Introduction
Welcome to the second stage of your journey.
You have just taken the time to acknowledge certain wounds that have marked your history. This awareness is essential, but it represents only part of the path.
It is possible to know the origin of our wounds while continuing to see ourselves through them. For years, our identity can be shaped by what we have experienced, by the words we have heard, by the labels we have been given, or by the lies we have come to believe about ourselves.
Yet, God does not call us to build our lives on this old identity.
In Jesus Christ, He offers us a new identity. An identity that depends neither on our past, nor on our wounds, nor on our failures, but on what He declares about us.
This stage invites you to discover this new identity and to gradually learn to see yourself as God sees you.
For true reconstruction is not just about healing from wounds. It is also about rebuilding your life on the truth of God.
Key takeaway
Healing restores your heart. Your identity in Christ transforms how you see yourself.
📖 Meditation Verse
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
2 Corinthians 5:17
I-) What is identity?
📖 Proverbs 23.7
"For as he thinks in his heart, so is he."
Identity is how a person perceives themselves and answers the question: "Who am I?"
It profoundly influences how we think, feel, make decisions, and relate to others. Often, we act according to the image we have of ourselves.
Our identity is progressively built throughout our lives. From childhood, we are influenced by our environment, our upbringing, the words we receive, the experiences we go through, and how others perceive us. All these influences can shape how we see ourselves, sometimes accurately, but sometimes also in a deeply distorted way.
When a person grows up with rejection, a lack of love, criticism, or humiliation, they may come to believe that they are worthless, undeserving of love, or not worthy of happiness. Over time, these lies are no longer just thoughts: they can become a real identity.
Yet, our identity should never be defined by our wounds, failures, or past.
God desires for us to discover an identity founded on His truth. An identity that does not depend on what others have said about us, but on what He declares about us.
Before discovering this new identity, it is important to understand how it is built.
🌳 Understanding Identity through the Image of a Tree
📖 Jeremiah 17:7-8
"Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord... He is like a tree planted by the water... Its leaf remains green, and it never ceases to bear fruit."
To better understand what identity is, let's imagine a tree.
Just like a tree, our life has invisible and visible parts. Yet, it is the invisible parts that determine what will be visible.
The Roots: Our Foundations
The roots represent the foundations on which our life has been built.
They include our history, our upbringing, the words we have received, our experiences, our wounds, our beliefs, our values, and everything that has contributed to shaping our lives.
They are what nourish the entire tree.
When the foundations are solid, the tree grows with stability. Conversely, when the roots are weakened or nourished by lies, the entire tree suffers the consequences.
The Trunk: What I Am
The trunk represents what I am.
It is the reflection of what my roots have progressively built in me. It represents the identity that has developed throughout my history.
If my roots have been nourished by rejection, abandonment, criticism, or lies, it is possible that my identity bears these marks.
However, when my foundations are progressively restored and nourished by God's truth, a new identity can develop. Little by little, I cease to be defined by my wounds to become the person God calls me to be.
The Branches: The Different Areas of My Life
The branches represent the different areas of our lives.
They illustrate our family relationships, our marriage, our work, our ministry, our studies, our friendships, our finances, our health, and all the spheres in which we evolve.
In other words, what we are inwardly gradually influences how we live in each of these areas.
The Leaves and Fruits: Visible Results
The leaves and fruits represent what is visible.
They reflect our character, our attitudes, our words, our reactions, our choices, our inner peace, the quality of our relationships, our fulfillment, and the impact we have around us.
Fruits never appear by chance.
They are the consequence of the foundations on which our life has been built and the identity that has developed from these foundations.
This is why God does not simply seek to change our behaviors. He first desires to restore our foundations, rebuild our identity, so that our lives naturally bear new fruit.
🌿 To Remember
The fruits of our lives often reveal the state of our foundations. When God restores our roots and rebuilds our identity, our way of life progressively changes, and new fruits naturally appear.
II-) My Old Identity
📖 Ephesians 4:22-24
"You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self… and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness."
Before encountering Jesus Christ, each of us builds an identity based on our experiences. This identity gradually takes shape over the years, influenced by our environment, education, experiences, wounds, and the words we receive.
Without realizing it, we can end up defining ourselves by our past.
Some people see themselves as rejected because they have been rejected. Others consider themselves worthless because they grew up in an environment where they never felt loved or recognized. Still others define themselves by their failures, mistakes, or the labels others have placed on them.
Over time, these experiences end up influencing how we think, speak, and live. We no longer just say: "I was rejected," but unconsciously: "I am rejected." We no longer say: "I failed," but: "I am a failure."
This is how the old identity is born: an identity built on wounds, circumstances, and lies rather than on truth.
Yet, what you have experienced is not who you are.
Your story explains some of your suffering, but it does not define your worth. Your past tells part of your journey, but it does not determine your future.
Before you can embrace the new identity God offers you, it is important to recognize this old identity, so that you no longer let wounds speak for you.
Key Takeaway
Your old identity is the result of what you have experienced. Your new identity is the fruit of what God declares about you.
