Without realizing it, a number of people are in a crisis. If they understood it, they would have a better understanding as to why they have unwanted behavior, attitudes and thought processes they can’t seem to shake. That crisis pertains to their identity. Some might say, “I know I’m a child of God.” Okay, do you actually believe it? “Of course I do!” Alright, consider the following statements, and see how you measure up. After reading this, get in front of the mirror, read it out loud and see how the person looking back at you responds. Make sure you keep eye contact.
Romans 12:15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Perhaps for some, it is easier to weep with someone who is in sorrow or pain. They find it easy to console someone who has suffered loss or a defeat; however, when someone gains a victory, not so much. As brothers and sisters in Christ, we should be able to legitimately celebrate each other’s victories. Indeed, we should be able to celebrate each other. If you feel envy or jealousy when someone else gets the promotion, the pat on the back or any other blessing, you might just be in an identity crisis. “That should have been mine! He is not as deserving as I am!” Do you constantly find yourself saying or thinking such things when someone gets the blessing? If you do, you are in a crisis.
Maybe the reverse is true. When someone suffers a loss or defeat, some are actually glad for it. “They had it coming!” How merciful is that? If you are incapable of extending mercy, you are in a crisis. Have you forgotten the sting you experienced when you suffered a setback? “Well, he’s always badgering me when I fail! Besides, he’s not my friend.” How did Jesus tell us to respond? Did He say, “Be merciful only to your friends who treat you well?” Matthew 5:43-45 But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father Who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you somehow find satisfaction in someone else’s failure because it gives you a sense of superiority, you are in a crisis!
Do you lack the ability to encourage others? Can you pay a genuine compliment to another? Can you say, “Well done” when someone does a great job? If it pains you cheer someone on, you may be in a crisis. Does an encouraging word really detract from who you are? If you have the constant need for the limelight, you may be in a crisis, especially if you cannot share it. Would it bother you, if you taught or discipled someone who would eventual surpass you in some way? As a teacher, do you feel the need to keep the student beneath you, and perhaps reliant on you? What about you parents? Do you have to live through your child’s accomplishments, or can you simply be proud of him or her, while being grateful to God for his or her success?
If you know you’re awesome, more than likely you are not going to have that insane desire to prove it to others. You won’t have to try to do awesome things so people will adore or look up to you. Have you ever noticed when people try to prove how amazing they are; they’re not being so amazing? Knowing you are awesome because of being self-aware in relation to identity is not arrogant. In fact, arrogance is the counterfeit of being confident in who you are in Jesus Christ. Knowing you are fearfully and wonderfully made in the image God should help you understand it’s not what you do in life that makes you important; it’s who are. If you’ve accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, then it’s His righteousness dwelling in you. Father sees you as His masterpiece (see Ephesians 2:8-10). That makes you golden! That makes you awesome! By truly believing you’re a child of God, you will find the freedom to rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep. It empowers you to freely love others, without the need for a “return on investment.” If you do things for others in order for them to like or love you, you may be in a crisis.
Faith Actually
