The Mirriam Webster dictionary describes an identity crisis as “A
feeling of unhappiness and confusion caused by not being sure of what type of
person you really are or what the true purpose of your life is.” The Free
dictionary says it this way; “A psychosocial state or condition of
disorientation and role confusion occurring especially in adolescents as a
result of conflicting internal and external experiences, pressures and
expectations and often producing acute
anxiety”
feeling of unhappiness and confusion caused by not being sure of what type of
person you really are or what the true purpose of your life is.” The Free
dictionary says it this way; “A psychosocial state or condition of
disorientation and role confusion occurring especially in adolescents as a
result of conflicting internal and external experiences, pressures and
expectations and often producing acute
anxiety”
Theorist
Erik Erikson coined the term “identity crisis.” He said “it is a time of
intensive analysis and exploration of different ways of looking at oneself.” He
described “identity” as: …a subjective sense as well as an observable quality
of personal sameness and continuity, paired with some belief in the sameness
and continuity of some shared world image.”
Erik Erikson coined the term “identity crisis.” He said “it is a time of
intensive analysis and exploration of different ways of looking at oneself.” He
described “identity” as: …a subjective sense as well as an observable quality
of personal sameness and continuity, paired with some belief in the sameness
and continuity of some shared world image.”
James
Marcia said, “The balance between identity and confusion lies in making a commitment to an identity.” To quote our
source, psychology.about.com, “Researchers have found that those who have made
a strong commitment to an identity
tend to be happier and healthier than those who have not.”
Marcia said, “The balance between identity and confusion lies in making a commitment to an identity.” To quote our
source, psychology.about.com, “Researchers have found that those who have made
a strong commitment to an identity
tend to be happier and healthier than those who have not.”
Marcia
gives us four identity statuses built on “commitment” or “exploration.” Those
high on both commitment and exploration he calls “identity achieved.” These explored
and committed to the identity of their choice. Those low on commitment and
exploration are called “identity diffused.” These are your rebellious teen
types. Those high on exploration but low on commitment he called “Moratorium.” These
put major decisions on hold. Lastly the guy who is high on commitment and low
on exploration are said to be “foreclosed.” These have closed off any serious
contemplation about what they really want out of life.
gives us four identity statuses built on “commitment” or “exploration.” Those
high on both commitment and exploration he calls “identity achieved.” These explored
and committed to the identity of their choice. Those low on commitment and
exploration are called “identity diffused.” These are your rebellious teen
types. Those high on exploration but low on commitment he called “Moratorium.” These
put major decisions on hold. Lastly the guy who is high on commitment and low
on exploration are said to be “foreclosed.” These have closed off any serious
contemplation about what they really want out of life.
Dr
Carl Stevens, founder of “Greater Grace World Outreach” said, “Sooner or later,
every one of us must face an identity crisis. We must admit that we have
accumulated things that have made us who we are. Then, we must take care of
those things by committing them once and for all to the Finished Work, where we
have already been crucified with Christ.”
Carl Stevens, founder of “Greater Grace World Outreach” said, “Sooner or later,
every one of us must face an identity crisis. We must admit that we have
accumulated things that have made us who we are. Then, we must take care of
those things by committing them once and for all to the Finished Work, where we
have already been crucified with Christ.”
Pastor
Stevens goes on to say, “God is ontological. Very simply, this means that God
has always been everything He is and ever will be. Even before He created the
angels and the human race, God was who He is now and who He will be forever. In
contrast, God is not “economical,” meaning that God does not operate on the
basis of “relative administration.”
Stevens goes on to say, “God is ontological. Very simply, this means that God
has always been everything He is and ever will be. Even before He created the
angels and the human race, God was who He is now and who He will be forever. In
contrast, God is not “economical,” meaning that God does not operate on the
basis of “relative administration.”
“For
example, because God created man, the economical approach to man’s sin would
have been for God to become love at that point. But God is not economical, (efficient
use of resources) and His love is not based upon the entrance of sin upon the
earth. His love is not based upon the fact of man’s failure and that
He must now rescue us with love. God’s
love is based upon His ontological nature—the nature that He has always had and
always will have.”
example, because God created man, the economical approach to man’s sin would
have been for God to become love at that point. But God is not economical, (efficient
use of resources) and His love is not based upon the entrance of sin upon the
earth. His love is not based upon the fact of man’s failure and that
He must now rescue us with love. God’s
love is based upon His ontological nature—the nature that He has always had and
always will have.”
