My identity rests securely in the fact that God has redeemed me … called me by name … I’m HIS (Isaiah 43:1).
Sometimes I look at this list I made a few years ago and remind myself again … who I am.
I am a new creation (Colossians 3:9-10); God’s workmanship (Ephesians 2:10); loved (Ephesians 2:4, 1 Thessalonians 1:4); precious in God’s eyes, honored and loved (Isaiah 43:4); redeemed (Isaiah 43:1); Called by name (Isaiah 43:1); free from condemnation (Romans 8:2); forgiven (Ephesians 1:7, Colossians 2:12); a child of God (1 Peter 1:23) Christ lives in me (Galatians 2:20), a friend of God (John 15:15), blessed with every spiritual blessing (Ephesians 1:3); chosen (Ephesians 1:4, Colossians 3:12); holy and beloved (Colossians 3:12, Ephesians 5:1); righteous (2 Corinthians 5:21); have a reason to be joyful, prayerful and thankful (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18); filled with the Holy Spirit and all His fruit (Galatians 5:22); saved by grace (Ephesians 2:8-9); reconciled to God (Romans 5:6-11); more than a conqueror (Romans 8:37); free (John 8:36, Galatians 5:1) an ambassador (2 Corinthians 5:20); holy and blameless before Him (Colossians 1:22); called out of darkness into His glorious light (1 Peter 2:9, Colossians 1:13); an overcomer (Revelation 12:11); a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20); the light of the world (Matthew 5:14); not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls. (Hebrews 10:39). And even if I am afflicted in every way, I am not crushed; perplexed, I will not be driven to despair; persecuted, I will not be forsaken; struck down, I will not destroyed (2 Corinthians 4:7-10).
Sometimes it helps to remind myself that I am so much more than I think I am.
I am not defined by my successes or my failures.
Say it again.
I am not defined by my failures.
I am not defined by what I accomplish, what I say, what I don’t say, how I parent, how I teach, how I take care of my home, how much I read or pray or study or speak or write, how many friends I have, how much time I spend doing anything or everything … I am defined ONLY BY HIM.
I think right now my favorite definition of me is precious. That has been my favorite for a long time.
Maybe it is because I felt so “unprecious” when my husband left. In his eyes I was not an excellent wife.
“She is more precious than rubies, and all the things you may desire are not to be compared with her” (Proverbs 3:15).
“Who can find a virtuous woman? For her worth is far above rubies” (Proverbs 31:10).
Maybe it is because I feel unworthy of being precious to anyone.
Not that God hasn’t put people in my life who treat me as precious. He has. Definitely.
Why do I feel so unworthy of being considered anything good? Why does it feel like a sham?
… and yet God …
God says I am.
I am precious.
“Since you were precious in My sight, you have been honorable, and I have loved you” (Isaiah 43:4).
Precious.
Honored.
Loved.
Those aren’t words that define a failure.
But they do define me.
Logically, that must mean I’m not a failure.
I am defined by who I am in Christ … not who I am in my mind.
Yet another area that I need to focus on Christ not myself.
I’m so thankful for the two-by-four of truth that God gave me the other night. I’m so thankful that He never seems to tire of telling me again and again and again who I am … that I am His.
I’m so thankful that I am not defined by what or how I feel, but rather by who He is.
I am His.
I am precious.
I am all that He says I am.
“I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness” (Isaiah 61:10).
Sue Birdseye is an author and single mom of five kids. Her book, When Happily Ever After Shatters (Tyndale House) is in bookstores. This is adapted from her blog, uptomytoes.com
Janet Perez Eckles 
Shawn Akers 
Abby Trivett