People spend years trying to discover and develop their strengths. Parents help their children recognize their gifts. We study, build careers, pursue achievements, and search for our place in life. Very often, success, abilities, and recognition become the things we lean on most. They shape our confidence, our sense of worth, and even our identity.

I remember that when I was a child, our home was often filled with guests. After dinner, we would sing together, and then I would begin to play my violin. At some point, our huge dog, Ralph, would walk into the room and start loudly and passionately “singing along” with me, following the melody up and down. Everyone would laugh and enjoy it.

And honestly, in those moments, I felt special and important because without me, that little performance would not have taken place.

People often build their identity around what they have or what they can do. Joseph had something similar—a special robe given to him by his father. He was proud of it. That robe symbolized his position, his father’s special love for him, and the privilege he held over his brothers. That is why his brothers became jealous of him.

And when they finally had the chance to harm Joseph, the first thing they did was violently tear that robe from him and throw him into a pit. They took away the thing that seemed to give him uniqueness, status, and confidence.

But as we continue reading Joseph’s story, we see something important. Wherever Joseph went, he continued to honor God and find his value in Him. His brothers could take away his robe and his freedom, but they could not take away God’s presence or God’s calling on his life.

The same thing often happens to us. This broken world can take away our jobs, reputations, health, positions, or even the very things that once gave us a sense of significance. People can be unfair, cruel, and intentionally hurtful. In those moments, the voices around us may try to convince us that we are worthless, that we are nobody.

But listen to God’s voice, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine” (Isaiah 43:1, NIV).

This reminds me so much of our Savior, who was unjustly arrested and beaten. People stripped Jesus of His clothes and nailed Him to a cross, yet they could not destroy His calling or prevent the victory of the resurrection.

If today you have lost something that once gave you confidence or a sense of
value, remind yourself of this: your deepest identity is not found in your resources, success, status, or people’s opinions. Your identity is found in the fact that you are loved by God and belong to Christ.

He calls you by name and reminds you of your value in Him.

Evil can take what’s on you, but not what’s in you.

Prayer: Jesus, help me not to build my worth on things that can be lost. Remind me who I am in You and teach me to trust You even through the difficult moments of life. Amen.