A Down-to-Earth Reflection on Who You Are
Have you ever stopped and asked yourself, “Who am I, really?” Maybe you’ve wondered what your purpose is, or felt lost in a world full of mixed messages. If so, you’re not alone! A lot of people—even those who follow Christ—struggle with knowing who they really are and what they were made for.
This feeling is called an “identity crisis.” Simply put, it’s when you’re not sure what your role or purpose is, or when changes in life make you question where you belong. When we don’t know who we are, it’s easy to be influenced by what others say, to be confused by new ideas, or to feel tossed around by life’s ups and downs. The Bible talks about this in Ephesians 4:14, where it describes people being “tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching.” In other words, if we don’t have a solid sense of who we are, it’s easy to get lost.
So, how do you see yourself? If someone asked you to describe yourself in just three words, what would you say? Brave? Lost? Hopeful? Most of us can find that question pretty tough!
Here are a few things to think about, inspired by Dr. Mark Chironna and others who’ve studied how self-image shapes our lives:
· How you see yourself affects your comfort zone. If you’re confident in who you are, you’re more at ease. If not, you might always feel uncomfortable or out of place.
· Your emotions and actions follow your self-image. How you handle stress or excitement is tied to how you see yourself. If you believe you’re capable, you’ll face challenges head-on. If not, you might avoid them.
· Your self-image is built from both outside and inside influences. Your surroundings, friends, and family affect you, but so do your thoughts and how you interpret what happens to you—like whether you see setbacks as failures or chances to learn.
· When your self-image suffers, you may try to cope in unhealthy ways. Maybe you ignore problems, blame yourself or others, or get caught up in negative thinking simply to avoid facing what’s really going on.
Here’s a helpful quote: “We cannot consistently behave in ways that are different from what we believe about ourselves.” (Kenneth Boa) That means if you think you’re unworthy, you might act in ways that match that belief—even if it isn’t true.
The good news is, the Bible encourages us to grow up in our faith and become spiritually mature. This doesn’t happen overnight, but it does come from learning about God’s truth, growing in our faith, and seeking guidance from wise leaders. When we do this, we’re less likely to be misled by wrong ideas or to fall for things that aren’t true.
So, if you’re feeling unsure about who you are, remember: you’re not alone, it’s okay to ask questions, and your real identity as a child of God is secure. Take time to learn, grow, and trust that God has a purpose for you—one that’s rooted in truth, not in the ever-changing opinions of the world.
Minister A Francine Green / July 2025
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