Part of my identity comes from my family - I am a daughter, sister, cousin, and aunt. Those relationships may have had a positive impact on me, or may have had negative influences that have now defined how I feel about myself and the identity I believe I have.
My schooling may have given me a certain identity, and we place an identity on people based upon which school they went to and the education they received. Consider how you would perceive a pupil at Eton for example - that gives t6hem an identity to be proud of and that will stay with them forever. They will carry the Eton label and wear it with pride. It is part of their identity.
Things that have happened to me can also influence my identity. Being good at sports or winning prizes, suffering long term illness in yourself or a family member, facing a trauma of some sort - all these things will define our identity.
"… put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and ..be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:22-24 [ESV]
With an identity in God we can put aside all that has defined us previously, and put on our new self. We do not have to be identified by our past as we have a new future with God, a new likeness of righteousness and holiness. If you feel your past has negatively influenced your identity, then claim that new identity that God gives you. The old has gone, He has done a new thing now.
Corinne Mason
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