Identity Transformation

Transform Your Mind to Know Your Identity

Many of us can relate to this scripture: “Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God” (Psalm 42:11 NKJV).

            We often get stuck in this place of feeling cast down and weary because we are dreaming of a day when our circumstances will change. In the story of Leah, Jacob, and Rachael, as found in Genesis 29-30, it was Leah who had every reason to feel cast down and disquieted. Can you imagine being rejected and unloved by your own husband? Can you even fathom living in the same house with your husband and your sister, the woman he loves?

            When the Lord saw how Jacob was treating Leah, He opened her womb, but Rachael remained barren. Leah thought that after the birth of child number one, two, and three, her husband would profess his love to her, but he didn’t. However, when Leah’s fourth son was born, she said, “Now, I will praise the Lord” (Genesis 29:35 KJV).

            Obviously, a transformation took place in Leah between the third and fourth son. What was that transformation? I personally believe that, at last, she realized her identity and worth was in the one true God who loved, accepted, affirmed, and saw her for the beautiful woman she was. She no longer waited for her circumstances to change; instead, she realized who she was in
Christ, and her identity was not based on man’s approval or love for her. And with that, her weariness gave birth to praise.

            I have been there. Waiting for circumstances and people to change caused me to be stuck in a perpetual state of weariness, not to mention the fact that I had no idea who I was. Just like Leah, the Lord saw my state of mind, and He began leading me step-by-step to a place of healing spiritually and emotionally. A transformation took place in me without my circumstances changing.

            Having accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior many years ago, I became a new creation with access to many benefits, such as: a new destination to heaven once I passed from this earth, the Holy Spirit came to live within me to guide me, and I received a new heart that wanted to please my heavenly Father.

            While there was an instantaneous change in my spiritual nature, I was still dealing with my old natural nature. In essence, my spirit was renewed, but my mind had to be renewed from old thought patterns in order to be transformed like the Bible says, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:2 NKJV).

            As a result of faithfully availing myself to Bible study, both privately and with others, my mind was renewed. Now, I can say that my soul is no longer cast down and disquieted. My hope is in God; the help of my countenance, and I praise Him for showing me that my identity and worth is in Him, not in my circumstances or people’s approval of me.

1. What do you feel is the main obstacle, if any, standing in your way of knowing your identity in Christ?

2. How can renewing your mind, as discussed in this devotional, help you get past this obstacle
   

3. What steps can you take to renew your mind so that it is transformed from your old nature? (example: more Bible study, counseling, etc.)

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:2 NKJV)

Martha Bush

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