Unmasking My Identity

By Tiera Royster-Ennels

Making My Identity deals with personal matters hidden behind a mask in order to hide my true identity. The mask was worn to protect the flaws that I chose to conceal. As I matured in Christ, I gained a sense of identity through the Word of God. This book identifies many insecurities connected to biblical outcomes. It is my honor to share them so that freedom can take place in someone else’s life. When we reveal our imperfections, we free ourselves and gain a deeper sense of connection not only with ourselves but also with others.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: May 31, 2019
• ISBN: 9781796037647

Tiera Royster-Ennels

Elder Tiera Royster-Ennels was born and educated as a youth in Baltimore, Maryland. She is a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administrative and management and a master’s degree in theological studies. Tiera humbly serves at Destiny Christian Church under the leadership of Bishop James Nelson Jr. Her goal is to achieve a standard of excellence worthy of the body of Christ. Tiera Ennels is the CEO of TRE LLC. TRE LLC’s mission is to empower minds through ministry and deed. Its goal is to create memorable ministry events by empowering and providing resourceful data.

Book preview

Copyright © 2019 by Tiera Royster-Ennels.

Library of Congress Control Number:   2019906904

ISBN:   Hardcover   978-1-7960-3766-1

              Softcover     978-1-7960-3765-4

              eBook           978-1-7960-3764-7

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted

in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system,

without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Scripture quotations marked KJV are from the Holy Bible, King James Version (Authorized Version). First published in 1611. Quoted from the KJV Classic Reference Bible, Copyright © 1983 by The Zondervan Corporation.

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. [Biblica]

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Rev. date: 06/28/2019

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CONTENTS

Chapter 1: Identity Crises

TESTIMONY: No Self-Confidence

Chapter 2: Internal Battles

TESTIMONY: Isolation

Chapter 3: Disguised for Greatness

TESTIMONY: Never Let Them See You Sweat

Chapter 4: Shift Your Focus

TESTIMONY: False Alarm

Chapter 5: Let Your Light Shine

TESTIMONY: No Shade

Chapter 6: Tell the Truth

TESTIMONY: Keep It Real

Chapter 7: It Is Okay to Cry

TESTIMONY: He Cried

Chapter 8: He Touch Me

TESTIMONY: Domestic Abuse

Chapter 9: The Fast Lane

TESTIMONY: Engaging in Risky Behavior

Chapter 10: Unequally Yoked

TESTIMONY: There Is Still Hope

Chapter 11: Don’t Count Me Out

TESTIMONY: Baby Out of Wedlock

Chapter 12: What’s Next?

TESTIMONY: Make a Decision

Chapter 13: All Eyes on You

TESTIMONY: Be a Stiletto in a Room Full of Flats

Chapter 14: The Holy Spirit

TESTIMONY: I Got It

Chapter 15: Influential Power

TESTIMONY: A Higher Standard

Chapter 16: God’s Unmerited Favor

TESTIMONY: I Am Not Bragging

Chapter 17: Be a Risk-Taker and Leap

TESTIMONY: Go for It

Chapter 18: Never Get Too Comfortable

TESTIMONY: Change Is Good

DEDICATION

I dedicate this book to my grandchildren: Jayden, Marlin Junior, Messiah, Kai, Kenley, Sydney, and Kharie. I pray that you will never have to grow up wearing a mask. Be true to yourself. Be a leader and never follow behind negative energy. It is okay to stand alone, especially when you are standing up for what you believe in. Do not worry about trying to please people by living by their standards. It is imperative that you find peace within and not through the lens of others. Always know your self-worth and maintain a level of self-respect. You are kings and queens. You come from a lineage of greatness, and all things are possible as long as you seek God first.

ENDORSEMENT

In her own unique way, Tiera Royster-Ennels has done it again! First, she challenged readers to recognize that we hid daily behind masks in her book Mixed Emotions from a Biblical Stance. The ninety-day devotional was designed to open the eyes of readers to the reality of how people mask their thoughts and feelings for the sake of others or for fear of persecution. Through scripture and testimony, readers were encouraged to identify and overcome the situations that led them to wearing masks. Readers were challenged to remove those masks and to shed the fears that bound their spirits to the restrictive frameworks of social constructs.

Her second project allows Tiera to share intimate details of her journey. By sharing tidbits from her experiences, the mask is removed to reveal the unknown story. Some would never consider baring it all, while others think it is risky. However, Tiera sincerely hopes that through her testimonies, someone else will truly be freed, saved, and delivered from all the pain, anguish, embarrassment, and shame that keeps them bound to wearing a mask.

Nearly thirty years ago, I had the privilege of becoming acquainted with Tiera Royster in the workplace, but our connection extended beyond the confines of the office. As friends and sisters, we have stood together through the best of times and even some tough times because true friends are there for you no matter what time it is.

Tiera encourages, challenges, and pushes me to be my best self in every way. Everyone needs a trustworthy confidant, a prayer partner, an encourager, and a cheerleader one can call a friend. I challenge you to extend your reach beyond the parameters of your immediate circle to encounter and embrace someone that intrigues, encourages, empowers, uplifts, and inspires you in some way to grow beyond the mask!

Written by Sheree Lang

FOREWORD

One of the first questions we are asked when we’re young in elementary school is, What do you want to be when you grow up? Most responses are based on what we’ve seen in our environment at the time—usually a