Have You Had This Identity Crisis?

Which Can Cause Me To Forget Who I Am

What does Jesus demand of me? I’m attempting to find the answer reading the book, What Jesus Demands of the World, by John Piper. As I began to read the chapter entitled, “Believe”, I proudly thought, this one is easy for me. I have no problem believing that Jesus is my Lord and Savior. I am a proud child of God.

In this chapter, the author shares that believing in Jesus requires not only trusting that my eternal salvation is with Him, but that believing in Jesus requires trusting Him in every area of my life. He wants complete trust if we profess to believe we are children of God. That’s when it hit me. Am I confidently trusting Him with everything?

Years ago, I started a daily a prayer journal to keep me focused and connected to the Lord each day. It brings me comfort, assurance and peace as I read back through it each year to see how God provided despite my doubts and worries. It brings reassurance, with the reminder that the Lord is always with me.

However, what I have noticed is that I am good at giving Him the big things, but I tend to take control and try to manage the small things on my own. So, the burning question is, how can I say my identity is in Him if I am only trusting my Father with the things I choose to give him? It’s as though I have an identity crisis and forget who I belong to and who is sovereign over everything.

Jesus wants me to give him my every day. The routine, the decisions, and the release of my kids should all be entrusted to Him. The direction for meetings with colleagues and clients are to be guided by Him. 1 John 1:12 says, "yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." Jesus tells us in John 15:9 that He want us to remain in His love. If I believe my identity is a child of God and I am confident that I can remain in His love, I must be willing to submit and trust Him with every detail of my life. When I want to take control and manage things myself, I must pause and realize it is an identity crisis. It is not up to my Father to take control, but up to me to release control to Him

Reflection

In what areas have you been able to put your identity completely in God as His daughter?
What areas of trust do you struggle to give completely to your Heavenly Father?
How would your peace of mind and confidence change if you relied completely in Him?