“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Pet. 2:9).
When I hear believers, and pastors’ wives in particular, minimize who they are and downplay their strengths, abilities, and aspirations for fear of what others may say, think, or do, my heart grieves. I grieve because I used to behave similarly before learning how that practice grieves God and pleases the enemy. Therefore it is imperative that we know who we are and Whose we are.
By nature I’m a “daddy’s girl” and that leaning carries over into my relationship with my Heavenly Father. We get to know Him by spending time with Him—talking till all hours of the night, first thing in the morning, and throughout the day. Sharing our failures, fears, and frustrations with Him. He cares about all of it. This is the One who formed us in the womb and knows the number of hairs on our head. His love is never-ending. He’s more than Creator and Father. He is that Friend who sticks closer than a brother, our true BFF (best friend forever).
While getting to know God—His names and attributes—He teaches us who we are in Him, that new creation. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Cor. 5:17). To be truly successful in life and ministry we must know our identity in Christ. Otherwise, we will take our cues from the world, our family of origin, evil words spoken over us, and live lives of mistaken identity.
In the movie Black Panther the king has died and his son, T’Challa, must fight to defend and claim the throne against a rival tribe’s leader, named M’Baku. At one point when T’Challa seems bested by his larger opponent, the Queen Mother, played by Angela Bassett, calls out, “Show him who you are!” For me that line was worth the price of admission. Suddenly strengthened in the knowledge of who he is and whose he is, T’Challa declares boldly, “I am Prince T’Challa son of King T’Chaka,” and overcomes his adversary.
That is why we have to know Whose we are and who we are. The enemy never fights fair, going for our weaknesses, insecurities, areas of woundedness, and fear. He is behind everything and everyone that seeks to silence you, limit you through lies, shade your shine, weaken you through endless what-ifs, and immobilize you through indecision. Our mind is one of his favorite battlegrounds, so we must know how to equip ourselves. “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Rom. 12:2). As we get into the Word, the Word gets into us and we are transformed. Say only what the Word says about you and keep saying it until transformation takes place.
I am:
A accepted in the Beloved. Eph. 1:6
B born again and beautiful. Ps. 149:4
C chosen by God and more than a conqueror. Eph. 1:4-5, Rom. 8:37
D delivered from the power of darkness. Col. 1:13
E equipped to do all things thru Christ who gives me strength.
Phil. 4:13
F fearfully and wonderfully made. Ps. 139:14
G growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Pet. 3:18
H the habitation of the Holy Spirit. Eph. 2:22
I increasing in the knowledge of God. Col. 1:10
J God’s jewel; worth far more than rubies. Prov. 31:10
K known by God. 1Cor. 8:3
L loved unconditionally. Rom. 8:38-39
M made in God’s image and likeness. Gen. 1:27
N a new creation. 2 Cor. 5:17
O an overcomer. 1 John 2:13
P pleasing in God’s sight. John 8:29
Q qualified to be a partaker of the inheritance of the saints in the light.
Col. 1:12
R reconciled to God thru Christ, redeemed by His blood, reigning with Jesus, royal, rejoicing in hope, resting on God’s promises.
2 Cor. 5:18, Rev. 5:9, 2 Tim. 2:12, 1 Pet. 2:9, Rom. 12:12, Heb. 6:12
S strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Eph. 6:10
T transformed by the renewing of my mind. Rom. 12:2
U undefiled in the way and walking in the law of the Lord
Ps. 119:1
V a victorious, virtuous woman. 1 Cor. 15:57, Prov. 31:10-31
W God’s workmanship created to do good works. Eph. 2:10
X expecting to experience exceeding great and precious promises.
2 Pet. 1:4
Y yielded to God. Rom. 6:13
Z zealous for the things of the Lord. Tit. 2:14
There comes a time when we have to rise up, realizing who we are and Whose we are, and pursue what’s rightfully ours!
“Show them who you are!“