“For he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in love before him.” Ephesians 1:4 (CSB)

I used to think I needed to “discover” my identity.

I thought what I did determined who I was. I conflated my identity with my roles as wife, mom and mentor. I didn’t know which role to play from one moment to the next, so I’d simply rehearse my roles and perform my parts.

And guess what? … It didn’t work!

Whenever my projects failed, I was convinced I am a failure.

When others were disappointed in me, I concluded I am a disappointment.

The more I worked to achieve my identity, the more inadequate I felt.

Everything changed when I rooted my identity in Christ. To my surprise, my identity was never something to strive for, but rather it was something to stand in.

Did you know we’re designed to serve God from a place of identity rather than to achieve a place of identity? Here are three big ideas that helped me root my identity in Christ and can help you do the same:

#1: Your belief shapes your behavior.

What we believe about ourselves determines what we do. Therefore, the labels we give ourselves become the reality we live in.

Let’s imagine Olivia identifies as “a worrier.” In attempts to break her habit, she replaces worrying with healthier behaviors. But even though she changes her behaviors, her beliefs remain.

Olivia keeps her commitments for a few weeks but eventually slips back into her old habit of worrying. This confirms her belief: A worrier is who she is and all she’ll ever be.

Do you see how what you believe about yourself — your identity — determines what you do, and not the other way around?

This is exactly why our identity must be the FIRST thing we focus on, not the last thing.

Second Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!” (CSB).

You’re made new in Christ! He no longer identifies you with your faults but rather with His faithfulness! So replace the old way you’ve identified yourself with how God identifies you.

#2: Don’t look to the world to define you; look to the Word.

God is the One who creates our identity, and people simply confirm it.

When we look to others to identify us, we mold ourselves into their expectations of us rather than standing in the identity God has given us.

First John 3:1 says, “See what great love the Father has given us that we should be called God’s children—and we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it didn’t know him” (CSB).

According to these verses, God has already identified us as His children! It’s set in stone.

Remember this: Society doesn’t have the power to define you; Scripture does. So when you lose sight of who you are, look to God’s Word.

#3: Focus on the fundamentals.

Sometimes we might think we’re too far along for the fundamentals. For some reason, we assume talking about the gospel and revisiting the scriptures that got us saved are “too fundamental.”

It’s not as if we need to spend less time with God the more we lead and impact others. The more we’re operating in power and authority, the more we need God’s presence. We need to focus MORE on the fundamentals, not less.

Being reminded Jesus loves you isn’t just some sweet cliché. God’s love is the most profoundly powerful force in existence — the very power that broke the curse of death! Our key verse, Ephesians 1:4, says, “For he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in love before him.”

I’ll leave you with this prayer found in Ephesians 3:17b-19: “I pray that you, being rooted and firmly established in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the length and width, height and depth of God’s love, and to know Christ’s love that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”

It’s not the things you do for God that make you a child of God. You’re already loved. Be confident in that!

Dear God, I pray that I may be rooted and firmly established in Your love. Help me to comprehend the length, width, height and depth of Your love for me. I want to know Christ’s love that surpasses knowledge and be filled with Your fullness. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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For a practical guide to establish your confidence in Christ, grab a copy of Amanda Pittman’s book, Stand in Confidence: From Sinking in Insecurity to Rising in Your God-Given Identity.

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FOR DEEPER STUDY

Ephesians 1:5, “He predestined us to be adopted as sons through Jesus Christ for himself, according to the good pleasure of his will …” (CSB)

1 Peter 2:9, “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.” (CSB)

What recent situation has caused you to lose sight of who you are?

Which of the three big ideas shared in this devotion do you need to take hold of today so you can root your identity in Christ? Share with us in the comments!

© 2022 by Amanda Pittman. All rights reserved.