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So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
Colossians 2:6-7 (ESV)

Who am I?

Pain, beyond anything I could ever imagine as the result of the death of my husband, has robbed me of so much, but one thing it cannot rob me of is my identity. Or will it?

Often as widows, we are thrust into a myriad of emotions related to our identity. Even the word “widow” evokes strong emotions. I bet most of us can tell you exactly the first time we were called a widow. Or the first time we had to check the dreaded box on a form. No one wants to be a member of this club. As widows, we can spend years struggling with trying to redefine who we are now that we are no longer someone’s wife. Sometimes we are even tempted to quickly look for another spouse – just so we can continue being someone’s wife.

Before our husbands died, we felt like we knew where our lives were headed. Now everything is different and unfamiliar. Often, we begin to falter, to hesitate in our purpose and in our actions. As we lose sight of our purpose we can become trapped in our grief. Our family and friends want to help, but many times they just don’t know what to say or do.

Our identity is in Christ!

This week as I was studying the book of Colossians, I started to notice the consistency of Paul’s approach to speaking to believers throughout Scripture. Each time he began encouraging other believers to stay the course during difficult times, he always started by reminding them who they are in Christ. They were not defined by their faults, their circumstances, or their marital status. He identified them as being in Christ. Period.

As believers, our identity in Christ tells the greatest story of all. We are God’s children. Christ lives in us and we live in Him. Our life isn’t just for our happiness, our life is serving eternal purposes. And we are not doing it alone! We have everything we need to live according to God’s will. Even in our weakest moments, God is being glorified – because He lives in us. Our lives are an opportunity for others to see His power and His strength in action. Because we are His, we are holy and set apart. There is nothing to fear as we continue our journey in Him. We live in His presence for all eternity. What a truly amazing gift! There is no greater gift and we must not lose sight of who we are in Him.

Ask others to help you remember who you are in Christ!

I miss my husband terribly and there are still days when I think – all I want to be is his wife again. I forget my identity rests in Christ and in Christ alone. We all need to be reminded of who we are, just as Paul reminded our brothers and sisters.

Ask your family and friends to follow in Paul’s footsteps and encourage you by reminding you that your identity is in Christ and Christ alone. Encourage them to not look at you as a “widow” or someone who is “broken” or needs to be “fixed”, but to look at you as someone in whom Christ lives.

Ask them to share with you how they see God working in you and through you so that you may be built up in your faith. By asking them to encourage you, it will not only help you, but it will them stay focused on seeing how God is working in the body of Christ. Remember, you are a precious part of His body – it is who you are and will always be!

Remembering who we are helps us overflow with thankfulness!

As a precious part of the body of Christ, I have much to be thankful for! There is purpose and meaning in my life. I am created in God’s image and He lives in me. Each and every day is a gift from the One who loves us most of all!

Dear Lord, thank You for loving us more than we can possibly imagine. We are so thankful we are Yours! Amen.