Identity Lies Steal Your Joy

Leon FontaineDevoted

GOD, your God, chose you…as a cherished personal treasure. Deuteronomy 7:6 (MSG)

You are valuable to God. Actually, you are priceless to Him. He calls you His personal treasure, and His love for you knows no end. This is your identity: you’re a treasured child of God. However, many people believe lies about their identities, and these lies steal their joy.

For example, some fall for the lie that their identities come from what others think of them. They only feel good about themselves when everyone likes them.

Others wrap their identities in their performance. They need to get the top grades or have the best title, and if they don’t, they can’t be happy. Sometimes this turns into perfectionism, which really robs people of joy. If they fail at something, they label themselves a failure—one who is unworthy of God’s love and blessing.

You need to know that your identity isn’t wrapped up in what you’ve done or failed to do. It’s not based on what others think of you, your title or your net income. It also isn’t determined by how good you are. You may have made mistakes and you may be fighting to overcome a bad habit right now. Your behaviour might be hurting you and the people around you, but your identity hasn’t changed. If you’ve given your life to Jesus, you’re a child of God, so you’re entitled to every promise and blessing and you have God’s peace and joy.

We’ve been on a series about seven things that can steal your joy, and identity lies are definitely a big one. Make the decision today that you will base who you are on what God says and nothing else, and remember to enjoy the joy He’s made available to you.