The Issue of Identity

Who I Am In Christ Series, part 1

So many people these days are going through an identity crisis.  They simply don’t know who they are.

Sadly, many of those people are Christians.  They may go to church regularly, read their Bibles, pray.  They’re doing all the things.    If you were to ask them, “Who are you?” they’d reply with their name or a role or what they do for a living.  They might even say “I’m a Christian,” but aside from establishing their eternal destination, they really don’t know what that means.

They don’t know their identity in Christ.

Many of those Christians also struggle with pain from their past, or addictive behaviors, or emotional problems such as fear and insecurity, or mental illness such as anxiety and depression.

I know, because for decades I was one of those people.

I memorized 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (KJV).  I associated this with the old sin nature, but I didn’t know that my new identity in Christ involved so much more.

I’ve shared about my experience in many previous posts.  But I’ve decided to do a more in-depth dive into just what it means to be “in Christ.”  I’m using as my framework the “Who I Am In Christ” listed compiled by Dr. Neil T. Anderson (you can print out a copy here.)  This list was invaluable to me in renewing my mind as to who I really was. 

My Journey To Wholeness and Healing

When I first discovered this list, I printed it out and read it daily for several years as part of my morning devotions.  (Yes, I said daily and years.)  Every single day I pondered those statements and read those verses.  Initially my mind would be flooded with negative thoughts:  “You don’t really believe that, do you?”  “That’s not true.”  “That sounds good, but you know it’s just wishful thinking,” and so on. 

There was definitely a spiritual battle going on as I sought to replace Satan’s lies with God’s truth.  Because of the verbal abuse I had suffered by being bullied throughout my childhood and adolescence, I had heard many lies spoken about me.  Because so many people had said the same things repeatedly to me, my mind began to perceive those statements as true.  I began to believe the negative things others had said about me.  It impacted my social and emotional development and created mental strongholds that I needed to overcome.

Thankfully, God’s desire to see me healed and whole was even greater than my own.  As I went through this “reprogramming” process with Dr. Anderson’s list, little by little I began to tear down those lies and replace them with what God said about me.

It’s important to note that this was not a “one-trip-to-the-altar-and-you’re-fixed” deal.  I received prayer from many people, but it took time for me to really believe what I was reading and hearing.  My healing was a journey, and it’s likely yours will be, too.  It will require some patience and determination on your part.  Satan doesn’t let go without a fight.  As one of my pastoral counselors told me, “It took you a long time to get this messed up, and it’s going to take a while to change, too.”  Believe me, I did not want to hear that!

Our American culture has conditioned us to want and expect drive-through microwave results.  But God doesn’t often work that way.  When I asked that same pastor why not, he replied, “If God fixed everything at once, you’d probably die from the shock!”  (I’d have been willing to take that chance.)

A major reason I decided to write this blog is the hope that my experiences can perhaps help shorten the healing process for others.  I also wanted to educate those people who have never had these struggles, so they can better understand what these brothers and sisters are going through.

The “Who I Am In Christ” List

Dr. Anderson divided his list into three sections:

• I am accepted
• I am secure
• I am significant

These are three core emotional needs that every person has.  As I look back on my life, it’s easy to see that all three of these areas were impacted by the bullying. 

My peers, especially the other boys, rejected me because I didn’t fit in with them.  I loved reading and learning and creative activities.  I was a chubby klutz with no athletic skills and therefore no interest in sports, so I was a natural target for bullying. 

I didn’t feel accepted.

I loved school, but it was not a safe place for me.  Home didn’t feel safe, either.  My dad was a closet alcoholic and there was constant tension in our house.  My parents were strict disciplinarians, and though I know they loved me, sometimes they went too far. 

I didn’t feel secure.

Because I was constantly picked on and put down, my self-esteem was very low.  I had a poor self image and really believed that I was inferior to those around me.  I became reluctant to interact socially and spent much of my time secluded in my room.  Depression was my sole companion.  I had no friends and didn’t see much of a future ahead for me.  I remember my aunt commenting on being a teenager and telling me, “These are the best years of your life!” and my thought was, “Oh God, there’s no hope– I’m better off dead!”  I saw no purpose in my life. 

I didn’t feel significant.

Where Do I Begin?

Your situation may be different.  Or maybe it isn’t.  Or maybe you see someone you know reflected in these words.  It’s crucial that these three core emotional needs be met in the right way.  That’s where knowing who you are in Christ comes in.

In his book Victory Over the Darkness, Neil Anderson states, “Since Satan’s primary weapon is the lie, your defense against him is the truth.  Dealing with Satan is not a power encounter, it’s a truth encounter.  When you expose Satan’s lie with God’s truth, his power is broken.”  Do I hear an AMEN?

Romans 12:2 says, “Do not be conformed to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind”  (emphasis added).  Could you use some transformation?  Does your mind, like mine, need to be renewed?  Begin getting into God’s Word.

A good start might be doing what I did.  Read the “Who I Am In Christ” list daily.  Read the statements and the corresponding verses.  Continue doing this until you believe it!

To reinforce what you’re learning, you can get a nice journal and copy the statements and verses.  (I would suggest writing in cursive, because science has shown that cursive writing stimulates those areas of the brain related to remembering.  And don’t get me started on those schools dropping cursive writing from the curriculum!)  If you are the artistic type, you can write in different colors and draw a decorative border around each page.  It’s okay to have some fun with this!

And for those of you who are real go-getters, there are three books I highly recommend.  These were all highly influential in my own healing:

• The Bondage Breaker by Neil T. Anderson
• Victory Over the Darkness by Neil T. Anderson
• Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer

So there’s our introduction to this series.  Stay tuned for part 2, where we will begin taking a closer look at the statements and verses on the “Who I Am In Christ” list.  God bless you as you begin the journey to healing and wholeness.  You’re going to love living the transformed life!

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Related Posts:

“Are You A Victim Of Identity Theft?”

“iDENTITY: Who You Are In Christ”