📖 Meditation Verse
"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind..."
Romans 12:2
III-) My New Identity
📖 2 Corinthians 5:17
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"
When we place our faith in Jesus Christ, God doesn't just forgive our sins. He performs a much deeper work: He gives us a new identity.
This new identity is not the result of our efforts, our performance, or our past. It is a gift from God, received by grace.
In Christ, we are no longer defined by our wounds, our failures, our mistakes, or the opinions of others. We are now defined by what God declares about us.
This doesn't mean that our past disappears or that we instantly forget all our suffering. It means that our past no longer forms the foundation of our identity.
From the moment we belong to Jesus Christ, we can gradually learn to replace the lies we have believed for years with the truth of His Word.
This new identity then becomes the foundation upon which God desires to rebuild our lives.
That's why it's so important to know what God says about us. The more we discover His truth, the more our way of thinking, speaking, and living is transformed.
Healing restores our heart.
Identity in Christ renews our minds.
And this transformation allows us to progressively walk in the freedom God has prepared for us.
Key Takeaway
In Christ, you are no longer defined by what has happened to you, but by what God says about you.
📖 Meditation Verse
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."
2 Corinthians 5:17
IV-) Old Identity VS New Identity
My old identity
- ❌ I defined myself by my wounds.
- ❌ My worth depended on others' opinions.
- ❌ I lived in fear.
- ❌ My past seemed to determine my future.
- ❌ I believed the lies I heard about myself.
My new identity in Christ
- ✅ I define myself by the Word of God.
- ✅ My worth is established by God.
- ✅ I can walk in confidence.
- ✅ My future is in God's hands.
- ✅ I choose to believe what God says about me.
V-) An Invitation to Receive This New Identity
📖 John 1:12
"Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God."
Perhaps during this journey, you recognized yourself in some wounds. Perhaps you began to understand why certain sufferings continue to influence your life. You discovered the importance of forgiveness, you began to look at your story with new eyes, and today you desire to move towards true healing.
But one question remains.
How can you live this new life sustainably?
Because it's not enough to recognize your wounds to be completely transformed. Nor is it enough to replace a few bad habits or try to be a better person.
True transformation begins when our life finds a new foundation.
Since the beginning of this journey, we have seen that our identity has been built throughout our history. Our wounds, our experiences, and the words received have sometimes shaped an image of ourselves that does not correspond to God's truth.
The good news is that God doesn't just want to repair this old identity.
He desires to give us a new one.
This is precisely why Jesus Christ came to earth.
Out of love for us, He died on the cross to bear the weight of our sins, to reconcile us with God, and to offer us a new life. Three days later, He rose again, thus demonstrating His victory over sin and death.
Thanks to His work, everyone can receive forgiveness for their sins, become a child of God, and begin a new life.
This new identity no longer depends on our past, our wounds, our failures, or the opinions of others.
It is based on what God declares about us.
Throughout this journey, we have used the image of a tree.
When the roots are sick, the entire tree suffers the consequences.
Similarly, when our foundations are marked by wounds and lies, our identity and our way of life are deeply affected.
In Jesus Christ, God invites us to build our lives on a new foundation. Gradually, our old beliefs are replaced by His truth, our identity is renewed, and a new way of living can emerge.
If you have never committed your life to Jesus Christ, know that this invitation is also for you.
God loves you deeply. He knows your story, your wounds, your struggles, and your tears. Nothing you have experienced prevents Him from welcoming you today.
He freely offers you a new life and a new identity.
This decision is yours.
No one can make it for you.
But if you desire to welcome Jesus Christ into your life today, you can sincerely offer Him this prayer.
Prayer to receive Jesus Christ
Lord Jesus,
I come to you as I am.
Thank you for loving me despite my history, my wounds, and my mistakes.
Today, I recognize that I need you.
I believe that you died on the cross for my sins and that you rose again to give me new life.
I ask you to forgive me, to come and live in my heart, and to become the Lord of my life.
I renounce my old way of life and I choose to walk with you.
Thank you for making me your child and for giving me a new identity founded on your love and your truth.
Lead me every day and teach me to know you more.
Amen.
If you have just prayed this prayer…
If you have prayed this prayer sincerely, the Bible teaches us that you have now entered into a new relationship with God. You have become His child, and a new life begins today.
Of course, this is not the end of the journey. It is the beginning of a wonderful adventure with God.
I now encourage you to continue this journey. In the next sections, you will discover what God says about you and how to progressively build your life on this new identity.
Welcome to this new life, my Rebuilt One. God has begun a beautiful work in you, and He will lead you, one step at a time, towards the person He has always intended you to be.
VI-) Who am I now?
Discovering your new identity isn't just about memorizing new verses. It's about learning to believe what God says about us, even when our emotions, past, or experiences seem to say otherwise.
For a long time, you may have defined yourself by your wounds, failures, or the opinions of others. Today, God invites you to replace these old markers with His truth.
Here are some truths that God's Word declares about you.
I am a child of God
You are no longer an orphan. You belong to a family. God is your Father, and you are His beloved child.
