True Identity vs False Self

 

“Point out anything in me that offends you,
    and lead me along the path of everlasting life.”

                                                        Psalm 139:24 NLT

 

 

This summer has been a time for me to contemplate my identity.  Through reading and reflection, I’ve strengthened my awareness of my true identity which comes through my relationship with my Heavenly Father and Creator.  I am His beloved daughter.  When I rest in this reality, I feel safe, secure, and at peace.  

I also learned each of us creates a false self, a personal style of how we think of ourselves and how we want others to see us and think of us.  Unmasking our false self is only possible when we are secure in our true identity as beloved children of God.  In the safe shelter of our Heavenly Father’s unconditional love we able to trust Him enough to open our eyes to our false self and begin the process of letting it go.  Eliminating the false self is not something we can do for ourselves.  

We base our false selves on one of three things – what we have, what we do, or what others think of us.  We can look for clues as to which one of these items is at the core of our false self: 

• Defensiveness – the pricklier we are about something reveals how heavily we are invested in protecting the false self.  
• Irritations – things that bother us about other people.
• Compulsions – what we think we most need, unnecessary attachments.

As I pondered the bullet points above in the safety of God’s acceptance, I realized my false self is based on what others think of me.  I spend a great deal of my time and energy defending, justifying, and explaining myself.  I replay my words and actions – wondering how they are perceived.  It is wasted effort.  It is self-effort.  God wants to free me of this bondage.  As I surrender my false self my dependence on God grows.  I trust that Christ has imparted his righteousness on me and I believe God sees me as good.  No more self-effort.  No more wasted time and energy.  Security in my identity, inner peace, and freedom from fear/concern about how others see me.  My false self is gone – my true identity reigns!  This is the path I am on and the vision of where God is leading me.           

 

“It matters very little to me what you think of me, even less where I rank in popular opinion. I don’t even rank myself.”     1 Corinthians 4:3 MSG

 

Prayer: Loving Father, thank you for all you have revealed.  May I cooperate with your Spirit so I may enjoy the freedom and fulfillment of being my true self.

Lisa Brown