Barbra Gentry-Pugh

Who God Says I Am ~ Anchored Beyond What I See

March 22, 2026

“Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. ” Colossians 3:12 (NLT)

“But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.” John 1:12 (NLT)

“Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NLT)

There are moments in life when everything we see in the natural world feels uncertain, overwhelming, and even discouraging. Circumstances shift, challenges arise, and the weight of life can try to redefine how we see ourselves. But even in the midst of what feels unstable, there is a divine movement taking place. God is still on the throne. He is still sovereign, and He is still at work, both in the world and behind the scenes of your life.

What you see is not all that is happening. Just as we saw in the book of Esther last week, God’s name is never mentioned, yet His hand is evident in every detail. God is orchestrating what you cannot see. While life may try to label you by your struggles, your past, or your present circumstances, God has already defined who you are. And His definition is the only one that stands. When we truly understand who we are in Christ, we are no longer moved by what we see; we are anchored in what God has said.

Below is a list of biblical affirmations about our identity in Jesus Christ, drawn from God’s Word. This is just a portion of the many truths about who we have become through our faith in God’s Son, but it is a powerful inventory to review from time to time!

The more we embrace these truths from Scripture about who we have become in Christ, the more stable, grateful, and fully assured we will be in this world. Be reminded of who you are by embracing:

I AM ACCEPTED:
John 1:12 ~ I am God’s child.
John 15:15 ~ As a disciple, I am a friend of Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:1 ~ I have been justified.
1 Corinthians 6:17 ~ I am united with the Lord, and I am one with Him in spirit.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ~ I have been bought with a price, and I belong to God.
1 Corinthians 12:27 ~ I am a member of Christ’s body.
Ephesians 1:3-8 ~ I have been chosen by God and adopted as His child.
Colossians 1:13-14 ~ I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins.
Colossians 2:9-10 ~ I am complete in Christ.
Hebrews 4:14-16 ~ I have direct access to the throne of grace through Jesus Christ.

I AM SECURE:
Romans 8:1-2 ~ I am free from condemnation.
Romans 8:28 ~ I am assured that God works for my good in all circumstances.
Romans 8:31-39 ~ I am free from any condemnation brought against me, and I cannot be separated from the love of God.
2 Corinthians 1:21-22 ~ I have been established, anointed, and sealed by God.
Colossians 3:1-4 ~ I am hidden with Christ in God.
Philippians 1:6 ~ I am confident that God will complete the good work He started in me.
Philippians 3:20 ~ I am a citizen of heaven.
2 Timothy 1:7 ~ I have not been given a spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind.
1 John 5:18 ~ I am born of God, and the evil one cannot touch me.

I AM SIGNIFICANT:
John 15:5 ~ I am a branch of Jesus Christ, the true vine, and a channel of His life.
John 15:16 ~ I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit.
1 Corinthians 3:16 ~ I am God’s temple.
2 Corinthians 5:17 ~ I am a new creation and minister of reconciliation for God.
Ephesians 2:6 ~ I am seated with Jesus Christ in the heavenly realm.
Ephesians 2:10 ~ I am God’s workmanship.
Ephesians 3:12 ~ I may approach God with freedom and confidence.
Philippians 4:13 ~ I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.

1 Peter 2:9 ~ I am chosen.
Jeremiah 31:3 ~ I am loved with an everlasting love.
Ephesians 1:7 ~ I am forgiven and redeemed.
Romans 8:37 ~ I am more than a conqueror.
Psalm 139:14 ~ I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

♥ I am not what I feel.
♥ I am not what I see.
♥ I am who God says I am.

HEART CHECK: Ask Yourself

→ Have I allowed my current circumstances to define how I see myself?

→ Do I believe what God says about me, or do I rehearse what life has shown me?

→ Where has my identity been shaken by what I see, feel, or experience?

→ Am I anchored in truth, or reacting to my reality?

HEART CHALLENGE:  This week, intentionally shift from seeing through circumstances to standing on truth.

Choose 3-5 Scriptures that define who you are in Christ
Speak them aloud daily, even when you don’t feel it
When negative thoughts arise, replace them immediately with God’s Word
Remind yourself: “This is what I see, but this is not who I am.”

Let truth become louder than your experience.

Standing Orders for Uncertain Times From the ‘MASTER PHYSICIAN’

Standing Orders 🩺 (Identity Stabilization Protocol)

Diagnosis: Identity instability due to external pressure and internalized lies.

Prescription: Daily alignment with God’s Word

Orders:

Take in Truth Daily
📖 Meditate on identity Scriptures morning and night, Joshua 1:8.
Guard Your Heart Against False Labels
🛑 Reject thoughts that contradict God’s Word ~ Proverbs 4:23
Speak Life Over Yourself
🗣 Declare who God says you are ~ Proverbs 18:21
Renew Your Mind Continuously
🔄 Replace lies with truth ~ Romans 12:2
Stand Firm – Even When You Don’t Feel It
Walk by faith, not by sight – 2 Corinthians 5:7.

Expected Outcome:
A stabilized, confident identity rooted in Christ and not circumstances.

AN INFORMED HEART (Biblical Truth: Who You Are in Christ) An informed heart is a heart aligned with truth, not feelings, not circumstances, but the Word of God.

Remember, according to God’s Word:

You are chosen ~ 1 Peter 2:9.
You are fearfully and wonderfully made ~ Psalm 139:14.
You are redeemed and forgiven ~ Ephesians 1:7.
You are a new creation ~ 2 Corinthians 5:17.
You are more than a conqueror ~ Romans 8:37.
You are God’s workmanship ~ Ephesians 2:10.
You are loved with an everlasting love ~ Jeremiah 31:3.

These are not motivational statements; these are divine declarations. And no circumstance has the authority to rewrite what God has already spoken.

LET’S PRAY:  Father God, thank You for Your authoritative, inerrant, and inspired Word, which gives us clear instructions on how we can know who we are in Christ. Thank You, Father, for reminding us of who we are in You. When life feels uncertain, and our circumstances try to speak louder than Your truth, help us to anchor our hearts in what You have already declared. Remind us that we are chosen, loved, redeemed, and made new, not because of what we see, but because of who You are. Strengthen us to reject every lie that tries to redefine our identity. Renew our minds daily so that we walk in truth, confidence, and freedom. Even when we cannot see it, help us to trust that You are working behind the scenes of our lives. We choose today to believe what You say about us, in the Precious, Powerful, and Preeminent Name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.  