Counsel #26 — Identity Crisis

Picture: Counsel #26 — Identity CrisisCSL 36.1

It’s tough when you feel lost and unsure of who you are. This identity crisis often shows up as confusion about your place in society, your spiritual path, or even your gender. Often, these feelings stem from a deep sense of inadequacy, rejection, or feeling unloved.CSL 36.2

We live in a world that constantly bombards us with messages about who we should be. Media and social influences promote expressive individualism. This means our culture encourages us to look inward, define our own path, and express ourselves to the world—often without any reference to a higher purpose or Christ.CSL 36.3

If you’re a follower of Jesus and feel secure in His acceptance, expect the enemy to try and shake that foundation. The key to overcoming these attacks is to immerse yourself in the promises of God’s love and truly accept them as your own, regardless of how you feel. It’s only through Jesus’ death for us that we can find absolute security in this biblical identity.^{[46] https://adventistreview.org/feature/identity-in-christ-not-crisis/} CSL 36.4

“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10 NLTCSL 36.5

“It is God’s purpose to manifest through His people the principles of His kingdom. That in life and character they may reveal these principles, He desires to separate them from the customs, habits, and practices of the world. He seeks to bring them near to Himself….” Ellen White in Testimonies for the Church , vol. 6, p. 9CSL 36.6

Reflect: Does this Counsel resonate with any feelings you’ve experienced about your own identity?CSL 36.7