Jeremiah 29:2 English Standard Version (ESV) This was after King Jeconiah and the queen mother, the eunuchs, the officials of Judah and Jerusalem, the craftsmen, and the metal workers had departed from Jerusalem.

We will conclude this series on emotional needs with identity. The list above are titles, roles, jobs, and skills. Are you what you do?

Each one of us has to make a determination of who we are at the core of our being. The driving force to excel is found in our identity. A lack of drive is tied to that same self-worth. Am I a good person? Am I a wretch? Am I honest about who I am? Do I even know who I am?

We are more than the sum of our parts. We are more.

Romans 8:37 English Standard Version (ESV) No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

We may have found our identity in the world but having accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, have we discovered who we are in Christ? While we may still have a worldly title, once we enter into the Kingdom of God our identity and roles are no longer ours to determine.

Ephesians 4:8 English Standard Version (ESV) Therefore it says, “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.”

Ezekiel 36:26 English Standard Version (ESV) And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.

A new heart means we are changed at the core of our being. We care differently. The gifts we are given in this new identity are meant to glorify God and not ourselves.

Do we see ourselves as God sees us?

Matthew 6:6 English Standard Version (ESV) But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

We all need some privacy. While I do not personally know anyone who has a primary emotional need for privacy, I cannot rule it out. This differs from isolation because we choose to get away from distractions, noise, and others. The reasons vary. I like privacy to meditate. Maybe you want to read a book or listen to the wind in the trees as you walk through the forest. Privacy doesn’t always have a goal.

Then there is the privacy people seek because they know that what they are doing is unacceptable. Bomb makers like privacy. That which is hidden in the intents of the heart may be well served in privacy.

I haven’t had privacy in decades.

Psalm 139:7-10 English Standard Version (ESV)

⁷ Where shall I go from your Spirit?
    Or where shall I flee from your presence?
⁸ If I ascend to heaven, you are there!
    If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!
⁹ If I take the wings of the morning
    and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
¹⁰ even there your hand shall lead me,
    and your right hand shall hold me.

No one is truly alone, even if they do not believe. Unbelief does not affect God’s presence.