Real Hope: Identity in ChristSample

Who Defines You?

Where do you find your identity? As a Christian, I know I’m meant to say ‘in Christ’ but I’m sure I’m not the only one who has struggled to live this out at times.

Some years ago, I had a friendship that fizzled out. No one did anything wrong; there wasn’t a big blow up – it just fizzled, and I really struggled to comprehend it and to let it go. I later realised it was because I had learned to define myself as a ‘good friend’. When the relationship ended, instead of just grieving the loss I started to question not only my ability to be a good friend, but I questioned my identity.

Has this ever happened to you? Maybe it was your work that defined you? Perhaps it’s your talent or your success? Maybe you’ve found your worth in your role as a parent or as an influential person in your church community? Maybe you’ve let others’ words define you. A teacher who said you’d never amount to anything or a parent or peer who judged you unkindly. Instead of letting others define us or looking within, we need to look to God.

The Bible calls us children of God – someone who God went to great lengths to rescue. The Bible says we are loved, chosen and forgiven.

When we start to define ourselves by anything more than that, we run the risk of disappointment and heartache. When we find our identity in Christ alone, we find great freedom.

Written by STEFF WILLIS

Want more? Check out the Real Hope Conversations Podcast and listen as we delve further into the topic of Identity in Christ. Available wherever you listen to podcasts.