You are who God says you are, and nobody can change that.

Nobody.

When Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were taken to Babylon, King Nebuchadnezzar tried his best to change who they were. The king immersed them in a new culture, a new society. He even went as far as changing their names, which was a pretty big deal back then.

You’ve heard of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego? Plot twist – that’s not even who they really were. Not even close.

Although the new names Nebuchadnezzar bestowed upon Daniel and his friends were meant to encourage them to take the plunge into a Babylonian lifestyle – these men were not about to conform to the pattern of this old world.

These new names said that they were servants of various deities – but God – God said they were His.

And we all know how that chapter in Daniel played out.

The world will say all kinds of things about you – call you all kinds of names. Just don’t forget what God said about you first. Don’t forget He calls you daughter/son.

You get to choose the voice that you will listen to – the voice that you will believe.

God says you’re strong

God says you’re beautiful.

God says you matter.

God says you can.

God says watch me work through you.

God says you are His.

No voice, no human, nobody can say who you are – only God.

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2