you are, no one else.
You're not who your anxiety says you are.
You're not who your depression says you are.
You're not who your anger says you are.
You're not what you've done.
You're not your past.
You're not defined by what any worldly thing says you are.
With the Father, there's always a place for me.
He doesn't tear you down with names. He builds you up in love.
He loves you.
He made you.
He wants you.
What's holding you back from believing the truth about who you are?
So, who does God say I am?
I'm a daughter. I am loved. I am free. I am seen. I am beautiful. I am forgiven. I am wanted. I'm created, crafted, chosen.
Who are you?
You're a daughter. You're a son. Be your true self, who God created you to be. Say it. Believe it. Repeat it every day. Post it on your walls. Write it where you can see it.
God, You are who You say You are. I am who You say I am. My identity is found in You alone. You are enough and therefore I am enough. You are love and therefore I am loved. Because of You, I am. And no one can tell me different. Only You are truth. And what You say about me is true.
We were created in love to love God and love others. Rejoice in that. Press in to God, where you will find your true identity. And if you start to fall, go back to His word, what He says about you and read it again, pray through it, go back to Him every day.
- Kellie McAfee