What to Say That Builds Identity

She thought she had weathered the transition beautifully. When they sent their last son off to college, she figured she’d finally get to all those projects she had put off in busier years. But she wasn’t expecting the onslaught of emotions that hit her in her children’s absence. Knowing that everyone experiences mid-life crises in some way didn’t answer the nagging void in her life. The mothering season was over. What do I do now? For that matter, who am I now? 

Empty-nesters aren’t the only ones asking the question. The search for significance, for identity, fuels our behavior in a myriad of ways. Many of us spin our wheels trying to prove our worth through all our efforts working, raising kids, and achieving success or fame. 

But our Father fashioned us for a bigger purpose: to know Him and become a part of His family. All the activities, roles, and responsibilities we undertake flow from this central truth, providing an unshakeable and unchanging identity in Jesus. When we or our loved ones are reeling from change, let’s remind them whose they are and who they will always be: God’s dearly loved children. 

Life-Giving Words for Building Identity 

But to all who did receive Him, He gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in His name. JOHN 1:12  

You are God’s son/daughter, in whom He is well pleased! 

But anyone joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him. I CORINTHIANS 6:17  

The Father sees Jesus in you and welcomes you to ask Him for whatever you need. 

See what great love the Father has given us that we should be called God’s children—and we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it didn’t know Him. Dear friends, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him because we will see Him as He is. I JOHN 3:1–2  

I see Jesus in you. You are an encouragement to me! 

Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. ROMANS 12:2 

I love the way you tune out the world and walk in God’s ways! I know you make Him smile.