Redeemed in the Aftermathਨਮੂਨਾ

The False Identity of Service
Your uniform was never meant to be your identity.

For years, service becomes who we are. Our schedule, our language, even our sense of worth—all tethered to the mission. We measure purpose by performance and identity by rank or role. Then one day, it’s gone. The uniform comes off and we’re left wondering who we are without it.

That loss of identity is one of the hardest transitions veterans face. The structure, the brotherhood, the mission—they provide clarity. Civilian life often feels scattered, uncertain, and stripped of the order service once gave. The mind stays in mission mode, but the mission no longer exists. Many wrestle with guilt or feel detached, trying to recreate that same sense of belonging elsewhere.

But identity built on service—no matter how honorable—was never meant to be permanent. Our calling in Christ runs deeper than any title or uniform. Galatians 2:20 reminds us: “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” That truth redefines everything.

When your identity is rooted in Christ, it can’t be taken from you. You are not your MOS, your medals, or your missions. You are not defined by what you’ve done or what’s been done to you. You’re defined by who God says you are—redeemed, forgiven, and chosen for His purpose.

The same discipline that made you a soldier, sailor, or rescuer is now the foundation for a new mission: living a life that points back to Him. Service was a season. Sonship and daughterhood in Christ are forever.

Daily Journal:
What parts of your identity have been tied to your past service or experiences?
Ask God to show you what it means to live as His child, not just as a veteran or survivor. Write out one truth from Scripture that reminds you who you are in Christ, and keep it visible today.

If you or someone you know is in crisis:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988