“If anyone be in Christ, they are a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things have become new; and all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; to wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.” -2 Corinthians 5:17-19

“Identity crisis.” We hear the term thrown around, some even saying it is not real. But everyone at some point asks the questions, “who am I?” and “why am I here?” This is not a new line of thought, as we see the even the people of the scriptures wrestled with these questions.

Questioning our faith is not a sin. We are the children of a loving God here to help us find our true selves. As Christians, one of the traps Satan tries to push us into is to tell us we are not good enough for Jesus. That we are not worthy and never will be. That hope is just around a corner that we never seem to get to. But this simply is not true. If you need reminding, I will share a few scriptures with you to help you through this. now that you are not alone.

You are a Saint

“Ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God.” -Ephesians 2:19

In Doctrines of the Saints 74:5 the Lord tells Joseph Smith Jr. that the title of this restorational movement (regardless of denomination) is “the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.” This means they you, yes you, are a Saint. To be a Saint means that God sees you as a good person, as a disciple of the Son, Jesus, as holy or virtuous and prepared for salvation and exaltation in the world to come (Moroni 8:29c RAV, 26b OPV). We have a friend in Jesus, and a connection to God through the Holy Spirit. We have access to gifts of the spirit and many blessings in store.

You are Blessed

“…blessed are ye, for ye are built upon my rock.” -3 Nephi 8:43 RAV, 18:12b OPV

It is easy to become blinded to the good that God has made in this world, but if we listen to the Holy Spirit, we can see blessings all around us. We have our lives, we have the knowledge of an eternal life in paradise waiting for us. God brings people into our lives that we can have the joy of serving, and in turn that help us as well (Mosiah 1:49 RAV, 2:17 OPV). With our eyes open, we cannot count all the blessings God has given us. When life gets hard, we have the very Creator there to give us strength.

You are Saved and Exalted

“But if ye receive me in the world, then shalt ye know me, and shall receive your exaltation; that where I am, ye shall be also.” -Doctrines of the Saints 17a:37

There is no work we can do to save ourselves (Doctrines of the Saints 17d:25). This is a free gift given to us the moment we are born again (John 5:24). And we know that we are born again because of our desire to do the good works of God (James 2:14-18). Satan will have us worried that we aren’t doing enough, or that we forgot some commandment because he doesn’t understand the power of love. Jesus didn’t come to condemn you, but to save you (John 3:17). And Satan isn’t here to help, his name literally means “accuser” or “adversary.” We cannot listen to the one that condemns and isn’t a god, but to our God who has saved us.

You are Heard

“Therefore, ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you; for he that asketh, receiveth; and unto him that knocketh, it shall be opened.” -3 Nephi 13:6b RAV, 27:2 OPV (Matthew 7:7)

One of the biggest complaints I hear from people is that they do not feel like they are being heard. Please know that God is always listening. And, God always has our best interest in mind. It is important we build a relationship with God, if we hear God we can know that God truly is listening (see Jeremiah 29:12-13; Zenos 10:57-66; Enos 1:24 RAV, 1:15b OPV; 1 John 5:15; Doctrines of the Saints 12b:9). When we work on building a relationship with anyone communication is key. Real communication is not talking at someone, but with them. Take time to listen to God, I promise that God is taking the time to listen to you.

You are Loved

“Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and everyone that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God; they that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.” -1 John 4:7-8

This is the most important thing you can know, that the Creator of the universe knows you on a personal level and loves you. If we could see ourselves through God’s eyes we would never doubt ourselves again. If we could love ourselves as God loves us, that love would pour out and heal the world in ways I cannot even describe. God loves you more than you can ever know and more that I could ever express. Remember the words Jesus said to His disciples, and know He speaks them to you as well:

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” -John 16:33