The Journey to Authentic Self: Finding Yourself Through God

How many times have you thought to yourself or even heard others say “Just be yourself!” Having anxiety and a fear of speaking most of my life, I’ve heard this phrase way too often. Most times it was friends trying to get me to go outside of my comfort zone. It never worked for me. It just wasn’t happening. However, being myself was always scary because I was worried about what other people would think of me. If I had listened to them and tried to go outside my comfort zone, I can guarantee you, I wouldn’t have been my authentic self. I say that because I didn’t know who I was back then. I was full of self-doubt, fear, and anxiety.

So what exactly does it mean when you just be yourself? To me, it means finding yourself first. It means learning who you are and why you are the way you are. I’m a firm believer in the saying “Everything happens for a reason.” See, your childhood, circumstances, obstacles, etc. were designed to shape you into the person you were meant to be. So if you are in a space right now where you feel like you don’t belong no matter where you go, the most important thing you can do right now is trust that God has you right where He wants you. You don’t have to “force” yourself to be like everyone else in the room. That isn’t your assignment. God is preparing you for something greater.

Once you accept that God is working on you and it’s ok to be still, the next best thing to do is spend as much time as you can with Him. There’s a reason you feel “different” and you have to learn to accept that feeling. It only means that there is something special about you and you have a higher calling. If you want to feel that comfort and confidence, you have to learn who you are, and the only way to do that is to build your relationship with God. Only then, will you begin to see your God-given identity and purpose. It is then that you will truly start to be yourself and find where you belong. The journey to your authentic self starts with a step of faith. Are you ready to take that step?