Identity

Dear Single Mom,

Have you been struggling with your identity? Do you know who you are in God, or do you let people tell you who you are? Do you focus more on what people think you are then who God says you are? I often find myself trying to be the perfect mother, daughter, sister, and friend. It can all be so exhausting. People might say that I am just a single mom, but I know that I am so much more.

Your past may have marked you, but you cannot let it define you. You are not defined by what you have been through, your actions, your job, your struggles, or even your failures. The enemy wants to confuse you with your identity. He wants you to believe that you cannot overcome sin. He wants you to think that you are unworthy and consume your mind with negative thoughts. You are who God says you are. Your skin color, personality, and hair texture made in God's expression.

The Bible says that I am a child of God. (Galatians 3:26, Corinthians 6:18) I'm made in his image. In Genesis 1:27, "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female he created them. I am forgiven. In Luke 6:37, "Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven." I am loved. (1 John 4:19, Romans 5:8) I am worth dying for. (1 John 3:16, Romans 5:7-9) I am precious to Him. (Isaiah 43:4) I am set free. (Romans 6:18) I was chosen and set apart by God. (Jeremiah 1:5, John 15:16)

Say it with me... I am a child of God. I am made in his image. I am forgiven. I am loved. I am worth dying for. I am precious to him. I am set free. I was chosen and set apart by God.

Dear single mom, think about it. Read it aloud if it helps you believe it. This is your identity in Christ, and it cannot be taken away, messed up, or changed. So, it does not matter what people call you. It doesn't even matter what you call yourself. It is only through him that we are these things. When you see yourself the way that Christ sees you, it will change how others see you.

Signed by His daughter,

Julie Cruz