So much of the time we are caught up in what people think of us, or what we think of ourselves.
Our upbringing, our relationships, the words people speak into our lives both positive and negative shape our identity and what we think.
When those things around us change or relationships that we hold dear aren't what we thought it can shake us to the core.
I have been shaken to the core a lot wondering "what the heck?"
My mom raised me for most of my life by herself and instilled values that I still hold near and dear to my heart. My dad (who was out of the picture that whole time) God has restored our relationship and I have discovered that I am more like him than my mom.
Relationships can be so complicated, but that is not where I need to find my identity.
My hope is in the name of the Lord! My identity is in Christ!
Galatians 2:19,20 (MSG)
19 -21What actually took place is this: I tried keeping rules and working my head off to please God, and it didn't work. So I quit being a "law man" so that I could be God's man. Christ's life showed me how, and enabled me to do it. I identified myself completely with him. Indeed, I have been crucified with Christ. My ego is no longer central. It is no longer important that I appear righteous before you or have your good opinion, and I am no longer driven to impress God. Christ lives in me. The life you see me living is not "mine," but it is lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I am not going to go back on that.
Is it not clear to you that to go back to that old rule-keeping, peer-pleasing religion would be an abandonment of everything personal and free in my relationship with God? I refuse to do that, to repudiate God's grace. If a living relationship with God could come by rule-keeping, then Christ died unnecessarily.
