It’s not uncommon that members email me prior to starting the 21-Day Challenge to tell me a bit about themselves.
Although I’m not insensitive to what they’ve gone through, I can quickly see how some women define themselves by their struggles.
In our program, we call this ‘false identities’.
“Hi, I’m Mary. I’m excited to start the Challenge, but first I want you to know that I’m a single mother of 3 children because my husband left me.”
“Hi, I’m . You should know that I was molested as a child.”
“Hi, I’m Jane and I’m 68 years old. I’m sure I’m a lot older than a lot of your other participants.”
Why do we feel the need to do this?
Whether it's your age, your weight, your health status or your life's circumstances, refuse to let your 'false identities' define you Share on X.
You are so much more than your past, your circumstances, or who the world has labeled you to be.
I get it. I used to do the same thing, “Hi, I’m Cathy. I’m a single mother.”
That was my response whenever someone asked me to tell a bit about myself.
It was my way of bringing people into my struggle. I had so much identified myself with my circumstances, that I felt that I need to let everyone know that I was somehow damaged because of my situation.
Being a single mother became my false identity. It gave me a reason why I would not be successful. It gave me an excuse as to why I could not afford to buy certain things; why I could not participate in certain activities; or why I could not spare the time to go places.
It becomes my scapegoat.
Over time, the false identities we give ourselves become survival tools that we use so we can disqualify ourselves (before someone else does it), or give ourselves a handicap so people can lower their expectations because of what we’ve been through.
It gives us an excuse for why we will not be successful.
For me, I was somehow saying, because I’m a single mother, you need to not expect as much from me—which is nonsense!!! It’s funny, most of us would rather define ourselves with our story/circumstance or situation than to define ourselves in light of how God sees us. Imagine how different things would be if you introduced yourself like this:
“Hi, I’m , I’m a daughter of the Most High God. I am who God says I am and I can do all that God says I can do. My life is blessed and highly favored, and I prosper in all I do.”
Imagine how people would react to that kind of introduction! People would suddenly stand up and pay attention to you. People would stop dismissing you, and most importantly, you would stop dismissing yourself!
In the Bible
God continually teaches us that our standards are not His standards. His perspective is very different from ours. As God sends the prophet Samuel out to choose a new king, we see this principle at work.
“But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7
God did not say, I’ll take the ruddy one who tends sheep, as he referred to David. He knew his potential. He knew his future, just as He knows yours!
Understand these two principles, my sister
1. Your past story does not dictate your future success. Your identity does not have to determine your destiny. You can write a new story. (Philippians 3:12-14)
2. Your perception of yourself should align with God’s perception of you. When God looks at you, he does not see what you see. He does not see flaws or imperfections. He sees his masterpieces. (Ephesians 4:24 and Ephesians 2:10)
Application
What’s your story that you’re constantly repeating?
- Maybe it’s your weight, your fibromyalgia, your disability, your age, your poor self-esteem, your slow metabolism, your abuse.
- Beloved, it’s not who you are. It does not, and should not define you.
- It’s not the reason why you can’t achieve all that God has for you.
- It’s not why you can’t lose weight.
God wants to do something new in your life, regardless of who you believe you are or are not. The next time you feel the need to share your false identity with others . . .
1. Stop and take notice of how you’re defining yourself.
2. Remind yourself of who God says you are.
3. Choose a scripture that you will use every time you find yourself repeating your ‘story’ or false identity.
I would love to hear some of your scriptures or declarations. Please share yours below.
P.S. if you are tired of circling the same mountain over and over and want a Christ-centered approach to lasting weight loss without feeling guilty, deprived, or overwhelmed, be sure to sign up for our video course program right away at cathymorenzie.com
29 Comments
So true! Amen!
😍amen!
I have Ephesians 2:10 on a post it note on my bathroom mirror to remind everyday I am God’s masterpiece and How much He loves me because He created me.
Love it, we need these constant reminders– especially when we look at ourselves in the mirror since our tendency can be to focus on our flaws instead of seeing ourselves as God sees us.
Hi I’m Vanessa. I’m beautifulky and wonderfully made. I’m victorious, blessed and prosperous.
Welcome, Vanessa!
Hi, I’m Ruth Ann S, a Christian/ follower of Christ, saved by grace, redeemed, forgiven, transformed Child of the King, joint heir with Christ. Romans 8:17 I’m called, justified and glorified. Romans 8:30
Blest by God!
Galatians 2:20 “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.” KJV
You are blessed indeed RuthAnn.
I’m Peggy, the daughter of the most High God and I’m blessed and highly favored. How are you doing today?
I am blessed was chosen the apple of His eye a daughter of the Most High. I can do all things through Him. He cares for me He has a plan for me. My weight does not define me.
Amen Susan, yes you are. The scale can not determine your self-worth.
“Hi, I’m Joy, I’m a daughter of the Most High God. I am who God says I am and I can do all that God says I can do. My life is blessed and highly favored, and I prosper in all I do.”
Because I am a daughter of God, He cares about the things I care for. When I commit all that I do to Him and leave it at His feet He will prosper me.
My weight has been a constant problem in my adult life Father, today I am laying it at Your feet and I will not pick it up again. I will work at it daily because I know that strength that is in me is not my own but is from Christ Jesus. Thank You for taking me on this journey and making me depend on You to be successful. I will honor you in BODY, soul and heart. Amen
AMEN!!!
Good morning my name is Beverly and when I look at the way God see me….it reminds of the song that Blanca sings….. Who I am…
Am I strong Beautiful Am I good enough Do I belong After all
That I’ve said and done Is it real When I feelI don’t measure up
Am I loved
I’m running to the One who knows me
Who made every part of me in His hands
I’m holding to the One who holds me
‘Cause I know whose I am, I know who I am
Fearfully Wonderfully Perfectly
Those are only a few words to the song that reminds me who I am…
AMEN, Beverly, be sure to save these in a journal to remind yourself when the enemy tried to make you believe anything other than what God says about you.
I am a child of God, saved by His grace. I have nothing to boast about or be ashamed of. I am God’s workmanship and before the beginning of time, He prepared for me the good works I will do in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 2:8-10 (CSB) 8 For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift — 9 not from works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do.
AMEN, what beautiful workmanship He has created.
Hi, I’m DollyB the daughter of the Most High God! I am who HE says I am and I do ALL things through Him because He strengthens & Loves me unconditionally.
Yes you are Doll!
Hello I’m Libbie and I’m a child of the Most High God, the King of kings and the Lord of lords. I’m unique because I’m supposed to be and I’m fearly and wonderfully made. Psalms 139:14
Amen Libbie, you are indeed!
I am Tanisha, a daughter of a King. I am fearfully and wonderfully made and blessed beyond measure.
Yes, you are my sister!
I am a person for whom God has made great plans, for whom He will do a new thing. I am blessed and highly favored. God knows everything about me because He made me – fearfully and wonderfully. And he cares about the things that concern me.
Amen Erin, continue to speak God’s promises over your life!
I am who God says I am and He is who God says He Is. I love that!! I’m Suzanne, a person who makes excuses….. NO! I’m suzanne and I am a fun loving person who has a weight issue. This weight is not what defines me. My character God gave me is who I am on the inside. Everything outside is temporary ?
Amen Suzanne, you are blessed and highly favoured.
I am blessed, chosen, adopted accepted, redeemed & forgiven (Ephesians 1:11-12) child of God 🙂
Amen!
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