The Power of Identity

Turning 40 is no fun. I’ve tried to psych myself up and get excited, but the big 4-0 still feels a little daunting. It’s something you just kind of want to skip over and pretend didn’t happen. But it’s here for me.

I remember when my dad turned 40. I thought he was ancient. We threw him a surprise over-the-hill party, and as a kid, it all felt like a big deal. I made sure to tell my husband that I didn’t want an over-the-hill party. Celebrate yes, but I don’t want to think of life as all downhill from here.

In the perspective of life, turning 40 is really not that big of a deal. It’s just a number, an age, that comes and goes in our limited time on earth. But even something as little as age can have a big impact on our identity. For good or for bad. How we see ourselves and what we believe about ourselves is greatly impactful to how we live. The root of our heart’s belief about who we are is paramount in our experience and perspective of life.

We find a telling example of this in Jeremiah. When God calls him to be a prophet to the nations, Jeremiah’s response is natural and honest, \”Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth\” (Jeremiah 1:6, ESV). But the Lord saw him differently and admonishes to him saying, \”Do not say, \’I am only a youth\’; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the LORD\” (Jeremiah 1:7-8, ESV).

Even though Jeremiah’s view of himself may have been technically accurate, God did not want him to focus on the fact that he was young and inexperienced. God had a greater truth and identity for Jeremiah to claim. God commanded Jeremiah to let go of his self-made identity and embrace the identity and calling that God was giving him. 

Identity is something that can be formed by what we see in the mirror, by what we do, our life experiences, and by what others say about us. One’s identity can be layers deep and continues to be shaped and formed throughout life. For good or for ill. At some point, we identify ourselves as one way or another, and the way we think eventually flows out in what we speak. And to this, we much pay much attention.

“Be careful little mouth what you say, be careful little mouth what you say, for the Father up above is looking down in love, oh, be careful little mouth what you say…” This line from a children’s song I sang growing up holds an important truth for all of us to take to heart. We need to be very careful about what we speaking. Words hold the power of death or life. They build up or tear down. 

This is especially important when we have real issues or problems. Often when we have lived in something for very long, it becomes apart of us. Maybe it’s a career failure, or a broken marriage, a wayward child, or a chronic illness. The more we speak these issues over our lives, the more they become who we are. They can dominate our thinking and become our identity.

God has a lot to say about the identity of his children. Scripture is packed full of truth for us to take hold of and speak over our lives. We are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14), we are God’s temple (1 Corinthians 6:19), we are God’s chosen ones (Ephesians 1:4), we are the beloved of God (Colossians 3:12), we are God’s chosen treasure (1 Peter 2:9). And this is only a fraction of the identity given to believers that God desires for us to live by.

A practice I have taken up recently is speaking aloud every word of identity that I come across in Scripture. I make it my own, claim it over my being. We can read words all day long, but until we make them our own, it holds little benefit. Until we persuade our hearts to believe what God says over the counterfeits fed to us by the world, we will continue to live in a false identity. 

When the Lord called Gideon to save the Israelites from the grasp of Midian, he calls him “O mighty man of valor” (Judges 6:12). Gideon cannot accept this title because he sees himself through worldly eyes, as being from the weakest clan and least in his family (Judges 6:15). But God’s word is better. He knows Gideon better than Gideon knows himself. God’s truth always triumphs. But we must be willing to let go of our perspective and take on the mind of Christ.

So, what is your identity? How do you define yourself? What are you speaking over your life? Who are you listening to?

My friend, God has a word for you today. Just as he called out the mighty man of valor in Gideon, he has something to call out in you. Pay attention to his voice and speak it life over yourself. Remind yourself of who you are, even if you don’t feel it yet. You are worth more than you know.