Identity Issues

Identity 

Through social media, entertainment, celebrities, etc., the world offers many suggestions on where we should place our identity:

-Men & women are told to pride themselves on their looks and achievements. 

-One's followers/ career title are the things that are deemed as important. 

-Celebrities with 'perfect' bodies and hair are idolized above everyone else.

-Movies glorify relationships and sex as being the ultimate source of joy.

-Women empowerment movements encourage you to put your identity in your strength/opinion.

Everyone struggles with placing their identity in the wrong things. I've struggled with placing my identity in my relationship status, my appearance, others' approval.. & so much more. But every time I've put my identity in these things, they've failed me and I'm once again reminded of who brings LASTING fulfillment.

I know who I am and it has nothing to do with what I look like, how much I've accomplished, or how others view me. I am a daughter of the King and I am a friend of Jesus.  I am strong and I am lovely- that's not because of anything I've done, it's because I know where my identity belongs. 

 ^^^Establishing my identity in these truths is much easier to do when I'm spending more time with the Lord and growing in relationship with Him.

world vs. truth

Even though I know where I should be placing my identity, the enemy will never give up on trying to convince me (&you) that our identity belongs somewhere else. So this is my attempt to challenge some of the things that the world tells us to place our identity in:

1. The world says that we should take pride in our appearance and achievements... We're made to believe self-confidence is an essential trait needed by people of all ages. But I disagree. Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with being confident, but there is a problem with putting your confidence in yourself. We are imperfect people & if our confidence is in ourselves, then it will eventually fail us. 

I want to be a woman that seeks humility. I don't want to take pride in my own abilities or strength... because I'm only human (cue 'Human' by Christina Perri). Instead of having confidence in myself, I would much rather put my confidence in a God that never fails me.

2. We're told that our importance comes from our social media followers or our career title. The world often says that more is better (more followers. more money). However, although a large social media following/a huge job title may bring certain benefits, neither of these things make you more or less important. We are all loved by the Maker of the heavens and the earth. Every single one of us is important to Him. 

I want to be a woman that puts Him above myself and my title (which is currently broke college student). No matter how important other people see me or don't see me as, that doesn't change my main goal/purpose.

3. The world has a lot to say right now about women-empowerment & this has caused many women to place their identity in the importance of their gender/strength/opinion.

We're being told that women need to make ourselves heard.. but often times, forcing our opinions or provoking division is required in order for that to happen. I want to be a woman that is gentle and open to reason. I don't want my opinions to be overlooked, but I also don't want to force them on someone just to make myself seem important.

On top of that, we're told that a woman should feel empowered by pointing out mens' flaws & the ways that women excel over men. I want to be a woman that acknowledges the strengths of both men & women. I want to be a woman that doesn't have to degrade men in order to boost my own ego.

Broken 

The world is a broken place.

It will never tell us: be deeply rooted in Christ, boast in Christ alone, strive to be obedient to God's will, forgive easily, etc. It'll never tell us to place our identity in God.

Don't let social media tell you who you are. Don't let celebrities tell you who you are. Don't let the lies of the world tell you that you don't have worth.  

Place your identity in the Creator of everything. He never fails. He sees your value. He accepts you just as you are. 

Lots of love, 

Addi Kamp