Do we know who we are?

I recently finished reading the story of Elizabeth Smart, "My Story." Smart was taken from her home at knife-point when she was only 14-years-old, raped daily, sexually abused, threatened, starved, dehydrated and manipulated for 9 months at the hands of her captors. Yet, through it all, she not only experienced many miracles, she also kept a strong sense of self, had strength and wisdom beyond her years and had faith in Heavenly Father. She was able to get through her horrific experience with her head held high.

How is this possible? How could she keep so strong?

Because she knows who she is.

She was raised knowing and was also taught in church that she is a daughter of God. How would this change things if we all truly believed and knew this fundamental truth?

Sheri Dew, in a 2001 address to women said:

"Our spirits long for us to remember the truth about who we are, because the way we see ourselves, our sense of identity, affects everything we do. It affects the way we behave, the way we respond to uncertainty, the way we see others, the way we feel about ourselves, and the way we make choices. It affects the very way we live our lives."

This surely influenced Smart in her heroism in a terrible situation. The knowledge of who we really are can do the same for us in our life's trials. This knowledge can change the way we think, act, feel and treat others--all of us children of God.

When we know who we are, we become an unstoppable force for righteousness. Dew continues:

"Satan's all-out attempt to prevent us from understanding how the Lord sees us, because the more clearly we understand our divine destiny, the more immune we become to Satan."

The world is full of confusion, especially when it comes to our identities. We feel inferior, we don't know the paths to take, we feel purposeless. We believe the lies the world (Satan) tells us--we're ugly, fat, weak, unsuccessful, bad moms, friendless and alone. But, the opposite is true.

We are created in the image of a perfect God. We are children of God. We are far more amazing than we can imagine. We can do more than we ever thought possible. We are so precious as individuals that God sent His only son to pay the price for us, an ultimate sacrifice of a perfect life, to save us in our imperfect lives.

If you don't know who you are yet, or you don't believe it, find out. Ponder, pray, search so you can fully come to know and understand who you are--who you have always been.

Other suggested blog posts: 

Dreaming about Someday

Girl Loves Glam

© Wendy 2014