“He
is love, He always was love, and He always will be love, as He says in
Revelation 1:8. Inasmuch as God is ontological; God is not capricious, or
arbitrary, toward the objects of His love. God is indeed love. God’s love is a
love beyond any love; His joy is a joy beyond any joy; and His forgiveness is a
forgiveness beyond any forgiveness. His wisdom is a wisdom beyond any wisdom,
and His power is a power beyond any power. This is what makes God the origin and
the source of everything—from His power that is omnipotent, from His knowledge
that is omniscient, and from His presence that is omnipresent.”
is love, He always was love, and He always will be love, as He says in
Revelation 1:8. Inasmuch as God is ontological; God is not capricious, or
arbitrary, toward the objects of His love. God is indeed love. God’s love is a
love beyond any love; His joy is a joy beyond any joy; and His forgiveness is a
forgiveness beyond any forgiveness. His wisdom is a wisdom beyond any wisdom,
and His power is a power beyond any power. This is what makes God the origin and
the source of everything—from His power that is omnipotent, from His knowledge
that is omniscient, and from His presence that is omnipresent.”
What
does it all mean? Simply put, the crisis of our identity as believers is a jump out of all identity crises. It includes a dying to the time-invented efficient use
of resources in economical thinking. A life committed to Christ’s cross and
resurrection need not fret over worldly progress, or worldly lack of progress.
What is that to this eternal life? Of course we have to use this world as we
are temporarily relegated to this earth, but we don’t abuse that, nor make our
identity a mere temporal one.
does it all mean? Simply put, the crisis of our identity as believers is a jump out of all identity crises. It includes a dying to the time-invented efficient use
of resources in economical thinking. A life committed to Christ’s cross and
resurrection need not fret over worldly progress, or worldly lack of progress.
What is that to this eternal life? Of course we have to use this world as we
are temporarily relegated to this earth, but we don’t abuse that, nor make our
identity a mere temporal one.
We
are from above, dear committed ones; we are not sentimental to earthly wants or
needs. We are seated above. We are not economical first but embracing the ontological
and forsaking fickleness, temperamental stuff, changeableness, moodiness etc. No
longer do we have to suffer from the plagues of the past or plagues of people
who have wounded us.
are from above, dear committed ones; we are not sentimental to earthly wants or
needs. We are seated above. We are not economical first but embracing the ontological
and forsaking fickleness, temperamental stuff, changeableness, moodiness etc. No
longer do we have to suffer from the plagues of the past or plagues of people
who have wounded us.
The
words of our pastor echoes in our hearts, “We must stand firm in an identity
that is derived from the Cross. An identity derived from the Cross is never
sentimental; it does not compromise.” Don’t get sucked into an identity which
is merely an earthly one. Commit, pledge, bind, promise, focus and carry out.
What? Unchanging, solid, not fleeting but in the depth of my being, I cleave to
my identity in Jesus Christ; old things are passed away, all things have become
new!
words of our pastor echoes in our hearts, “We must stand firm in an identity
that is derived from the Cross. An identity derived from the Cross is never
sentimental; it does not compromise.” Don’t get sucked into an identity which
is merely an earthly one. Commit, pledge, bind, promise, focus and carry out.
What? Unchanging, solid, not fleeting but in the depth of my being, I cleave to
my identity in Jesus Christ; old things are passed away, all things have become
new!
Finally,
the whole creation groans and travails for the manifestation of the sons of
God. What’s that? That’s the day when we shall see Him and guess what? We shall
be like Him. Friends, as He is, so are ye in this world. That is our identity. love ya
the whole creation groans and travails for the manifestation of the sons of
God. What’s that? That’s the day when we shall see Him and guess what? We shall
be like Him. Friends, as He is, so are ye in this world. That is our identity. love ya
Well said, my brother. A word in due season……