One of the hardest things about placing (and keeping) our identities in Christ has a lot to do with a spiritual disease we all seem to fall prey to:
Spiritual amnesia.
The side effects of this disease cause us to: (1.) chronically forget who we are and (2.) place our security, identity and even meaning in something else or someone else. Over and over again, God tells us who we are, and then we straight up forget it and move on. James describes this dilemma perfectly when he writes:
“Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like
someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.”-James 1: 23-24 (NIV)
Thankfully, there is a cure. The cure is what I like to call the Quadruple “R” Process:
– Remember
– Remind
– Repent
– Repeat
We must first remember who we are by searching God’s word for what He says about us and remind ourselves daily of the things He’s said about us. Most importantly, we must repent and turn away from unbelief and turn TO who Christ says we are. Without this step, we will constantly fall back into the vicious cycle of forgetting. Lastly, we must repeat this process constantly because habits are created through repetitiveness.
As someone who suffers a **stupid amount** of spiritual amnesia, I’ve found that writing out truths about my identity in Christ and tacking them everywhere helps me to make the Quadruple “R” Process a daily thing. As you seek to both remember and remind yourself who you are in Christ, here are 9 truths about your identity to get you started:
You are….
#1. Enough
That’s right– enough. The best part? It’s not because of anything you have done. (What a relief.) Your accomplishments, talents, and work have absolutely nothing to do with your enough-ness. It has everything to do with HIS enough-ness.
#2. Apart of Something Bigger Than Yourself
What a joy to know that our lives are a part of a greater picture. Our lives do not revolve around our own little world, but rather, they are a part of building a kingdom that in unshakeable to unstoppable. When you start feeling insignificant, remember what the Lord is building–and YOU get to be a part of it.
“As you come to Him, the living stone, rejected by men, but chosen and precious in God’s sight, you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”
1 Peter 2:14-15 (BSB)
#3. Loved by God
In a world where we work our way to get something, it’s such a relief to know that there’s no way to earn God’s love. He gave and gives it freely. What a comfort to know He loves unconditionally and despite the places we’ve been.
“This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.”
1 John 4:9-10 (NIV)
#4. Bought
He bought you with no returns– baggage, bad habits and ALL. What security there is in knowing that the Lord claimed us as His own even when it cost Him everything. We were bought at a HIGH price even when we had nothing to give Him in return. Thank goodness there are no returns allowed! 🙂
“You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body.”
1 Corinthians 6:20 (BSB)
#5. Free
Aaaah. My FAVORITE. We’re free. Free from condemnation, shame, bondage and the strongholds that so easily bind us up. It was for freedom that Christ set us free. Own it. Walk in it. Live in it.
“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery.”
Galatians 5:1 (ESV)
#6. Given a Purpose
When Jesus calls us FROM something, He calls us TO something else. Although our lives feel ordinary, He has given each one of us a very specific purpose. We get to spend our lives living that out.
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:19-20 (NLT)
#7. A Work in Progress
All good things go through a process–including us. Throughout our lives, God continues to work on us, teach us, correct us, and reveal Himself to us. Until He comes back to get us, we will continue to be a work in process.
“This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.”
Ephesians 4:13 (NLT)
#8. A Representative of Jesus
When I envision the calling of Christlikeness on our lives, I imagine us wearing name tags that say, “I follow Jesus!” People can see by the way we act, treat others and live our lives if that name tag lives up to what it claims. Whether we “feel” like it or not, we’re called to represent Him in everything we do.
“By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
John 13:35 (ESV)
#9. A Daughter
When God saved us, He didn’t just save us to leave us as orphans, but instead he made us a part of his family. Baggage, hangups, bad habits and all– He grafted us into His family and gave us the honor and privilege of being His kids.
“Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir.”
Galatians 4:7 (NLT)
I’m a visual kind of gal, so my remembering, reminding, repenting, and repeating is most effective when I have some sort of “visual aid” to call my attention back to the truth. You can print out this graphic or screenshot it to your phone to help you remember WHO you are and WHOSE you are.
Enjoy!
Becoming Kiona says
This is awesome! So beautifully laid out, and helpful! You are so right, we have to constantly remind ourselves! Thanks for sharing!
Kaitlin says
Kiona,
Thank you so much for your encouragement! ❤️
RebeccaLynn says
You are so talented, my friend! Keep up the amazing work God is doing through you.
Kaitlin says
Rebecca,
Thank you so much for your sweet encouragement! I just love you!
Ashley says
This is a great post!
Kaitlin says
Thank you Ashley!!
Tracy says
Amen and amen! Thank you so much for your beautiful gift of encouragement. Too often we forget to walk in our true identity. Thank you for the reminder my friend!
Kaitlin says
Tracy,
Thank you so much for YOUR encouragement ❤️I’m so glad you were encouraged. We always need the nudge to remember who we really are in Christ and to walk in it!
Mihaela Echols says
so beautiful! Pinning too!
Kaitlin says
Mihaela,
Thanks so much, friend!!
A Softer Shade of Red says
O man, have I ever been guilty of some serious “spiritual amnesia”. Thank you for this!
Kaitlin says
You and me BOTH!! Thank you for stopping by!
Sara Lewis says
I love your three R’s. What a timely message for my own soul. And I’m so glad to not be the only one who struggles so much in this area. Strange how we can feel like we are the only one’s. There’s power in tackling deep rooted problems within community!
Kaitlin says
Sara,
You’re right, here is so much power in community where we can be reminded that MANY struggle with this!! Thanks so much for your insight! ❤️❤️
Sarah Geringer says
Loved this–pinned both graphics!
Kaitlin says
Thank you so much Sarah! ❤️❤️
Debra says
Love this, great reminder, I will be printing and putting this reminder up on my wall. Thank you! Pinning and Sharing
Kaitlin says
Debra,
I’m so glad!! Thank you so much for sharing!
Rachel Chamberlayne says
Loved this, chica! I especially found the spiritual amnesia bit to be too true, for myself anyway. I often struggle with doubt, but loved the verse you chose in James 1! It’s definitely a call to action for trusting in who He is and who He says I am. After all, how could we believe He is who He says and turn around and feel we don’t measure up after He has told us who we are in Him? Can I get an Amen? 🙏 Haha!
Kaitlin says
Rachel,
Amen! That’s such a great point! Thank you for pointing that out!!!
teawithcoconutcream says
Beautiful! Yes, we need these reminders from time to time. Suffering from spiritual amnesia is easy! Your Quadruple “R” Process is a fantastic idea!
Kaitlin says
Yes it’s so true!! I’m so glad you liked it!! Thank you for stopping by ❤️
Sara says
Such a great reminder of who we are in Jesus! Thanks, Kaitlin!
Kaitlin says
Sara,
Thanks so much!! ❤️❤️
Jena says
Kaitlin, I LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS! I just wanted to let you know that the scripture you quoted as 1 Peter 2:14-15 is actually
1 Peter 2:4-5. I know I am a stickler for detail so I thought you may want to know. God Bless!- Jena
Kaitlin says
Jena,
Thank you so much! I really appreciate you pointing that out! Thanks a bunch!!! ❤️😭❤️