2/22/23
I put something on Social Media recently and I got so many messages and comments about it. AND interestingly, this is the same thing that keeps coming up with each one of my clients. Even my pastor talked about it this past Sunday. So, I had something else planned for the podcast for today, but I really feel like I need to talk about this. Origin, Belief, Identity.
We don’t tend to think much about our origin, right? But it is the foundation to which all the other areas of our lives are tethered. My pastor said, “Identity is tied to origin.” This is true. But “origin” could mean a lot of things, like your family of origin, your culture of origin, your ancestry. However, in context, pastor was meaning your source of origin. Using origin to mean the point at which you begin your course or existence. Namely, Creator God.
This is an important distinction, because our belief system is what creates our identity in our minds. Not factually, as the truth is that we each began our course or existence in God. But in our minds. It is entirely possible to believe a lie and our minds just think it’s fact. Truth. And this usually happens when our belief system is founded on what we learned in those other definitions of origin: the family, the culture, our ancestry, our education, our religion, and messages we received from the world at large, etc. And then throw in the fact that our brains are constantly trying to make sense of our world and makes up stories or perceptions about ourselves, others, and the world we live in. And our identity is going to be wrapped up in all those messages. Again, the problem is that some of these things we believe are actually lies. And our identity is going to determine how we act and respond in life. So, the pattern is: origin creates belief which creates identity. Out of your personal identity, you act a certain way. Why?
Well, for example, if your identity is rooted in entitlement because of messaging from family of origin or culture, then you will act in selfish and self-centered ways in all areas of your life. It will show up everywhere. Or, if in that family of origin, you experienced criticism and rejection, you may have insecurities that show up, for example, as a bully or someone with a lack of self-confidence who is never sure about themselves. Or, if your identity is rooted in the way you look or the things you have because of messaging you received from the world at large, you might have a hard time loving yourself or might be hypercritical of yourself and others. If your identity is rooted in legalistic religion, then you may have unrealistic expectations for yourself (in other words, perfection) and for others. Hey, we might call all of these results - being self-centered, being a bully, or lack of self-confidence, unloving behavior, being critical - all of these, insecurities.
When you notice that the way that you’re acting in or experiencing your life is rooted in a lie, you’re certainly going to want to change that, right? But here’s the thing. Awareness is key to change, yes. But you’re not going to be able to change the lie that's driving your insecurities unless you radically change your belief about your origin.
How do you do that? First, you might explore each of the origins mentioned above and more. There are so many more things that enculturate us. In each of these, what is the messaging that’s been fed to me – explicitly or implicitly? Is it true? Is what I’m believing – that messaging that’s fueling all my actions – is it true? Then ask, where am I getting my identity?
Remember, identity is tied to origin. And your personal sense of security determines how you act and respond with others. How you experience life.
Once you’ve had a chance to understand how origin affects your identity, you can decide what messaging you want to keep believing and what you want to throw out. Again, some of those messages may not be true…or may not be true for you.
And now is your chance to change things. And you’ll definitely have to make some changes in order to change how you’re experiencing life. Because there is one thing that I know about changing the brain when you discover you've been living in a lie-based belief. And that is, your belief system about any one thing is going to determine whether or not you're going to be able to change that lie in your life. Even though you've become aware of it. You have to make conscious and deliberate changes about what you believe.
And, again, belief system derives from origin. And there’s one origin that trumps all others. Now, am I suggesting to throw out everything from the others - your heritage or culture, or your family traditions, or even your religion? No. But what I am suggesting is that there is one origin to which you tether your life and let your belief system dictate how you live – with security or with insecurities. And that is your origin in Christ. Colossians 1 verse 16 – the Contemporary English Version – says, “Everything was created by him [that’s Jesus], everything in heaven and on earth, everything seen and unseen, including all forces and powers, and all rulers and authorities. All things were created by God's Son, and everything was made for him.”
That is your origin. Created by God’s Son for God’s Son. And the belief system that formulates our identity is that we were created specifically and for a purpose. For Him. That we – each individual – are created with something unique to offer this world. Again, for Him. This belief system can go even deeper to encompass the truth that all the experiences we’ve had in the past and everything we’ve ever had to go through are what is being used to perfect us and equip us for that purpose. God wastes nothing. And even further, you and I were made in the image of God. We bear His resemblance.
And most importantly, that we were created on purpose. He knew you before you were even conceived in your mother’s womb. That’s Jeremiah 1 verse 5. He saw you before you were born. He formed and fashioned you just as you are. Psalm 139, verses 13 through 16 says, “For You formed my inward parts; You knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are Your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in Your book were written every one of them, the days that were formed for me when as yet there was none of them.”
You were created on purpose. You are special. You are wholly loved by the One that created and formed you. This is your true origin. And when you believe this truth – when you receive it deep into your heart, your soul (mind, will, and emotions) are driven by this truth. The mind - way you think; the will - your decisions, your determination, your desires; the emotions – the way you experience life, all will be based on the belief that there is a Creator God who breathed life into you and said, “live” because He loved you and wanted you in this world. From here your true identity is formed. And out of that identity you act.
Friend, with that identity, how do you think you would act? How would it impact your relationships? How would it impact the way you see yourself, and carry yourself, and be yourself?
As you go through the process, it's necessary to have a look at what you're truly believing that's making you act a certain way. And making a shift in the heart and mind, along with the spirit.
Who are you? Why do you matter? Why are you here? What’s your purpose? Who do you belong to? What do you have to offer? And why? What messages are forming your identity? These are just a few questions you can ask yourself to discover your belief system. Whatever you believe will determine how you experience your life in every area. I pray you believe truth: that your true origin, being fearfully and wonderfully made by God’s Son, loved and wholly accepted, drives your true personal identity and how you experience your life.
Hey, thank you so much for listen in each week. I so appreciate the support and hope these episodes are a blessing you to a transformed life. If you need help in any of the areas I talk about, I’d love to be your Life Coach. I coach Christian women on all the subjects of life.
I’ve put a link in the show notes for a free 30-minute call so we can see if we’re a good fit to work together.
Also, don’t forget to get the free, downloadable guide that complements this episode. The link is in the show notes, also.
Okay, have a wonderful week, friends. See you next Wednesday for the next episode of Another Beautiful Life.
