Identity Scam

I became a victim of identity theft a few months ago. In spite of all we did to protect ourselves, nevertheless this happened at my husband’s job by a fake email scam. Because I recently worked there, my Social Security number was stolen, along with many others. 

As a result our lives will probably be altered from now on. We had to freeze our credit reports and keep a watchful eye on all our accounts. 

I had to make an inconvenient trip to an IRS office to clear my identity, which meant gathering written proof of who I am. Social Security card, Driver License, Tax Returns, Birth Certificate, Bills, etc...

Thankfully the IRS agent was very helpful and cleared it all up. After looking over all my proof, there was no doubt of who I am. He couldn’t deny the truth after that.

My identity may be in doubt. I may have to prove it again. Another trip to the IRS may be in order in the years to come. But I’ll just pull out the proof again and hopefully it will be cleared up. 

I have my own unique identity, which has been formed since my birth. Formed from my surroundings, circumstances, and my choices. What is my identity? What do I believe about myself? 

I don’t know about you, but I’ve had my own identity scams. Lies I believed about myself. Negative garbage I’ve heard, or perceived about myself.  

“You’re not loved”, “You’ll never amount to much,” “You’re ugly”, “You will always be a victim”, “You can’t rise above this”..and so on and so forth. 

I can’t change my past. I can’t go back and undo the pain. I can’t retrace my steps, my choices. Ugly things have been done and said to me. I have the scars to prove it. So is this to be my lot in life? Is this my identity? Will it define me forever?

My friend, if we are believing these lies about ourselves, then it is a identity scam. It’s a scam to get us to live way beneath ourselves. To live short of our God given potential. The cold iron links of lies can chain us for years. 

But it doesn’t have to be like that. My God is a God of redemption. He can free the captive heart. He restores the pain. He can heal those open wounds. I can testify to His great power to do this. 

He healed and restored me completely. The chains have been broken and I am free. He longs to do the same for you. If you let Him. 

Sometimes an identity crisis can happen. Doubt and fear harasses me and I question myself. But I have written proof. Proof that shuts up even the enemy of my soul. It’s the truth that can’t be denied. 

The Word of God tells me,  “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away, the new has come!” 2 Corinthians 5:17 

I’m not merely renovated, I’m transformed. A new creature. 

 “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10

How can I question the Potter of the clay, “Oh I’ll never amount to anything?” I am His workmanship and I am beautiful in His eyes. 

“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.” Ephesians 1:7

In and through Jesus I have restoration and redemption. He has lavished His grace on me. 

I’ve only shared three verses. I could fill pages and pages of promises. Written proof that will clear up any identity scam. It is the Word of God that has the power to transform our minds, the way we think. 

I’m ending with a beautiful promise. Let Him free you. 

“What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?  Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.” Romans 8:31-34