Identity Crisis by Mayada Naami
“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.”
(1 John 3:1-2, NIV)
If you are questioning your purpose in life, you may be experiencing an identity crisis. This can often occur due to big changes or stressors in life; such as divorce, aging, or a career change. You may be questioning your values, spirituality, beliefs, or career path and seeking more meaning, reason, or passion in your life. It’s normal to question your purpose in life as you go through different stages in life, however, when it begins to affect your daily thinking or functioning, you may be having a crisis of your identity.
“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
(2 Corinthians 10:5, NIV)
According to a blog I read on BetterUp, there are seven symptoms of an identity crisis:
- Low self-esteem.
- Questioning your value or worth.
- Feeling lost or aimless.
- Not feeling a sense of purpose or understanding your values.
- Emotionally scattered (or difficulty regulating your emotions).
- Increased feelings of insecurity.
- Increased feelings of anxiety or depression.
Before I developed a relationship with Jesus, I suffered from low self-esteem, I was emotionally scattered, and I often questioned my purpose in life. My identity was rooted in world values. I grew up trying to measure up to a standard that was pre-established by society. Human beings were created to be in relationships, to love and be loved. We grow up wanting to be loved and to be accepted for who we are, and when we don’t feel loved or accepted, we can develop some of the symptoms mentioned above.
The good news is that our Heavenly Father loves us and accepts us in our brokenness. God knows each one of us and formed us in His image. His love is a redeeming love. He knew before we were born into this world that we would be tempted and suffer the consequences. Before the beginning of time, His plan was for each one of His children to choose to be reborn in the Spirit of God, through Jesus Christ.
He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time.
(2 Timothy 1:9, NIV)
Now that my identity is in Christ, I see myself through His eyes. I understand that I was created in His image which means my identity lies in Him. His opinion of me is the only one that matters to me.
Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.
(Galatians 1:10, NIV)
Is your identity in Christ or measured by society?
Reflect
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Prayer
Lord, help me recognize when I am trying to win the approval of man. May I put off the old self, be renewed in the spirit, and put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness (Ephesians 4:22-24).