Who Are You Without the Mask? Finding Your Real Identity in Christ

“Who Are You Without the Mask? Finding Your Real Identity in Christ”

The Allure of Alter Egos and Superpowers

Have you ever wished you could be someone else—just for a moment?

Maybe someone stronger, bolder, or more confident? Someone who speaks up without fear, who isn’t weighed down by past mistakes or insecurities?

That’s the power of alter egos. From superheroes like Clark Kent and Superman to the carefully curated versions of ourselves on social media, we often create identities that make us feel braver, more in control, or even untouchable.

But here’s the question: Is that really who God created you to be?

If we spend so much time shaping a version of ourselves that feels stronger, what happens when the mask comes off?

My Personal Story: The Pageant Stage and the Inner Struggle

When I was younger, before marriage and before the journey of divorce, I competed in pageants—not just for the experience, but for scholarships.

I loved the process.

I learned how to walk with poise, how to speak with confidence, and how to present myself well. These weren’t just outward skills—they were powerful lessons that helped me navigate life.

But I also remember something else: there was always a part of me that felt like I had to be “on” all the time.

In pageants, everything is about polish. The perfect walk. The perfect answer. The perfect smile.

I thrived in that space, but looking back, I realize that while I was learning confidence on the outside, I hadn’t fully discovered where my real confidence should come from.

It wasn’t that the experience was bad—those skills helped shape me. But what happens when the pageant is over?

What happens when the lights go down, the applause fades, and all you’re left with is you?

It took me years to fully understand that my worth wasn’t in how well I could present myself—it was in who I already was in Christ.

My Personal Story: When I Wore a Mask

Fast forward to years later, after marriage and divorce, and I found myself wearing a different kind of mask.

This time, it wasn’t about evening gowns or stage presence. It was about survival.

I wanted to appear strong, put-together, and unfazed, even when I was falling apart inside.

I’d walk into church with my head high, makeup flawless, smile fixed in place. No one could see the battle raging inside me—the loneliness, the exhaustion of pretending I was okay when I wasn’t.

I had convinced myself that this version of me—the one who never cried, never wavered—was what people needed to see.

What I didn’t realize was that in trying to appear strong, I was actually becoming more trapped.

One night, as I was journaling, I felt God ask me, “Who are you trying to impress? Them, or Me?”

I had spent so much time curating strength that I hadn’t allowed God to be my strength.

That moment shifted everything.

God wasn’t asking me to create a stronger version of myself. He was calling me to surrender.

Jesus: The Ultimate Example of Walking in Identity

Jesus never needed an alter ego. He wasn’t concerned with perception—He was rooted in His God-given purpose.

Even when others questioned Him, misunderstood Him, or rejected Him, He remained firm in who He was.

Imagine this moment in the wilderness:

Jesus has been fasting for 40 days, alone, physically weak. Then, Satan comes in with a challenge:

“If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” (Matthew 4:3)

The temptation wasn’t just about hunger—it was an attack on His identity.

Satan was basically saying, “If you’re really who you say you are, prove it.”

But Jesus didn’t need to prove anything.

He responded with truth:

“Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4)

Jesus didn’t take on a different persona to prove Himself. He simply stood firm in who He was.

How often do we let the enemy whisper the same lies to us?

“If you were really strong, you wouldn’t feel like this.”
“If you were really valuable, you wouldn’t be struggling.”
“If you were really confident, you’d have it all together.”

But true strength doesn’t come from creating a false identity. It comes from knowing who we are in Christ.

Biblical Truth: Who Does God Say You Are?

Unlike superheroes who rely on alter egos, we don’t need to create a better version of ourselves to be valuable. Our identity is already secure in Christ:

You are chosen—“You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession…” (1 Peter 2:9)
You are loved—“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!” (1 John 3:1)
You are enough in Him—“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)

You don’t need to create an alter ego to be worthy. You already are.

The Shift: From “Superpowers” to Spiritual Gifts

Instead of searching for superpowers to make us feel strong, we should ask:

What gifts has God already given me?

Maybe you have wisdom that speaks life into others.
Maybe you have discernment that protects you from deception.
Maybe you have compassion that brings healing to broken hearts.

These are not just personality traits—they are God-given gifts meant to be used for His glory (1 Corinthians 12:4-7).

Instead of trying to create an alter ego, what if we leaned into the unique anointing we already carry?

A’s Love Actions

Identify the masks. Write down the labels you’ve placed on yourself based on what others expect from you. Ask God to reveal which ones need to be released.
Soak in Scripture. Read Ephesians 1:3-14 and underline every statement about your identity in Christ. Let it sink in.
Take one bold step. This week, I challenge you to do something bold: Remove one ‘mask’ you’ve been wearing.

Have you ever felt the pressure to create an alter ego instead of embracing who you truly are in Christ? Drop your thoughts in the comments!