We have seen that our identity does not depend on who we are, but we must also be aware that our identity is not determined by the circumstances we go through. Many people define themselves by their environment or circumstances and thus fall short of what God wants for them.

For example, you may hear people say that Africans are never punctual. If you hear such a statement and identify with it, then it will seem normal for you to always be late for your appointments.

Identifying yourself by skin color, culture, nationality, or profession traps and limits you at that level. If you define yourself according to Asian culture, then you won’t be able to experience the blessings and graces God has given to European or American culture—and especially the ones He has reserved for you in Christ.

Likewise, if you define yourself by your degree or your job by saying: I am a doctor, I am a lawyer, I belong to a high social class, then you become a prisoner of that status. The day you lose that position or condition, your identity will be shaken.

Some men define themselves as the sole provider of the household. They build their identity and draw their value from being able to pay the rent, provide food, and cover other family expenses. When these men lose their jobs, they immediately go through an identity crisis because they have lost what they thought defined them. They feel useless and worthless.

Some will express anger or jealousy toward their working wife, become closed to any form of criticism, and some may even drown themselves in alcohol.

This mindset has crept into the Church. Some people define themselves as worship leaders, pastors, or intercessors. Their identity is tied to what they do for God. When they can no longer serve Him, their whole world falls apart. Pastor Éric Dufour, who works in counseling and supporting people in ministry, shared that he experienced a severe identity crisis when God sent him on mission to an Asian country.

In France, where he lived, he was the pastor of several churches, he prayed for the sick, counseled people, and subtly based his identity on being a pastor. When God led him to a country where the cultural context didn’t allow him to carry out his ministry, he fell into a deep depression.

This example shows how important and vital it is that our roots—our identity—be founded on the right things, namely: what God says we are…

This text is an excerpt from the book “MY FIRST STEPS IN CHRIST” written by Elza NGALESSAMI.

We invite you to read the next article: “THE CHURCH ALLOWS US TO BE FED.”

CIRCUMSTANCES