How would you respond if I asked you to describe your identity? Who are you? Your identity in Christ is far different from your personal identity which is commonly defined by your family role or job description. (I’m a Mom, or I’m a teacher, etc.) It also includes your personality traits, hobbies, likes and dislikes, etc. But these are just facts about you that change throughout your life. Let’s discover what God says about who you are.
Your Personal Identity
A cringe-worthy memory of my teen years reminds me how much we all feel a need to be liked; to be “worthy” in someone’s eyes.
I was a very tall and gangly “nerdy” gal which earned me many unpleasant nicknames- “zipper”, “stick”, etc.
I read in a teen magazine that you make more friends if you just smiled more. So as a reminder, I attached a bright yellow sticker to my notebook that said “smile”.
Yeah, I don’t remember that working well. (Apparently, a mouth full of glaring metal walking down the hall is unimpressive.)
I was depending on the approval of others to validate my worth.
I tried to meet their expectations and gain inclusion, not knowing my core identity was a daughter of God.
Have you ever felt inadequate, unappreciated, or unloved? The voices and expectations of the world can be mighty loud. There’s a better way to live.
Why Is It Important to Know your Identity in Christ?
Having a rock-solid understanding of your identity in Christ is essential to living your life in the way He intended. You don’t have to work to fit in or be someone you’re not.
Jesus has rescued you, redeemed you, and brought you into His family forever. You are a completely new person and perfect in His eyes!
“The Lord your God is with you; He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with His love, he will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17.
Who In the Bible Struggled with Identity?
Moses was a Hebrew castaway adopted and brought up in an Egyptian world. He didn’t “fit in” with the surrounding culture; he hid his true identity. During the enslavement of his people; he lived as royalty.
He made a huge mistake when he murdered an Egyptian and ended up in the wilderness.
When God comes to Moses and gives him a job to do, Moses has another identity crisis: “Who am I, that I should go…?” (Exodus 3:11)
He felt unworthy and incapable.
The world would tell Moses what a great candidate he was for the job. He had the inside intel on the palace and Pharaoh. He was smart and well educated in Egyptian ways.
But God knew Moses needed more than a pumping up of his self-image.
God did not base His remedy for Moses’ insecurity and identity crisis on who Moses was, but who God is.
Defined by God
God has the answer to our identity issues. It is about who He is and what He can accomplish in our lives if we let Him.
God’s answer to Moses and to us is this:
“I will be with you.” Exodus 3:12.
In all things, at all times, He is with us. Every problem, every feeling of inadequacy, every painful circumstance- He is there with abundant resources to offer us.
Finding Your Identity in Christ
God’s Word has a lot to say about your identity!
You are Created in His Image
We can go back to the very beginning of creation to see our worth and identity when God created us “in His image.”
Genesis 1:27–“So God created humanity in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female, he created them.”
Ephesians 2:10– “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” NLT.
God’s Unconditional Love
Absolutely nothing can separate us from Jesus’ love. He wants us to feel secure, safe and surrounded by His love.
Jeremiah 31:3– “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.”
“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” John 1:12.
Being physically born puts us into our family. Being born again of God’s family makes you spiritually alive. That means we look to our heavenly Father in complete trust for all the guidance, love, and protection we need. We can go to Him anytime in prayer, speaking whatever is on our mind.
Your Sins are Forgiven
Jesus, the Innocent one, died to atone for our sins. We, who are guilty, receive no punishment for our wrongs. Jesus’ work on the cross bridged the chasm that existed between us and God.
We have the gift of eternal life with Him as a secure promise. We could never accomplish this on our own. Why did He do this? His great love for us and the desire to be with us forever. No one will ever love you more!
John 10:11- “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
What Does God See When He Looks at Me?
He sees you as His precious child and a uniquely created member of His family. You are the apple of His eye; protected and safe. You can use biblical affirmations of who you are in Christ to remind yourself how He sees you.
Psalm 17:8- “Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings.”
Embracing your identity in Christ means you see yourself exactly as He sees you.
