Introduction
“If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become bread,” Satan said to Jesus. As was was fasting in the wilderness at the beginning of his public ministry. Satan tried to tempt Jesus three times, first with food, then worship, and lastly dominion. Each time, the tempter began with “IF you are the Son of God…” Satan has many tactics to attack, tempt, and annoy, and one of those is to make us question who we are.
The modern-day crisis of identity and self-worth is not caused just by spiritual attack, although that certainly is a factor. Our modern society, with the influence of social media, has a lot to say on the matter. Whenever we open our social apps, we are bombarded by messages telling us we are less than. What can help us when our sense of identity and self-worth feel wobbly at best?
Rather than basing identity and self-worth solely on things like becoming a better person, using time more productively, looking better, or feeling better, we need the transformative power of a Christ-centered identity. The character Thomas Hill from the movie Overcomer explains it this way: “When you find your identity through the one who created you, it will change your whole perspective.”
Christian counseling focuses on developing identities and feelings of self-worth rooted in Christ. By encouraging a firm grasp on who he is and who we are in light of that, faith-based counseling can help right the ship of our self-perception. When we see ourselves the way Christ sees us, everything changes. Exploring various faith-based counseling strategies and the integration of innovative therapies can move us towards having the right view of ourselves and our God.
Understanding Identity from a Biblical Perspective
We know from Genesis 1:27 that we are made in God’s image. “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them,” it says. We are like God in our appreciation of beauty, our creativity, our enjoyment of relationships…the list goes on and on. All that is beautiful in us is from God. As we are created in His image, we have inherent value, dignity, and worth.
Not only are we made in the image of God, but if we are in Christ, we have been adopted into God’s family. 1 John 3:1 states, “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!” When you become part of the family of God, you are the recipient of the spiritual blessings outlined in Ephesians 1:3-10. Here we learn that God:
“…has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love, he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.”
Common Challenges to Identity and Self-Worth
Some common challenges to forming a positive, Christ-centered identity and improving self-worth include negative self-talk, past hurts, trauma, and being seduced by comparisons and envy. Overcoming negative self-talk and internal criticism is imperative to our mental health. We must identify negative and harmful thought patterns and replace them with the truth from God’s word.
We all have past hurts and traumas that can affect our self-perception; trauma like abuse, neglect, or rejection can shape our current sense of identity. Similarly, our self-worth can be affected by social media. While social media can be helpful, educational, and fun, it has a dark side as well. When we see others post images or descriptions of the lives we wish we had, we fall into a comparison trap and develop social media envy. It can be dangerous to compare ourselves to others, as social media can foster dissatisfaction with our current life circumstances, even if our circumstances are positive.
Faith-Based Counseling Approaches to Rebuilding Identity
Christian counseling includes several approaches to rebuilding identity:
Affirming truth:
Ephesians 2:10 reminds us that “we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” When our thoughts seem against us, we have to remind ourselves of the truth— God loves us and created us to bring him glory. You were created specifically to be you, to do the things in this life that God has prepared for you and no one else. Memorize and meditate on key scriptures like this to cement truth firmly in your mind. We must replace lies with truth from God’s word.
Choosing forgiveness:
Inner healing and spiritual restoration are stifled when we are filled with bitterness and unforgiveness towards ourselves and others. Through prayer, we can find freedom to forgive those who have hurt us.
Practicing gratitude:
Practicing gratitude daily by using a gratitude journal, keeping a positive mindset, and reminding yourself of your blessings can also be beneficial.
Serving others:
Engaging in acts of service can give a great sense of fulfillment as we are reminded of Christ’s love for us and others.
Building Community:
Building community and accountability are important as well. We all need supportive relationships, mentorship, and discipleship. Having a faith-filled support network is essential.
Setting healthy boundaries:
Setting healthy boundaries can be beneficial for your well-being, as toxic relationships can degrade your sense of identity and self-worth. Saying “no” is important, as is recognizing unhealthy relationships.
Rejecting societal pressures:
Societal pressure can wreak havoc on us; that is why it is important to reject materialism and seek inner fulfillment instead. Materialism creates external validation and promises contentment but comes up short. We can find happiness beyond our possessions when we value our inner qualities more. How can we do this? A digital detox can help us increase mindfulness and grow spiritually. Reducing screen time and introducing mindfulness practices where we center on God’s presence can be healing.
Discovering our gifts:
How can we discover the unique gifts and talents God has given and what He is calling upon us to do? This may be accomplished through spiritual gift inventories, personality surveys, and similar evaluations. However, measurements like these do not stand alone; you must also look at what you enjoy and where your natural passion and inclinations lie. These can inform our search for our callings. It can be invaluable also to ask those around you, who know you well, what they think your strengths are. As we discover our gifts and callings, we bring glory to God. We can praise him that we have been fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139) and we can strive to honor him in new ways.
Ultimately, we all have the same purpose: to glorify God. But how that purpose is lived out looks different for each person. Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us that God has a plan and a purpose for each of us, a plan to bring us good and not harm. This does not mean life will be perfect, but that we will have a perfect God alongside us as we seek to glorify him.
Cultivating spiritual disciplines:
Ongoing growth and development involves cultivating spiritual disciplines, such as prayer, fasting, and Bible study These can significantly enhance one’s spiritual growth and impact identity and self-worth. Regular engagement in these practices fosters a deeper connection with faith and reinforces personal values
Celebrating progress:
Additionally, celebrating progress and small victories through positive reinforcement creates momentum and encourages self-celebration, allowing individuals to acknowledge their personal growth effectively.
Christian counseling can have many positive benefits when it comes to creating a positive self-image and reinforcing self-worth. On our journeys of transformation and self-discovery, we can find that our identities are not what the world says about who we should be, but who Christ says we ARE. Embrace your identity in Christ and let him guide you to fulfill your purpose for his glory. If you’re interested in help along the way, Christian counseling can provide you with the support you need.
Online Therapy in Florida, Idaho, South Carolina, and Utah
At Calming Transformations Counseling, our therapists understand how Christian counseling can reinforce positive self-worth through spiritual beliefs. We can help through online therapy in Florida, Idaho, South Carolina, or Utah or walk and talk therapy in Hillsborough County, Florida. Book an appointment or contact us today to schedule a session and take the first step toward a healthier, happier life. Remember, your mental health is important—take the time to care for yourself.
