For many people, introducing themselves sounds something like this: “Hi, I’m Sarah. I’m a teacher,” or “I’m Mike, a builder.” Our work often becomes closely tied to who we believe we are. But is our job really meant to define our identity?

Pastor Geoff Woodward from Metro Church explores why so many people link their identity to their careers, and how faith offers a deeper foundation.

Why We Tie Identity to Our Work

According to Pastor Geoff, the connection between identity and occupation begins early in life.

“As children, adults often ask, ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’” he explains. “They rarely ask, ‘Who do you want to be?’”

From school through higher education, much of life prepares us for a career path. Naturally, when we spend a significant portion of our time working, our sense of identity becomes wrapped around what we do.

However, problems often arise when circumstances change. Retirement, job loss, or career dissatisfaction can leave people asking difficult questions about purpose and self-worth.

Many individuals eventually realise that their job doesn’t fully reflect who they truly are, prompting career changes or deeper personal reflection.

When Career Identity Starts to Crack

Pastor Geoff notes that identity struggles often appear during life transitions. Someone may spend years studying or working toward a specific role, only to wake up one day feeling disconnected from it.

This experience is increasingly common as people seek meaning beyond achievement or professional success. When identity relies solely on employment, changes in work can feel like losing part of oneself. That’s why building identity on something more stable becomes essential.

What Does It Mean to Find Identity in Christ?

For Christians, the phrase “find your identity in Christ” is familiar – but what does it actually mean in everyday life?

Pastor Geoff explains that the Bible describes people as both saved and called. This calling isn’t limited to pastors or ministry leaders; rather, it reflects a deeper truth that every person has value and purpose.

Identity, he says, should not be measured by:

• Popularity or recognition
• Social media followers
• Career status or income
• Other people’s opinions

Instead, faith teaches that worth comes from being loved and chosen by God.

Understanding Your True Value

Sharing a personal story from his school years, Pastor Geoff recalls often being the last student chosen for sports teams because of his small size. That experience shaped how he viewed acceptance and belonging – something many people can relate to.

He believes many adults carry a similar feeling into life, wondering whether they truly matter or are simply tolerated.

Christian faith presents a different perspective: God’s love is not based on performance or perfection. Just as a parent deeply loves their children despite flaws, God’s love remains constant. Recognising this truth helps people anchor their identity in something unchanging rather than temporary circumstances.

Living With Purpose Beyond Your Job

When identity comes from faith rather than occupation, career changes become less threatening. Work remains important, but it no longer defines personal worth.

Pastor Geoff encourages people to remember:

• You are valued beyond what you produce.
• Your purpose is greater than your profession.
• Your identity isn’t determined by who pays your salary.

Ultimately, understanding identity through faith brings freedom – allowing people to work, change direction, or face uncertainty without losing their sense of self.

Because who you are matters far more than what you do. 

Article supplied with thanks to Sonshine.

Feature image: Canva

Recently I was at my friend Brendan’s house preparing for a camping trip. One of my favourite things is getting away for the weekend—escaping the hustle and bustle of modern life, immersing myself in nature and exploring new places with friends—with the boys!

We had a few jobs to do with the vehicles and equipment before we hit the road. As we headed out to the shed, Brendan said to his three-year-old son, “Jonty, do you want to come out to the shed with Josh and I to help us?” Without hesitation Jonty threw his arms in the air, sprinting flat-stick towards the shed, and shouted with delight, “Maaaan stuff!”

That memory brings a smile to my face as I think about Jonty’s joy. But it also makes me wonder—what exactly is “man stuff”? More importantly, what does it really mean to be a man?

Defining Masculinity

This question can seem somewhat provocative in our current cultural moment. What is a man? Is it merely the possession of an X and Y chromosome? And perhaps more importantly, what is it that makes a man great?

Sometimes it can help to define what something is by looking at what it’s not. It’s easy to recognise when men fall short of the mark, when they fail to meet society’s expectations. The term “toxic masculinity” is used to describe when a man sinks beneath the ideal. But are all forms of masculinity toxic? Is there an ideal version that’s missing from the world today? 

First, Failure 

How do we know when men have failed? Throughout history there have been numerous great men that we have looked up to as ideals. And yet, even the greatest among them were imperfect. Perhaps you can recall a public scandal—a presidential affair or an elite athlete brought down by substance abuse. 

These are public examples, but many failures happen in private: fathers who abandon their families; boyfriends who physically or emotionally abuse their partner; men who use strength or power to dominate or manipulate. 

At their core, these failings come down to a lack of self-control—abusing power and strength at the expense of others, typically the vulnerable. That’s what I mean when I use the term toxic masculinity: dominating those who can’t fight back. 

But to be clear, it’s not just a male problem—it’s a human problem. Toxic humanity. The depravity of the human heart. Ultimately it boils down to self-centredness, self-preservation, anti-love—or as we Christians call it, sin. This problem plays out in our natural makeup of either masculine or feminine, but the root issue is the same.

To dig deeper would be beyond the scope of this article so I’m going to focus on the masculine side, which raises the question: why does this happen? What leads to the downfall of men?

Peter Pan Syndrome

One reason many men struggle is because of a lack of solid masculine role models in their lives. Psychologist Jordan Peterson refers to this as the “Peter Pan” syndrome. Peter Pan is an eternal child—full of potential—and that’s the problem. Peter Pan never grows up. You can hardly blame him, though. His model of manhood is none other than Captain Hook—a dangerous man, driven by fear of his impending demise, spiralling into chaotic and violent madness. Hook is hardly a role model worth aspiring to. 

