Who Told You Who You Are?

That question, ‘Who told you who you are?” is one you should ask yourself, especially when you are trying to figure out who you are. When you are feeling lost or striving for more; more happiness, more fulfilment or more feeling alive, you are searching for your purpose and how to live it. That is when you seek out your true identity, your God-given identity. Ephesians 2:10 reminds us,  “For we are his handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for the good works that God has prepared in advance, that we should live in them.” (usccb.org)

Remember that the most important question is not “Who am I?” but “Whose am I?” When you begin there, identity becomes much clearer. You are a beloved child of God, created intentionally, gifted uniquely, and called purposefully. Everything else flows from that foundation. You don’t need to earn an identity that God has already given you.

The Voices That Shape Us

We allow many voices to shape us. Things we are told as children or names we were called. As a child, both my inquisitiveness and my communication was stifled. I was called “nosey” for asking questions or wanting to hear what was going on. In elementary school, tape was put on my mouth because I was told I talked too much. I was told that children were to be seen and not heard. These childhood labels did cause damage that needed to be healed and overcome.

Then there are also the expectations from culture, family, work and relationships. We are often told who to be as well as how to be. Our culture provides expectations for measuring our worth. The same goes for family, work and relationships. We are often not appreciated for who we are. Instead, we are molded to be who we are told to be. This causes pressure to prove your worth. The important question to ask yourself is,  “Who told you who you are?” Many women do live from identities assigned to them instead of identities given by God.

The World Gives Labels; God Gives Identity

Labels tell us what is too much, not enough, broken, invisible, successful and failed in us. The focus is always what is wrong or what needs to be improved even when it may appear to have a positive spin. Identity built on performance is unstable. Performance can fluctuate based on many unknowns and circumstances. But God never created us to earn worth. Reflect on Psalm 139:14, “I praise you, because I am wonderfully made; wonderful are your works! My very self you know.” (usccb.org)

This tells us that God’s identity for us is rooted in creation and love. That is to say that God made us as good, as loveable and uniquely with gifts and talents that are for a purpose. This, in itself, gives us value.  Galatians 2:20 confirms this, “yet I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me; insofar as I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God who has loved me and given himself up for me.” (usccb.org) Embrace this God-given identity.

False Identity Creates Misalignment

When you live in a false identity, it affects relationships, career, confidence, faith and purpose. 

• Relationships: When you are not true to your identity, you will find yourself unhappy in relationships because your needs are not met and you cannot honestly express yourself. 
• Career: When you are not using your God-given gifts and talents, you will consistently feel unfulfilled which leads to unhappiness or even depression. 
• Confidence: Your confidence will suffer because you will lose belief in yourself when you don’t measure up to who someone else thinks you are instead of being the awesome person God created you to be.
• Faith: Because you are living in a false identity, you will lose faith in yourself, in others and in God as things go wrong. 
• Purpose: In the end, you cannot live your true purpose if you are living in a false identity. You will begin to feel lost, unfulfilled and unhappy.

In other words, stop living for approval and start living from calling Living from approval or false identity causes a misalignment with who you innately are. You may receive some approval, but you will have to work very hard and the journey will make you unhappy. Alignment begins when you stop trying to become who the world expects and instead become who you were created to be.

Rediscovering Who God Says You Are

If you are feeling lost or in misalignment, rediscover who God says you are so you can live in alignment and purpose.  Here are some ways to do that:

• Spend time in scripture: The Bible is full of lessons on how to live in alignment.
• Notice repeated negative self-talk: Think before you speak. Replace negativity with positivity;
• Replace lies with truth: There is a chapter in “Rise. Align. Shine. Living Boldly in Faith, Purpose and Joy” that helps with this.  It is called “Speaking Life: Affirmation & Prayer-Aligning your thoughts and words with God’s truth.”
• Pray for clarity and healing: Surrender and ask God to guide you and heal you.
• Surround yourself with truth-speaking people: This is key to keeping you on the right path.

Always refer to Romans 12:2, “Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.” (usccb.org)

God Says Who You Are

The One who created you defines you. Remember that you cannot fully rise until you understand who you truly are. You do not have to become someone else to be worthy. God invites you to simply embrace who He created you to be.

Awaken to the false identities you’ve accepted.

Align yourself with God’s truth about who you are.

Shine by living confidently from your God-given identity and purpose.

Let’s pray together to uncover and embrace who God created us to be and to live that purpose with intentionality.

Dear Loving and Faithful God,

Thank you for creating me and giving me life and purpose.

I ask that You show me my  identity and put people in my life to help keep on an intentional path of purpose. Help me to recognize them for who they are as I begin to align myself with you.

I ask for healing from negativity, lies and fear.

I pray for confidence in Your design, in who You created me to be.

Help me to align myself to you.

In the Name of Jesus I pray,

Amen.