Before the Coronavirus Pandemic changed all of our lives, Steve took me to see The Lion King on Broadway. Wow! What an amazing experience! Honestly, I was like a little kid in a candy store sitting there with eyes wide open watching the show. It was spectacular! 

In one of the last scenes, frightened, self-doubting, Simba hears from his father who is in heaven. From the starry sky these words boom, “Simba, remember who you are!”  

Like Simba, we often feel frightened, ashamed, or filled with self-doubt. Our Father, who is in heaven, speaks loudly, “Remember who you are!” 

The is why the Apostle Paul, under the direction of the Holy Spirit, wrote, “For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner beings, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:14-19).

Your Father in heaven wants you to know how loved you are, how much He believes in you, and what your calling is in His kingdom. When you are in Christ, and you remember you are deeply loved, you don’t give in to self-doubt and shame. Instead, rise up to be the instrument He desires you to be. So, who exactly are you anyway?

Take a few minutes and look up each of the verses next to each characteristic – then praise God for your true identity.

You are God’s beloved child (I John 3:1, Ephesians 5:1).

You are chosen, holy and dearly loved! (Colossians 3:12).

You are completely seen, so you don’t have to have continual attention from others (Psalm 139:1-5).

You are created in the image of God and as such have intrinsic dignity (Psalm 139:13-14).

You are strong and courageous and do not have to give in to fear (Joshua 1:9).

You are called to do good works prepared by God (Ephesians 2:10).

You are alive in Christ and seated with Him in the heavenlies (Ephesians 2:5, Colossians 3:1-3).

You are holy and blameless (Ephesians 1:4).

You are equipped and empowered to do all things in Jesus Christ (Philippians 4:13).

You are a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).

You are a recipient of the wisdom of God (James 1:5).

You are free from condemnation (Romans 8:1).

You are more than a conqueror through Jesus Christ (Romans 8:37).

Lord Jesus, as fear and instability rock the world, help me to remember who I am in you and to rise up to be the voice of hope to those around me. In the moments when fear seeks to cripple me or leave me paralyzed, help me to intentionally praise you for who you are. Remind me today who I am and keep me focused on your goodness.