📖 John 1:12
"But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God."
I am loved
God's love does not depend on your performance, your past, or your successes. He loves you with a perfect and unconditional love.
📖 Jeremiah 31:3
"I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you."
I am forgiven
In Christ, your faults no longer define your identity. You have received His forgiveness.
📖 Ephesians 1:7
"In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins."
I am accepted
You no longer need to earn God's approval. In Jesus Christ, you are fully welcomed.
📖 Romans 15:7
I am precious
Your worth does not depend on the opinions of men. God gives you infinite value.
📖 Isaiah 43:4
"Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you..."
I am a new creation
Your past no longer determines your future. God is doing a new work in your life.
📖 2 Corinthians 5:17
I am free
Christ came to set you free from everything that held you captive.
📖 Galatians 5:1
I am an heir of God
You are part of God's family and you share in His promises.
📖 Romans 8:17
To go further
The truths presented in this section are just a glimpse of what God's Word reveals about your identity in Christ.
The Bible is rich with many promises and declarations that bear witness to God's love, your value in His eyes, and all that He has accomplished for you in Jesus Christ.
The more you take the time to read, meditate on, and immerse yourself in God's Word, the more you will discover who you truly are. Little by little, your mind will be renewed, your faith will grow, and your new roots will sink deep into the truth.
This new identity is not built in a day. It takes root gradually, as you choose to believe what God says about you rather than what your past, your wounds, or others may have led you to believe.
Key takeaway
The more I know God's Word, the more I discover who I am in Christ. And the more I discover who I am in Christ, the more deeply rooted I become in the truth.
VII-) Renewing Your Mind
Romans 12:2
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Discovering your identity in Christ is a first step. Learning to live according to that identity is another.
When we give our lives to Jesus Christ, our identity immediately changes in God's eyes. However, our way of thinking, reacting, and seeing things does not automatically change. It needs to be renewed.
For years, our minds have been shaped by our upbringing, our environment, our wounds, our experiences, and the words we have heard. Without realizing it, we have developed ways of thinking that are not always in line with God's truth.
That is why it is possible to be a new creature in Christ while continuing to perceive oneself as rejected, worthless, or incapable. Our old way of thinking can still exert an influence on our lives if we do not confront it with the Word of God.
Renewing our minds involves gradually replacing lies with the truth. It means choosing to believe what God says about us, even when our emotions or past seem to tell a different story.
This renewal is a process. It requires time, perseverance, and regular exposure to the Word of God. The more we meditate on it, the more our way of thinking transforms, and the more our lives align with our true identity.
God does not just want to change our eternal destiny. He also desires to transform our way of thinking so that we can fully live the life He has prepared for us.
Key takeaway
A new identity progressively produces a new way of thinking.
VIII-) Walking in This New Identity
📖 Romans 6:4
"Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life."
Discovering your identity in Christ is one thing. Choosing to live each day from that identity is another.
God does not reveal who we are simply to enrich our knowledge. He desires this truth to progressively transform our way of life.
Walking in your new identity means learning to make decisions, speak, think, and act in accordance with what God says about us.
This doesn't mean we will be perfect overnight. There will still be times when our old ways of thinking resurface or certain wounds try to take hold again. But now, we have a choice. We can recognize these old voices and decide to cling to God's truth rather than the lies of our past.
Walking in your new identity is a daily learning process. Every day, we choose to let God's Word shape our hearts, renew our minds, and guide our steps.
The more we walk with God, the more natural this new identity becomes. Little by little, we stop living according to our wounds and start living according to the person God calls us to be.
This journey requires perseverance, but it leads to true freedom. For when our identity is firmly rooted in Christ, circumstances, the opinions of others, or our past can no longer define our worth.
Key takeaway
Receiving a new identity in Christ is the starting point of a new life. God does not only call us to believe differently, but also to live differently. Every day, we are invited to walk in accordance with this new identity, progressively allowing God's Word to transform our thoughts, choices, attitudes, and relationships.
📖 Colossians 2:6-7
"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith..."
IX-) Do your second review
You have just discovered that God does not see you as your past has taught you to see yourself.
Take a moment to reflect on everything you have just read. Perhaps some truths have encouraged you, others have surprised you, or even challenged you.
The goal of this step was to help you shift the foundation of your identity: no longer building it on your wounds, but on the truth of God's Word.
From today, you can choose to let this truth progressively transform how you see yourself.
Key takeaway
The more I root myself in God's truth, the more my identity in Christ becomes the foundation of my life.
📖 Verse for meditation
"Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
John 8:32
X-) Ready for the next step?
Healing from your wounds is essential.
Discovering your identity in Christ is indispensable.
But God desires to go even further.
He doesn't just call you to be restored. He also calls you to grow, to bear fruit, to develop the gifts He has placed in you, and to live fully the life He has prepared for you.
Healing has restored your heart.
Your identity in Christ has given you a new foundation.
It is now time to build on that foundation.
Welcome to the next step of your journey:
🌱 I want to flourish
