Beyond Happy: Discovering Joy In Unexpected PlacesSample

Finding Joy in Identity

Six long, scary years.

That’s how long Terri and her mom had been on the run from her abusive father. They lived in terror of him finding and killing them as he had promised. But then Terri’s prayers were  answered. 

She received a new name. 

She and her mother restarted their lives in the safety of new identities. Although life still has its hard moments, Terri finds joy in the second chance God gave her.

All of us who have received Christ as our Savior have also received new names and new identities. Whatever you may have thought defined you—and the enemy that had pursued you in the past—now has no power over you. 

But even with this knowledge, culture and media will challenge you to measure your life against its standards of accomplishment, family, economic status or educational background. 

How can you combat the lies that threaten to steal your joy? Seek the truth found in Scripture.

Your identity as a follower of Christ isn’t found in what you can do or what you’ve failed to do. You’re a Christian—a word that literally means “little Christ”—and your identity is in whose you are. 

• When people leave you or disappoint you, and you feel abandoned and unwanted, 1 Peter 2:9 will remind you that Christians are “a chosen people.” God wants you!
• When you feel unloved, God says, “I have loved you with an everlasting love” (Jer. 31:3). God loves you!
• When you don’t feel special, remember that “we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works” (Eph. 2:10). God designed you!
• When you feel like you’ve messed up, know that God will always cleanse you (Jm. 4:8). God restores you!

Resetting your thinking with the truth of God’s Word is a crucial step in living beyond happiness and dwelling in your identity in Christ. Step into the joy you have as God’s beloved child!

Things to Ponder: 

• Where have you searched for your identity?
• What lies do you believe about yourself right now? Write them down and then search in Scripture for truth that refutes those lies.
• Who in your life needs to hear that they’re loved by God because they’re His child? Tell them today!