You are who He says you are, not believing the lies of the world. You are valuable and special to Him.
He made you in His image and willingly sacrificed His life for you. He has good works and plans for you!
You Are Fearfully and Wonderfully Made
On of the most personal and beautiful truths about your identity is found in Psalm 139. David describes a God who was intimately involved in every detail of who you are- long before you took your first breath.
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Psalm 139:13-14.
God didn’t assemble you carelessly. He knit you together- thoughtfully, intentionally, with purpose. Your personality, your gifts, the way you think and feel- none of it was an accident.
This matters because so many of us carry bits of doubt about whether we’re enough. We think we have too much of this, not enough of that. But Psalm 139 is God’s direct answer to those doubts. He saw you before the world did, and He called you wonderful.
That’s not just a catchy motivational phrase, it’s a declaration of your identity in Christ.
Obstacles to Faith in Your Identity
These rich truths and promises are amazing and comforting and empowering. Then why are we so quick to forget them?
I listened to the world’s definition of me at times. I heard their interpretation of my life’s circumstances.
Unresolved childhood sexual abuse left scars that made me see myself as “dirty” and “impure.”
Even after Jesus saved me, I always saw myself as entering Heaven and hiding in a back corner. I would be happy just to get a glimpse of His majesty and presence.
Surely I did not deserve the full “daughter of a King” treatment.
I felt judged for being divorced, a single parent, and even in remarrying. Many times it was Christians making me feel “less than.”
Sometimes we listen to the opinions of others instead of the promises of God. These falsehoods creep in and we believe them and let them rule our days.
When we feel discouraged, worthless, lonely, or rejected, it’s time to remind ourselves of our identity in Christ. If worry and anxiety are part of your struggle, you’re not alone. Here’s some encouragement on how to stop worrying and trust God.
Take refuge in His Word, claim His promises, and live in His love and hope. Entrenching His promises deep in our hearts will help us when needed!
You are In Christ
Ephesians 1:3-14 is a beautiful reminder of some of the many blessings we have through the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Throughout this passage, you’ll notice the phrases “In Him” and “in Christ” repeated again and again. Our identity is not based on our past, our feelings, or the opinions of others. It is rooted in Jesus.
Here are just a few of the truth God speaks over His children in this passage:
- You are blessed with every spiritual blessing
- You are loved and chosen by God
- You are holy and without fault in His eyes
- You have been adopted into God’s family
- You are forgiven and redeemed through Christ
- You have received wisdom, understanding, and an eternal inheritance
- You have been given the Holy Spirit as God’s promise that you belong to Him
What a powerful picture of our identity in Christ. We are chosen, forgiven, loved, and securely His.
Want to Go Deeper with Your Daughter?
If this topic has stirred something in your heart, imagine exploring it together with your daughter, (or sister, aunt, friends, Bible study group…)
The Mother-Daughter Connection series is built around a four week schedule of walking through Psalm 139 and discovering what it means to be fearfully and wonderfully made. Each session includes Scripture, discussion questions, a hands-on activity, and a closing prayer- everything you need to open the conversation and let God do the rest.
Whether you are navigating comparison, self-doubt, or just need to hear what God says about you, this series meets you right where you are.
Explore the Fearfully and Wonderfully Made series and start the conversation. You will find it in my Free Bible Printables page.
Believe What God Says About You
It’s all a bit overwhelming, isn’t it? We should be able to say without hesitation, “my identity is in Christ!” But the enemy is quick to condemn us and make us feel unworthy.
Jesus’ precious promises fly out the window whenever a trial or a perceived slight comes our way.
Everyday Christian life is a series of setbacks and wins, challenges, and celebrations. We “press on” when we remember how valuable we are to Him and how much He sacrificed on our behalf.
At the end of the day, the only thing that matters is what God thinks of you! Reflect on these truths regularly. Fully embrace your identity in Christ as a beloved child of God!
Blessings!
AnnMarie
All Scripture is taken from the New International Version unless specified otherwise.
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