Devotionals for the Heart: How to cure an identity crisis with God's truth

The Only Title that Matters
A devotional by Joyce M. Averils

But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.”

—Isaiah 43:1 (ESV)

A while ago, I had a coaching client who found herself in the middle of a full-blown identity crisis.

On paper, her life looked great. She had a good-paying job, a supportive family, and the kind of professional status that turns heads in a room. But when she sat across from me on Zoom, her eyes filled with tears. She whispered, “I hate my job. Every day, I feel like a piece of me is dying. I want to quit, but I just can’t.”

It wasn’t about money—she and her husband had already discussed it, and they were on the same page. The bills would be paid. The kids would be fine. The issue wasn’t her bank account. It was her identity.

“I don’t know who I am without this job title,” she said.

Maybe you’ve never said those exact words, but I wonder, have you ever felt like you were only valuable because of what you do at work or at church? Have you ever wondered who you’d be if the titles, the accolades, or the responsibilities were stripped away? If so, you’re not alone. This is something many women, especially high-achieving women, struggle with. They’ve spent years climbing ladders, meeting expectations, and wearing masks just to prove their worth.

I want to lovingly remind you of this truth: You are not what you do. You are who God says you are. The life of Abraham gives us a powerful reminder that our identity is found in belonging to God, not in doing great things for God.

If Abraham had a LinkedIn profile, it would be impressive: left his homeland in obedience to God’s call, trusted God for a child in his old age, nearly sacrificed his son out of sheer faith. But let’s be honest, Abraham had some missteps too. He lied (not once, but twice) about Sarah being his sister instead of his wife. He and his wife became impatient and tried to help God’s plan for a heir of their own along by having a child with Hagar who was Sarah’s servant. And there were moments when his faith wavered. But, despite all of those wrong turns and lack of unwavering faith in the promises of God, Scripture tells us in James 2:23 (ESV), “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God.”

God didn’t define Abraham by his failures or his achievements. He saw his faith. He saw his heart. And He called him friend. Isn’t that encouraging? The Creator of Heaven and Earth doesn’t look at your résumé, social media followers, or your to-do list to determine your worth. He looks at your heart. And when He sees you in Christ, He sees righteousness, holiness, and redemption (1 Corinthians 1:30).

We live in a world that constantly tries to name us: successful, unsuccessful, too old, not enough, behind, broken, busy, burnt out. But you and I don’t belong to this world. We belong to a kingdom where value isn’t based on performance, but on presence—God’s presence in you. We matter to God because we belong to Him. Our security and true identity are found in being a follower of Jesus Christ, a child of the Eternal King. We are not truly defined by our job title nor is our worth in it. You have priceless value and are treasured by God not because of your perfectly curated life nor because of your ministry work for Him. Your identity, your value, your wholeness all comes from being in Christ. This is the truth: Your identity as a child of the Most High God is the greatest title you will ever carry.

So don’t let the enemy—or your own inner critic—put any other label on you. Not “failure”, not “has-been”, not “too late”, not “not enough.” God calls you chosen, beloved, redeemed, and His Child. That’s the only name that matters in eternity.

You may change careers. You may shift roles. Life may take you through different seasons. But none of that changes who you are in God’s eyes. You are His. Period.

So today, if you’ve been finding your identity in what you do, I invite you to lay it down. Just lay it all at His feet. And in its place, pick up the truth of who you really are. The world may celebrate what you do, but Heaven rejoices in who you are.

Let’s Pray:

Heavenly Father,

Help me to remember that I am Yours not because of what I do, but because of who You are. Strip away every false identity I’ve clung to and remind me that I am accepted, loved, and enough just as I am. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “The Truth” by Megan Woods. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Who You Say I Am” by Hillsong Worship. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Joyce M. Averils is an attorney by education and a retired judge who currently works as a Life Purpose and Business Empowerment Coach. 

She attended the University of South Carolina where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Humanities and Social Sciences, with a concentration in Political Science in May 1981. Upon graduation from the University, she attended The Ohio State University’s Moritz College of Law, where she graduated with a Juris Doctor degree in June 1984. Joyce was admitted to the Georgia Bar in November of 1984.

During her legal career, she served as the legal advisor for an episode of the American television program “Designing Women”. She also successfully argued a zoning case before the Georgia Supreme Court.

Today, she is the founder of Averils Omnimedia, LLC. It includes Her RICH Coaching where she helps high-achieving women of faith create a purpose-aligned life and business through coaching programs, workshops, and retreats. She recently launched 26th & Alden Paper Design House which will release its first paper product in early 2025.

Joyce believes that God created women to accomplish the extraordinary by living their purpose, calling, and assignment. He has chosen every woman to fulfill a calling that is hers alone. And if she does not answer that calling, then that work will never be done. Joyce knows that there are people who are waiting for help that only God can give and only God can use His people to help each other. Joyce believes that we are called by God to help each other. She wants to answer that call and inspire others to answer it too so we can be of service to God.

Her life verse is John 17:4 (NIV), “I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do.” In addition to being an entrepreneur, Joyce currently serves as the Associate Teaching Director for the Community Bible Study International class in Georgetown, SC.

Joyce makes her home on the coast of South Carolina.

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Connect with Joyce:
Website: www.herrichlife.com
Facebook Ministry: www.facebook.com/groups/thepurposealignedwoman
Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/coachlabforaspiringchristianwomencoaches
Facebook: www.facebook.com/@HerRichLife
Instagram: www.instagram.com/herrichlife
Email address: joyce@herrichlife.com