Imago Dei: Realigned in Christ

by Sarah Shanahan

Over the past year, I’ve reflected deeply on my past—not from a place of regret or guilt, but more from an exploratory standpoint, trying to understand what kept me from fully relating to my Heavenly Father. This journey began as I watched and observed my children, noticing patterns and behaviors in them that I also saw in myself—patterns I didn’t like. This led me to ask the difficult question: What is holding me back from being the person God created me to be?

As I explored these questions, I came to realize that some of these patterns were deeply tied to past trauma and unhealed pain, which were affecting how I engaged with my role as a wife, mother, and daughter of the King. It was not that I had “bad parts,” but rather that parts of me had been held back, frozen by past experiences and the pain I had not fully addressed. These parts needed healing, and it was through intentionality—through moving toward God with my pain—that I began to see transformation.

This study on Imago Dei—the truth that we are made in God’s image—is deeply personal to me. It’s a reminder that although we may carry wounds, they do not define us. God desires to heal the parts of us that are held back, and when we move toward Him with our pain, He is faithful to restore us. In this study, we will explore the truth of who we are in Christ and how we can live intentionally to reflect His image and realign with our true identity.

Made in the Image of God

In Genesis 1:26-27, we are told that humanity was made in the image of God. This foundational truth speaks to our inherent dignity, value, and purpose. We were created to reflect God’s nature, and this identity is part of who we are at the core. However, as sin entered the world, it marred this image’s perfection, and our world’s brokenness caused us to lose sight of our true identity. Romans 3:23 reminds us that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” The consequences of sin—pain, shame, and suffering—distorted our understanding of who we are and the way we relate to God and others.

Though sin has impacted us, the image of God is not lost. The truth is we are still made in God’s image, and His intent for us has not changed. We were made to reflect His love, holiness, and purpose in the world. The key is living intentionally and choosing to align ourselves with God’s design for our lives. This is where our true identity lies, and it’s a journey that requires intentional choices to reject the lies and brokenness we’ve adopted.

The Burden of Pain and the Exiles of Our Identity

When we go through life, experiences of pain, rejection, and trauma can leave deep marks on our hearts. These marks often create what can be described as “exiles”—parts of us that are hidden or frozen due to the weight of past experiences. These parts of us are not “bad,” but they are held back, and they carry the scars of pain. This can lead us to believe lies about ourselves, such as “I am not worthy,” “I am unlovable,” or “I am broken.”

Isaiah 61:3 speaks of the “spirit of despair,” where we exchange beauty for ashes and joy for mourning. These exiled parts are not permanent; they are simply areas in need of healing. God does not see them as “bad” or broken beyond repair, but He desires to restore them. Colossians 3:9-10 tells us that through Christ, we are being renewed in knowledge to reflect the image of our Creator. The key is to allow God to heal and restore these parts of us so that we can live fully aligned with His truth.

The Self-Protection Mechanisms: Perfectionism and Denial

To cope with pain, we often resort to self-protection mechanisms like perfectionism or denial. Perfectionism arises from the desire to control our environment and protect ourselves from further hurt, while denial involves avoiding or ignoring painful realities. Both of these mechanisms are ways of shielding ourselves, but they keep us from healing. Instead of facing the truth of our brokenness, we try to manage it by masking the pain.

Romans 7:15-25 speaks of the struggle within us—the desire to do what is good but the tendency to fall short. Perfectionism and denial are simply strategies to avoid confronting our pain. However, they keep us from experiencing the healing that comes when we move toward God with our pain. Jesus invites us to come to Him with our burdens (Matthew 11:28-30), offering us rest and healing. His grace is sufficient for our weaknesses (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Realigning with Christ

Through Christ, we are made new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 assures us that “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come.” This means that while our pain and brokenness may still affect us, they no longer define us. We have been given a new identity in Christ, and through His grace, we are restored to the image of God we were always meant to reflect.

Realigning with Christ requires intentionality. Ephesians 4:22-24 calls us to “put off the old self” and “put on the new self,” created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. This is a process that involves confronting the lies and wounds we’ve carried, allowing God to heal us, and choosing to live in the fullness of who we are in Him.

Living Intentionally in Alignment with Christ

Living intentionally in alignment with Christ means choosing to move toward Him with the parts of ourselves that have been held back by pain. It’s about recognizing that our pain does not define us, but when we bring it before God, He is faithful to heal and restore those parts.

1. Acknowledge the Pain: Begin by acknowledging the pain or wounds you have experienced. Bring them before God, knowing He is close to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18).

2. Identify the Lies: Identify the lies you’ve believed about yourself as a result of your pain. Replace these lies with the truth of God’s Word (Romans 8:31-39).

3. Move Toward Healing: Move toward healing by seeking God’s presence and realigning your thoughts with His truth. 2 Corinthians 3:18 promises that as we behold the glory of the Lord, we are being transformed into His image.

4. Live Out Your True Identity: As you heal, live intentionally as the new creation you are in Christ, reflecting His image to the world (Matthew 5:16).

Living intentionally in alignment with Christ is not a passive act—it requires a commitment to face the parts of ourselves that have been held back by pain, to bring them before God, and to allow Him to heal and restore us. Remember, there are no “bad parts” of you. Every part of you has been created in the image of God, and through His grace, even the wounded parts can be healed. By living intentionally, we can reflect the truth of who we are in Christ and live fully in alignment with God’s design.