And so, Peter’s potential remains unrealised. Sure, he’s king of the Lost Boys, but that’s hardly something to strive for. He has the opportunity to connect with a real girl, Wendy, yet instead prefers the company of Tinkerbell, the fairy. Sadly, that’s not far from reality today—a generation of young men who’d rather stay home with the comforts of OnlyFans than take the risk of pursuing something meaningful—and risky—with a real woman. After all, a woman on OnlyFans is always available and won’t reject your advances.

Where Do I Look?  

The best example I’ve found of healthy masculinity is none other than Jesus of Nazareth. This might surprise some, especially because of effeminate artistic depictions of Him throughout history. Despite this, I would argue that Jesus is the epitome of what it truly means to be a man.

Jesus was a first-century Middle Eastern tradesman, a countercultural revolutionary and a fearless man full of passion and empathy. He was a teacher, but also a voice for the voiceless and oppressed. He wasn’t petty. He was humble and patient, able to absorb cruelty without retaliation. Yet when it came to the oppressed, He was relentless—a defender of the defenceless and a liberator of the burdened. 

Jesus was a man in the truest sense of the word. So, what empowered Him to be the man He was?

He Who Has A Why

One of the defining features of Jesus’ life was His purpose. Holocaust survivor Viktor Frankl once wrote, “He who has a why can push through any what.” In other words, having a clear purpose is vital for men to thrive—especially when navigating the inevitable obstacles and difficulties of life. Frankl observed that in the Nazi concentration camps, men who lost their sense of purpose were the first to crawl up in the corner and literally die. 

You may not be immediately threatened with death but without purpose, you’ll likely pursue pleasure—pleasure to distract yourself from the pain that comes from a meaningless life. Without purpose, you remain a boy, attempting to avoid the challenges of becoming like the men you once admired or have come to despise.

Throughout history, men have taken a stand when they had a clear “why”. Purpose enabled and transformed boys into men. From that foundation of a clear purpose flow courage, bravery and service.

Power Under Control

Being a man isn’t just about strength—it’s about strength under control. In the words of author Ty Gibson, “True masculinity is power under (self) control. It can then flash forward when it’s needed to defend the defenceless, but always under the control of righteousness and love.”

That’s true masculinity. It takes far more strength to control our temper than to fly off the handle in a fit of rage. It takes far more strength to serve than to be served. True masculinity is power under control—power to protect, power to serve, power to empower. When that power becomes self-serving and self-centred, it crosses into the realm of toxicity. 

In the words of 19th-century writer Ellen Write, “The greatest want of the world is the want of men—men who will not be bought or sold . . . men who will stand for the right though the heavens fall.”

Throughout history great men have stood against tyranny, liberated the oppressed, defended the powerless and sacrificed themselves for the good of others.

Strength in Numbers

One of the most detrimental misconceptions I held growing up was the belief that being a man meant going at it alone—suffering in silence. As I’ve matured, I’ve learned how detrimental that idea is. The truth is, it’s a sign of strength to ask for help. Motivational speaker Les Brown once said, “We ask for help, not because we are weak, but so that we can remain strong.”

In a world full of chaos, we need men who will stand—men willing to grow up, who will move on from Neverland and step into a life of purpose. The world needs men who not only live up to their potential but empower others to live up to theirs—not for their own glory, but for the greater good of everyone they encounter. 

It’s time for men to become more like Jesus.

This article is supplied with thanks to Signs of The Times

Joshua Newbegin is a coach, minister and communicator passionate about helping people grow through clarity, courage and connection. He is the founder of Kaizen Coaching Solutions and host of the Unchained Brotherhood podcast.

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Self-identity is how we see and understand ourselves—knowing who we are, what we believe in, and how we feel about ourselves.

Susan Woodworth from Walk and Talk Psychology explains that a stable self-identity links to better mental health, a stronger sense of belonging, and validation from others. Friends play a key role in this by providing acceptance and a space to explore personal growth.

Friends and family shape self-identity through belonging and roles. The people we choose to surround ourselves with offer acceptance, which builds a positive self-image and reinforces core values. Family roles—like being a mum, sibling, or older sister—start this process early, evolving into social groups as we age, such as sporty or academic circles where we take on roles like leader or mediator.

Friends as Mirrors

Friends act as mirrors reflecting our inner selves. Consider five people you feel strongly about: what do you admire, share in common, or find irritating? Admiration often highlights traits you’re proud of or aspire to. Common ground validates your current values and sense of belonging. Irritation signals opposites to your values—what you don’t want to become.​

Different friends naturally bring out different personality sides, showing adaptability rather than inauthenticity. If your friends don’t align with how you see yourself, it can feel confusing. Choosing who to hang out with matters: surround yourself with those who make your identity feel balanced and true.

Parenting and Guiding Kids

Parents can gently guide children toward positive self-views by staying curious about their friendships. Ask what they like about these friends and what sides of themselves emerge. Friends help kids explore personality facets and decide what they want to become. Encourage meaningful interactions that build a strong personal identity.​

Susan reminds us that choosing surroundings thoughtfully foster mental wellbeing. By reflecting on our “mirrors” and roles, we discover more about ourselves and grow authentically.

Article supplied with thanks to Sonshine.

Feature image: Canva