Pro TipSample

Who are you? No, not your name. Like, who are you?

People love to ask this question. Teachers, leaders, parents, and friends beg you to “think hard” and “look deep inside yourself” to find the answer. If I’m being completely honest, I’ve shied away from this question more times than I’ve answered it. Sometimes that’s because of what I feel. Sometimes I feel Messy. Broken. Worthless. Even hopeless.

When these kinds of thoughts creep in, they can feel totally suffocating. I’ve even believed at times that my identity is determined by the ways I fall short. Sometimes I even feel like I’ll never measure up to what God expects because of what I've done. Ok, I know that’s heavy, but there’s a point. Let me ask you a new question: Where do those kinds of thoughts come from?

Are they coming from a God who calls me chosen? Are they coming from a God who calls me a child? Are they coming from the Creator of the Universe who calls me loved, forgiven, set free, and accepted?

But even the thought comes in: “Look at what I’ve done, God! This isn’t right! Did you forget!? I’m a failure." Then I remember what’s true. At first, what God says is true about me seems soft, like a whisper or babbling brook, but eventually, it grows louder and louder and louder. It’s like God is reminding me: "Look at what I’ve done!” Then I remember that Jesus, God in a human body, came to die for us because God loves us so much, no matter what!

I’ve been stuck in some really negative thoughts before. I’ve had a hard time seeing myself as what God says is true about me. But, when I remember what’s true…when I remember what’s wise, everything changes.

The next time you start to hear negative thoughts about your identity or worthiness, ask yourself, “What does God say is true?” Ask yourself, “What are the wise thoughts that might be bubbling up to prove these negative thoughts aren’t true?” Thinking wisely about who you are starts with remembering who God says you are.

Today, read a favorite verse or even search for a verse about how God sees you. Then, if you’re up for it, talk to someone you trust about the ways you may be struggling to see what’s true about you. Ask for help with paying more attention to God’s wisdom. God loves you so much, no matter what. The hope is that you always remember that!

Written by Emmie, age 15, from Lawrenceville, Georgia, USA