Identity Theft: Seeing what God Sees

I was a victim of identity theft. It seems impossible, how could someone do such a thing? I am me, and no one else can be me, right? Someone had chosen to use my financial information for their own gain, and had pretended to be me for purposes that I’d had nothing to do with. The bank alerted me of suspicious activity and they are working with me to resolve the violation.

Fortunately, the bank caught on early and there were no lingering damages, but the incident has prompted some sobering questions. How often have I superimposed a false identity on someone I know? How often have I assumed that I knew them when my assumptions were based on misunderstandings or misinformation?

What we say and do is rooted in who we believe we are. If a child is told often enough that he is funny or that she talks too much, the impact on his or her behavior can be significant. Children are vulnerable as they learn who they are and how they fit into the family or community. Adults can play an important role in teaching children their value and significance. We can coach as children learn new skills and ways of relating. We can counter the false messages heard from those who do not know the child well.

Love For a Lifetime: How I got past the parental rejection of my childhood
Feeling stressed out? Try this interactive study

Children are not the only ones who face this risk of “identity theft.” We can mislabel others at work, in our homes and in our communities. It is all too easy to look at the externals, to judge others by their appearance, possessions or position in life. It’s sometimes difficult to look for potential, to see what could be instead of what once was. It takes discipline to see others objectively and to take time to listen to their heart.

The prophet Samuel was once faced with anointing a young man for a task that God had prepared him for, and others didn’t understand the choice. God told Samuel, “The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)

I want to see others as precious. Rather than “stealing” someone’s identity for my personal gain, I want to build them up. I desire to celebrate what we hold in common and to learn from our differences. I want to get a glimpse of how God sees each one and to remind them of His good design!

Have I spoken to others in a way that twisted their identity or their view of themselves? Are my words and actions consistent with the value of each individual? Do I lift them up and encourage them to grow into the people that God designed?

With God’s help we can begin to see ourselves and others as God sees us. As we focus on what God cares about, desiring to please Him more than we desire to gain acceptance from others we will learn to look beyond the externals to glimpse someone’s heart. The approval of man is often fickle. Our identity is rooted in God’s design. He created us in His image and desires that we find our value in our relationship with Him. May we never settle for anything less!

Do you struggle with self-identity or self-esteem issues? Our online mentors are here to listen.