Discovering Your True Identity

By Sharon D. Johnson, PhD

Sometimes young children take negative, condescending remarks from a close relative or friend to heart, begin to perceive themselves as flawed, and eventually those words can become part of their identity. The result may be that the child ends up in jail, takes drugs, or has no regard for life. After all being bad is part of his or her identity, right? That is not Gods will for a childs life! Faith in our Heavenly Father comes from hearing the Good News, the Word of God; not from words meant to destroy you! I pray that as you read this book, you become enlightened. I hope that you will learn and come to experience how much God loves you and what Jesus went through so you are identified with Him your True Identity.

Dr. Johnson ignited her faith from an early age, despite the chaos and strife in her personal life. She shares her insight to help those who may feel broken by a damaging or destructive childhood. She gives hope to those who let their upbringing define their life and their identity. Her message to those who were told they were worthless is that the Good News from Jesus Christ will identify them as a child of God worth saving. We were all created in the image of God. This book is inspirational, important, and timely. A beautiful love letter to the downtrodden or forgotten who are seeking their True Identity.

Susan Dugan

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Sep 18, 2014
• ISBN: 9781490840321

Sharon D. Johnson, PhD

Dr. Sharon Johnson has worked in Human Services for 20 years. She holds an MA degree in Human Service Counseling Marriage and Families from Liberty University; an MS degree in Human Resources Management/Development from National Louis University; and a Ph.D. degree in Human Services from Capella University. She is married with two children.

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Copyright © 2014 Sharon Johnson, Ph.D.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

ISBN: 978-1-4908-4033-8 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4908-4032-1 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2014910549

WestBow Press rev. date: 12/5/2014

CONTENTS

Why I Wrote This Book For You

Chapter One Who Am I?

Chapter Two Created In His Image

Chapter Three Blessed With All Spiritual Blessings

Chapter Four Holy And Without Blame

Chapter Five Redemption Through His Blood

Chapter Six Born Out Of Love

Chapter Seven Receiving From The Kingdom Of God

Chapter Eight Doer Of The Word

Chapter Nine Your Inheritance

Chapter Ten You Are The Righteousness Of God

Chapter Eleven Your Protector

Prayer Of Salvation

References

I

dedicate this book to our mother who raised us the best she could.

I would like to thank my husband, Reginald, for his encouragement and support; and our two wonderful children, Reginald and Leslie, who know that all things are possible with Christ.

WHY I WROTE THIS BOOK FOR YOU

Countless kids are living defeated lives because they grew up in homes where adults spoke harmful and derogative words to them throughout their childhood. Consequently, the impact and detriment of using these words manifest in behaviors that lead to incarceration, dropping out of school, using drugs and alcohol, becoming pregnant as a teen, having no regard for life, or joining in gang-related activities. It all started with harsh words spoken to them by family members or people who were closest to them.

I wrote this book to empower you with the knowledge you need to transform your life so that God can fulfill His will and purpose for which you were born.

CHAPTER ONE

WHO AM I?

You will NEVER amount to anything!

You are NO GOOD!

You will NEVER measure up to your brother (or sister)!

You are USELESS!

What is WRONG with you?

Have you ever heard any of these angry words directed toward you throughout your childhood? Has anyone bullied you into believing you are worthless? You are not alone. I have, and words like these hurt; and if you are not careful, they may define who you think you are and determine what direction your life takes. I wrote this book to tell you that negativity directed towards you at any age does not make up your identity! You are more than snap judgments said in the heat of anger or simply cruel words. I discovered that my true identity is with God the Father, and not what people think of me!

It would have been easy to accept negative comments because I felt abandoned by my own mother and father, who should have nurtured me. I used to think about how differently my life might have been if my mother and father had raised me. Would they have seen the good in me? Would my parents have given me guidance and insight about life, marriage, raising children, my career path, and about Christ?

As I grew older, I learned that my mother did not abandon my siblings and me. The Department of Family and Children Services determined that