Identity Renewal

At ten years old, I hated my Dad so much that I considered shooting him with a loaded hunting rifle while he lay asleep on the couch. Satan had a strong, continuous influence over my Dad. Ultimately, mental illness and addiction destroyed him. Satan also tried to destroy me through abuse and the lies I began to believe about my identity. Here’s an example.

Our typically noisy home was silent as I walked into the kitchen. I had been outdoors and was late for supper. There was one place setting on the table with an empty glass and a pitcher of tea. My Dad and I were alone. His sarcasm and anger wreaked as he welcomed me home and directed me to sit at the table. He asked, “Would you like some tea?” I was no stranger to his wrath, so I replied quietly, “Yes?” He walked over to me, lifted the pitcher over my head, poured the tea over my head, face, shoulders, and lap, and shoved me into the wall. I was then required to sit in wet clothes, choke down my supper silently, and show no emotion.

The silence, the empty house, and one place setting at the table left me feeling intimidated, humiliated, hurt, stifled, and alone. Isn’t that just like the schemes of the enemy? Isn’t Satan a master manipulator, evoking fear, shame, and isolation?

The lies of the enemy are often planted in us through trauma. As children, we can develop destructive core beliefs about ourselves, our family, and God.

The lies I began to believe as a result of childhood trauma included;

I am not worthy of being cared for.

Crying is unacceptable.

Emotions can be managed with food.

As adults, we may continue to believe the lies if we are not deeply connected to what God says about us as believers.

What lies have you believed that resulted from trauma, abuse, loss, or heartbreak?

Those lies are assaults on your identity. Here’s the good news: you are not defenseless! As a believer in Christ, you can battle back! You can become aware of recurring faulty beliefs by looking at the deception that started long ago and noticing what lies you continue to believe.

Over time, deception planted in trauma can be overcome by being well-rooted in the Truth. The truth of God’s Word can crowd out the enemy’s lies. Whatever those lies are, you can surrender to Christ’s care, stand in His authority, resist the enemy, and refuse the lies! Then, replace the lies with the truth of who you are in Christ. You can start by filtering what you believe through the verse Paul wrote in the fourth chapter of Philippians. “Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart].” Philippians 4:8 AMP

Replacing the lies with the truth also includes understanding how God absolutely delights in us. “The Lord delights in His people; he crowns the humble with victory.” Psalm 146:6 NLT

He is not anxiously awaiting to pour out his wrath on us. He sees us as perfect and holy because of Jesus’ substitutionary death on the cross. The more we understand our true identity in Christ, the more we can live authentically whole, confident, and courageous as children of our loving, gentle Father.

Transform your mind by renewing your thoughts with the Word of God. Replace negative beliefs about yourself with the truth of your identity as a loved and redeemed child of God. Embrace your true potential as a whole and free individual, filled with peace and joy in the knowledge of your Heavenly Father’s delight in you.

Heavenly Father, as I surrender to you and stand in your power, I resist the enemy, knowing he has to flee. Help me reject what has been planted in me through abuse, heartbreak, and loss. Please implant your words in my heart and mind to give me strength and peace in my identity as your child. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

How could your thoughts and beliefs about your identity change if you habitually practice this

”thought filtration system”?

What does our Heavenly Father say and think about you?

What true, honorable, right, pure, wholesome, and lovely thoughts will you believe about yourself today?