Finding our identity in anything other than Christ is like building our house on the edge of a volcano, and it could blow at any minute. If someone or something destroys that identity, we don’t know who we are anymore. We were created to worship, and we will worship something whether it’s our children, our image, our football team, or even our service to Christ. The bottom line remains: we were made for God, and nothing and no one else can fill the deep places in our souls. Even if you have a great marriage, a fulfilling career, and beautiful children, have you ever noticed that even on the best days there’s still an ache?
If your identity is being a good mom and one of your kids goes off the rails, who are you then? If your identity is based on your job and you lose your job or you don’t get that promotion, how do you repair the damage to your soul? If your identity is in being married and your husband leaves you for a younger woman, what does that do to who you think you are? If your identity is based on how you look, as you start to age, you will increasingly face challenges to that identity. There is no fountain of youth. Yes, there’s Botox and plastic surgery and hair dye and makeup, but even if you can afford all that stuff, you can only do so much for so long.
When our identity is in anything other than who we are in Christ, we will end up on shaky ground. We were made for so much more. If it’s your honest prayer to have a real spiritual breakthrough in your life, a new level in prayer, a new authority in Christ, then you must begin to build your confidence not on who you are but on who our God is.
I wonder even as you’ve read this far if you’re thinking, This is all great, but it’s a bit much right now. You’re up to your eyes in laundry, dishes in the sink, bills to be paid, and a breakthrough is the last thing on your mind. I understand that too. What I want you to know, however, is that God wants to be a part of all that, the little stuff, the daily stuff. He sees everything that concerns you, and He wants to be everything you need. For that to happen, you need to know who He is. There are so many verses in the Bible that tell us about His character. You might know that He is your shelter, but did you know that He is also a wonderful Counselor, that He will be your Father forever? You might take comfort in the truth that He is your peace, but did you know that He is also your strength? The Bible contains countless expressions of who God is. While you are praying, call out these Scripture passages but personalize them.
He will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isa. 9:6)
You are my wonderful Counselor. You are my mighty God. You are my everlasting Father. You are my Prince of Peace.
Make the truths of the Bible yours. Call them out. Declare them over your life!
I love you, Lord; you are my strength. (Ps. 18:1)
God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. (1 John 4:16–17)
For you are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory. (Ps. 32:7)
I am the Lord, and I do not change. (Mal. 3:6)
The Lord is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. (Ps. 145:8)
There are so many more expressions of who God is. Ultimately, He is good, He is love, and He wants the best for you. If you are praying for a breakthrough in some area of your life, don’t lose heart and don’t give up.
The enemy would love for you to quit before your answer comes, but press on for your breakthrough and remember this:
The one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. (1 John 4:4)
Sheila joins James and Betty this week to talk about the power of prayer. This is an excerpt from Praying Women by Sheila Walsh. Copyright ©2020 by Sheila Walsh. Published by Baker Publishing Group. Used by permission.
