By: Kristine Bolt
I stared at my friend in shock for a few seconds, then my face crumpled. A sob escaped my lips, and I doubled over on her living room floor.
My body heaved as I struggled to get myself under control.
My friend hadn’t sucker-punched me, and she hadn’t delivered bad news. She’d gently asked me one simple, basic question.
“Who are you, Kris?”
And I collapsed in shock and tears—scared and confused—at the realization that I had no clue.
It would be two full years before I could finally answer her question.
Who Are You?
Looking back, I’m not surprised that I didn’t know who I was.
I’d grown up a church girl. But I was fresh out of a ten-year relationship with a man who didn’t believe in God.
For the last six years, we’d lived together, unmarried.
I’d also spent my entire adult life chasing what the world told me I should want: an important job, a beautiful house, a fancy car, the latest stuff, and money in the bank.
I got them all, too! But somewhere in the process, I lost myself.
The reason is simple, in hindsight. God never intended for me to travel that path. So I ended up wandering all the way away from who He made me to be—who He always intended me to be.
Is it any wonder that by the time I lost my important job, broke up with my agnostic boyfriend, sold the house, and gave away the stuff — all within 6 months — I was an untethered, lost mess?
What answer could I possibly give when my friend asked, “Who are you, Kris?”
Ex-executive? Ex-girlfriend? Ex-owner of a bunch of cool stuff?
You see, I had tied my identity to my accomplishments and position. And without those things, I became anchorless and adrift.
Worse yet, I had no idea how to find my way back to me.
I had tied my identity to my accomplishments and position. And without those things, I became anchorless and adrift. Worse yet, I had no idea how to find my way back to me.Who God Says You Are
Oh, how gracious our God is! He does some of His best work when we are at our worst.
When you’ve lost track of yourself, He can lead you back…through Him.
As I opened my Bible and began to read, I slowly learned who God is and how He feels about me.
I found my true identity in God’s Word, and you can too!
At some point, you may find yourself where I was a few years ago: anchorless and missing a map to find your way back to you. You may be there right now.
Whenever it may come, you don’t have to collapse in fear and confusion. Your map in only as far away as your Bible or your Bible app.
If that time should come, these nine verses will give you a running start on finding your way back to you.
When you come to recognize just how much He really, truly loves you, you will begin to see yourself in and through Him.
As I opened my Bible and began to read, I slowly learned who God is and how He feels about me. I found my true identity in God's Word, and you can too!
Biblical Truths About You (& Me)
All Scripture quotations are from the ESV unless otherwise noted.
You are God’s Creation
And God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Genesis 1:27-30
When everything else is uncertain, remind yourself that the beginning of your identity is in the fact that you’re the image of God, the creator of the universe. You’re made by Him.
For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well. Psalm 139:13-16
The Creator of the entire universe made you. You! Not a general you. Not you as a part of the lump called “humanity.” But you. He specifically made you. And because everything that He makes or does is wonderful, so are you.
The Creator of the entire universe made you. And because everything that He makes or does is wonderful, so are you.You are God’s Family
For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:26
You’re God’s daughter, simply because of your faith in Jesus Christ. Because of your faith, you can now say, “I’m a member of God’s family.”
But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. John 1:12
You’re a confessed believer in Jesus and therefore a child of God. So you’re entitled to every promise that God has made to His family. Like His promise of your eternal salvation, His promise to never leave you, and His promise to finish the good work that He started in you.
You are God’s Anointed
Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations. Jeremiah 1:5
Even when you have no clue who you are, God does. Because He knows you. So why not ask Him to guide you into the knowledge and fullness of who He’s always meant you to be?
Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 1 Corinthians 3:16
Once you’ve been born again, you no longer belong only to yourself; you belong to God now. So part of your identity is that of dwelling place for His Holy Spirit. That literally means God’s awesome holiness lives in you.
No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you. John 15:15
Not only are you God’s daughter and therefore a part of His family. You’re also Jesus’ friend. Wow! That’s amazing. You’re stuck with family but you get to choose your friends. And Jesus chose to be your friend. Now, what does that say about the value that Jesus places on you, that He should choose to be friends with you?
Even when you have no clue who you are, God does. Because He knows you. So why not ask Him to guide you into the knowledge and fullness of who He’s always meant you to be?You are God’s Love
The Lord appeared to us in the past. He said, “I have loved you with a love that lasts forever. I have kept on loving you with a kindness that never fails. Jeremiah 31:3 (NIRV)
God loves you…forever. He loved you in the past, He loves you now and He’ll always love you. Despite and through everything. God. Loves. You.
Lord, you have seen what is in my heart. You know all about me. You know when I sit down and when I get up. You know what I’m thinking even though you are far away. Psalm 139:1 (NIRV)
God sees and knows what’s really in your heart and your thoughts. And He loves you anyway. Yes, of course, that says a lot about who He is. But it also shows how much value He places on you, that He should love you despite all that. He must think you’re pretty wonderful.
Now I Know Who I Am
My friend never asked me that question again. But two years after our initial conversation, it suddenly dawned on me that I finally had an answer for her.
I know who I am because God’s Word has taught me who He made me to be.
I know who I am because the Bible has taught me who God made me to be.Of course, some things about me change from day to day, or year to year. But the core of who I am is now firmly established in Christ.
So if my friend asked me again today, “Who are you, Kris?” my unhesitating answer would be:
I’m God’s daughter. He created me in His image, saved me by His grace, and made me to do good works. I’m a woman overcome by His mercy and love, trying to pay it forward. Because that’s the only way to truly express my gratitude. I’m a servant, determined to fulfill the call of my Master on my life. Because I want my, “Well done, good and faithful Kris,” when the time comes. I’m Jesus’ sister and friend, and the Holy Spirit’s constant companion. I’m God’s precious love.
That’s who I am. Because that’s who God made me to be.
And who are you?
–Kristine Bolt
A few years ago, Kris was living a life that looked great from the outside but was far from great on the inside. She knew something was wrong but didn’t know exactly what, and nothing she tried could make her happy in her unhappy but attractive life. Then God dramatically handed her the keys to unlock her life. So much drama! Now she shares what she’s learned, so that other women can proactively make new decisions and avoid their own painful and unnecessary drama. Read more at KristineBolt.com and connect with Kristine on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest.
