This document discusses addressing identity crises that can arise after difficult life situations and circumstances. It prompts reflection on how beliefs about oneself are shaped by past events like abuse, divorce, or negative messages. It encourages examining negative beliefs and comparing the evidence from one's past to the truth presented in scripture, such as that people are loved, worthy, and fearfully made by God. Surrendering control and allowing God's truth to influence one is presented as a way to overcome negative influences on identity.

1. My name is
Paul Crecelius
Retired Army Chaplain
LPCA, Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor
EMDR Therapist Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in
Counseling

2. Topic
Format
Participation
Vulnerability

3. The Bible

4. Beliefs
Trust
Forgiveness
Bitterness
Shame

5. True love
Loneliness
Grace
Hope

6. Self-Control
Joy vs Happiness
Self-Examination
True Intimacy
Worship

7. We are here to address the next step following
the life situations you and I have faced.
There comes an identity crisis after going
through or even in the midst of difficult life
circumstances.

8. Jesus asked
Who do people say that I am?
Mark 8:27

9. Who do you say you are?
Who do you really believe you
are?

10. Say something about yourself that
describes you.

11. How do our beliefs show
themselves?

12. The way we treat others?
The way we treat ourselves?
The way we live?

13. How do we talk?
What do we say to others?
Do we use words to fit in?

14. I am Stupid.
I am worthless
I am to blame
I am ugly
I am fat

15. I am hopeless
I am a bad person
I am an idiot
I am lazy

16. What life circumstance or
circumstances took place to bring
this about?

17. You are loved
You are worthy
You are fearfully and wonderfully
made
You are the crown of God’s creation

18. You are a sinner, saved by grace
You are worthy
You cannot be separated from God’s
love

19. Who does God say we are?
Do we believe it?

20. Romans 4:3

21. Isaiah 61:1-3

22. Psalm 139:1-6

23. All this sounds good but there is
something that keeps us from
believing it.
Isaiah 6:9

24. We can say one thing but believe
another.
Matthew 12:34-35

25. John 4
What was the woman’s personal
truth?

26. John 4
What was Jesus’ proposed truth?

27. We have to look at our life events
that have given us negative beliefs
about ourselves.

28. Abuse
Divorce
Negative Messages
Sinful Life

29. Do we know what the target is?

30. They have taken places we didn’t
want to go.

31. Keeping us like puppets.

32. Looking at the evidence of the past
and reevaluate
Comparing it to the evidence God
gives.

33. Psalm 139: 23

34. Psalm 139: 24

35. Proverbs 18:3

36. Luke 6:27
But to you who are listening I say,

37. Proverbs 20:15
Matthew 12:34-35

38. Isaiah 58:7-9

39. To agree to stop fighting, hiding,
resisting, etc., because you know that you
will not win or succeed
: to give the control or use of (something)
to someone else
: to allow something (such as a habit or
desire) to influence or control you

40. Jeremiah 38:17-18
Galatians 2:20
Philippians 3:7-11