As we journey on this Christian pilgrimage, many face distraction, discouragement, defeat and even destruction, leading them down paths other than the one God desires for us to travel. As I see this and have seen it in my life, I am reminded of Proverbs 14:12: "There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death" (NLT).

Pondering on these defeats and discouraging times in my life, I ask a daunting question. Why had I fallen when I knew I had the victory in these areas? My shame and sorrow further guided me to "places" I desired not to go. Instead of confessing my sins and asking God for forgiveness, I chose to and allowed myself to sink deep into waters of weariness where the floods of unforgiveness entangled me and darkness attempted to drown me.

Like a meth user trying to overcome an addiction, I struggled daily with the spiritual insomnia of inconsistently walking in the "light" and "walking in the Spirit." I experienced a growth of weariness from shame and a strong desire to live a holy life pleasing to God. 

Without a doubt, I knew then and still know now that Christ lives in me. I also know "those who do what their sinful old selves want to do cannot please God" (Romans 8:8, NLV); however, I came to realize that God had not called me and appointed me to walk in the flesh, but the reality of my failures illuminated to me I was walking in the flesh and not in the Spirit. Yes! I knew Christ lived in my life; however, the realization why I was struggling so much came to light after reading through the book of Romans, especially chapters 6–8.

My ways, my worship, my walk, and my witness were not pleasing to God. As I continued to cry out, I found my answer. I was in a major identity crisis. After all my years of being saved, I DID NOT KNOW WHO I WAS IN CHRIST! My awakening was that in order for me to know who I was in Christ, I had to know who Christ was. Knowing who you are in Christ will not immune you from life's calamities, circumstances, or challenges. However, knowing who you are in Christ will ignite the fire in you; push you to prayer; reveal God's righteousness, lead you to meditate in the Word, and restore an excitement in you to be obedient and spreading the gospel as a disciple of Christ.

It is my hope and prayer that you discover who you are in Christ. It is not enough for someone to share with you about Christ or just read about Him; instead, you must have a personal experience with Him. I believe your time spent in prayer and meditating on the Word of God will ignite a passion in you to stop and "behold" who you are in Christ. As you "be still and know that He is God, " I encourage you to dwell on these three questions: