Your Greatest Identity

Created in His Image: Understanding Our True Identity.

Genesis 1:27 (NIV): "So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”

Recently, I was listening to an old podcast by Elizabeth Elliot, where she shared a perspective on a familiar verse that I had never considered before. She spoke about how every part of creation worships God in the way it was designed to. The birds in the sky, the fish in the sea, even your cuddly golden doodle or fluffy cat—all of them worship the Lord according to the way He made them. Elizabeth pointed out that everything created worships God according to His plan, except for humans and angels. Men, women, and angels are the only beings created to worship God who also have the ability to choose not to.

This idea led me to reflect on Genesis 1, where I was struck by a phrase repeated at the end of several verses: “according to their likeness.” Fish were formed according to the likeness of other fish; birds were crafted according to the likeness of other birds; stars were hung in the sky according to their kind. But when the Creator completed His work and called it good, He crowned creation with something unique—something made according to His own likeness. God saw the world He had formed and called it good but saw it still incomplete. He desired to create man and woman in His likeness, “in His image He created them.”

The Impact on Our Mental Health

So, what does this have to do with your mental health? I would argue that it has everything to do with it. However, since I haven’t had enough coffee today and you presumably don’t have hours to read my thoughts on how being made in the image of God should transform our hearts, minds and lives, let’s focus on just one idea. Consider this amazing concept of being made in His image and pair it with the biblical directive of “seeking first His kingdom.”

When we begin to truly understand that we are made in God's image, it can’t help but change the way we see ourselves and others. It means something radical…that our value isn't based on our accomplishments, appearance, or how others perceive us—our worth is absolutely inherent because we reflect the Creator Himself. This understanding can profoundly impact our mental health by freeing us from the relentless pressures of perfectionism, comparison, and self-doubt. Pairing this with the principle of "seeking first His kingdom" (Matthew 6:33) invites us to shift our focus from our own anxieties and desires to God's purposes. Seeking His kingdom means aligning our priorities with His—loving others, living justly, and pursuing peace. It also means trusting that as we focus on His will, He will somehow take care of our needs. This mindset, when deeply embraced can bring peace like nothing else can, in the midst of life's chaos, reminding us that we are not alone in our struggles and that our lives have a purpose beyond what we can see.

The Battle for Our Identity