We live with a continual threat of identity theft.

The threat is so widespread, there’s even an Identity Theft Resource Center to keep us informed of the latest sneaky scams and the best ways to protect ourselves and our privacy in this online world.

We’re told to use strong passwords, only log into secure wireless networks, never save credit card information when shopping online, don’t accept social media invites from unfamiliar people, and the list grows with each new confirmed threat.

But, when I think of identity theft, I’m also reminded of how often my true, God-given identity is threatened daily, and has been from a very young age.

Truthfully, I’ve struggled with my identity in some form or another my entire life.

Who hasn’t? Because life is hard and it’s often not fair.

We damage one another’s identity with our words and actions, we undercut our own identity with unhealthy thoughts and negative self-talk, and we allow the enemy to sneak in, twist and distort circumstances until we lose sight of who we are.

Sometimes certain aspects of our identity fail to develop during childhood because we were raised by very broken parents. Sometimes we can be raised in a healthy family but our identity gets battered by destructive marriage dynamics or our identity is shattered by the pain of simply living life.

And it’s not pretty.

Regardless of the circumstances, most times we don’t know what to expect, never see it coming and have no clue how to pick up and reassemble the bruised and scarred pieces.

The good news is that I don’t believe for a moment that we are meant to live in the grip of identity theft, and we don’t have to be another statistic. At least that’s the truth and mission I’ve been aggressively pursuing for the past few years, and it’s one I’m passionate about because I’m tired of falling prey.

I’m tired of leaving my heart exposed.

I’m tired of losing my balance in this world.

I’m tired of being duped by the unexpected.

So I’m fighting back…with a vengeance.

I’m finding ways to actively guard my heart (above all else) because grounding and keeping my identity depends on it, each and every day. The attacks don’t stop, and honestly, they’ve only intensified in the past few years. Now, they come from the most familiar places and with a strangely unrelenting force.

Perhaps that’s a sign of growing stronger, or perhaps I’m just more aware.

When we actively guard our heart, we proactively safeguard our identity. Share on X

One of the most important things I’ve practiced for a long time is first grounding myself in the truth of God’s identity because apart from knowing God, I do not believe I can fully know myself and who I was created to be.

Still, that isn’t enough.

Guarding my heart has also meant finding a way to rebuild what’s been torn down and fortify my identity so it doesn’t so easily succumb to attacks. And that means rooting myself in the truth of who God says I am…who He created me to be and how He sees me.

“The most fundamental thing is not how we think of God but how God thinks of us. This is infinitely more important.” ~ C.S. Lewis

An identity collage has become the perfect tool for me to use. Mine is a work in progress which begins with some introspective heart work and then flows into creative application. It’s a work in progress because I’m a work in progress.

Part 1

Identify the trigger or threat.
Log the date to keep track of patterns and progress.
List raw thoughts around the threat in order to identify negative self-talk and thought patterns.
Determine the underlying identity lie.
Write out the scripture of who God says I am to coincide and battle the identity lie and meditate on its truth.
Identify the identity truth.

Part 2

Select the appropriate Identity Truth Card
Post on collage board or in journal with pictures, quotes, scriptures, etc. which best personalize your truth.
Add textured inspirations as God reveals your identity truth.
Build on the collage with each card in the same way.
Keep the collage in a prominent location as an active and growing tool to ground your identity.

Download Free Identity Collage Cards

I’m a visual, creative person, and that’s the best way I process and retain, so this system works for me. It’s something I enjoy, and it keeps me in the active space of guarding my heart, surrendering the lies and planting truth.

I’m learning that I have the power to hold on to my identity regardless of how clever or intense the attacks. I may lose ground, but I don’t have to give in and I don’t have to surrender.

And neither do you!

“Above all else, guard your heart, for from it flow the springs of life.” Proverbs 4:23

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