Who Gets to Name You?

Labels love to stick. “Crazy.” “Too much.” “Not enough.” I’ve been called all of it. On TV, I looked cheerful and carefree, but off-camera, I carried labels that weren’t truly me.

Here’s the difference: people label; Jesus names. Labels are conditional and shifting. Jesus’ names are rooted in love and truth. He says, “Redeemed.” “Chosen.” “Mine.”

When you don’t know who gets to name you, you’ll hustle for belonging and shape-shift to keep the peace. You’ll measure yourself against opinions, family systems, or perfectly curated feeds. You’ll win the moment and lose yourself.

God speaks a better word. “I have called you by name; you are mine.” That’s not a slogan—it’s a foundation. Identity received beats identity achieved every time.

So let’s practice. Hold a lie up to the light and replace it with truth. “Too loud” becomes “called to speak.” “Unworthy” becomes “deeply loved.” “Black sheep” becomes “beloved daughter, set apart on purpose.”

This isn’t denial; it’s deliverance. You’re not ignoring pain or pretending harm never happened. You’re refusing to let harm be your name tag. You do not have to be defined by what someone calls you or what the world says you are.

When Jesus names you, you can set boundaries without guilt, show up without performing, and rest without earning. You’ll still have feelings; you just won’t let false labels be the voice you listen to. Those negative voices aren’t clear to me anymore; they are just noise, and you can drown out the negativity in your life.

Walk into today wearing your real name. Let grace do the heavy lifting and let love replace rejection.

Write two columns: “Labels I’ve worn” and “Names Jesus gives me.” Replace each label with a Scripture-anchored name, then choose one you’ll live from today.