Living From Abundance: The Identity Shift
- Erin Schwab
- Aug 12, 2025
- 5 min read
#7 in Living as God's Beloved series
What changes when you truly live from your identity as God’s beloved child? Everything.
You stop striving for approval and start living from it.
You stop fearing scarcity and start trusting God’s provision.
You stop reacting in self-protection and begin responding in love.
But this only happens when we deeply know and trust the character of God—when we believe, even in hard moments, that He is good, that He loves us, and that He will take care of us. This is a complete game changer--really a life changer!
Why God’s Character Changes Everything
As long as we question God’s goodness—or believe we have to earn His favor—we live like spiritual orphans. We hustle, compare, withdraw, or control. But when we are grounded in God’s nature and promises, we live as dearly loved children—safe, secure, and free.
“Those who know your name trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.” – Psalm 9:10
Real Life: From Striving to Security
Sarah, a mom of three, found herself overwhelmed and constantly anxious that she wasn’t doing “enough.” Every mistake—whether forgetting a school event or losing her temper—reinforced the lie that she was failing. Deep down, she feared she had to earn love, from her kids, her husband, and even God.
"Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ."— Galatians 1:10 (NIV)
This verse speaks directly to the pressure of performance and people-pleasing. Living as God’s beloved child means working from a place of secure identity, not striving for worth.
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”— Colossians 3:23 (NIV)
This verse reorients the motivation behind our work: to honor God, not to gain approval from others.
Romans 5:8 (NIV)
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
This verse makes it abundantly clear that God’s love is not dependent on our performance. He loved us at our worst—before we cleaned up, before we earned anything, while we were still broken. His love is secure, steadfast, and rooted in grace.
Ephesians 2:8–9 (NIV)
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Salvation and approval are gifts, not rewards for good behavior.
Titus 3:5 (NIV)
“He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.”
God’s mercy—not our merit—is what secures His acceptance.
Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)
“The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”
God doesn’t just tolerate you—He delights in you. That’s a radically different picture from performance-based acceptance.
Through reading and trusting in what bible says about God and what is says about her, Sarah began to see that her value wasn’t in her performance but in her position—as God’s beloved daughter. That shift didn’t make her perfect, but it gave her permission to breathe. She began praying, “God, help me parent from love, not fear.” Her choices became calmer. Her joy returned. She stopped trying to prove herself—and started showing up in love.
Real Life: From Scarcity to Generosity
Sam was hesitant to give or commit. He grew up in a home where money was tight and affirmation was scarce. Even as a believer, he constantly worried there wouldn’t be “enough”—not enough resources, not enough time, not enough love.
“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ … your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”— Matthew 6:31–33 (NIV)
This reminds us that God is not only aware of our needs, but lovingly attentive to provide.
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”— Philippians 4:19 (NIV)
This verse reinforces the abundance mindset—God’s provision is rooted in His glorious riches, not our performance.
Psalm 23:1–3 (ESV)
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.He makes me lie down in green pastures.He leads me beside still waters.He restores my soul.He leads me in paths of righteousnessfor his name’s sake.”
These verses remind us that:
God is your Shepherd—attentive, caring, and present.
You have everything you need. You lack nothing—not because life is easy, but because He is enough.
He provides rest, refreshment, and renewal.
Even your direction in life is lovingly guided by Him.
As Sam started studying the character of God—His abundant generosity, His promises to provide—he realized that fear had been ruling his heart. Slowly, he began to trust and believe what the Bible says about God's character and the way He provides for those He loves. He started tithing again. He offered to serve at church. He began showing up more fully in his relationships, trusting God to meet his needs. He began to see he could give to others trusting God to meet all of his own needs. The shift from scarcity to abundance made him more generous—and more joyful.
Living From Abundance: What It Looks Like
Making decisions from faith, not fear→ “What is God inviting me to trust Him with?”
Responding with grace, not defensiveness→ “What would love do here, not fear?”
Giving generously→ “God sees. God provides. I can give.”
Receiving correction without shame→ “God is growing me, not condemning me.”
Living with purpose→ “I’m not proving anything. I’m partnering with God.”
Reflective Questions for Realignment
Even when we know we’re God’s beloved, we all slip into fear or striving. Pause and realign:
Am I trusting in God’s good-heartedness right now?
What lie am I believing about God—or myself?
What would change if I trusted God is working for my good—even in this?
What promise of God speaks directly to this circumstance?
“He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all—how will He not also… graciously give us all things?” – Romans 8:32
You Were Made to Flourish
God’s intention isn’t for you to live in fear, shame, or exhaustion. He invites you to live from the abundance of being His beloved child—resting in His love, secure in His provision, and free to live with purpose and joy.
Living from abundance means:
You don’t have to compare.
You don’t have to grasp for control.
You don’t have to fix everything.
You can be a humble learner.You can give and forgive.You can flourish—because He is enough.
Where in your life do you most often operate out of fear or scarcity? What would change if you trusted God’s heart for you in that area?
If you're ready to shift from striving to secure, let’s walk together.I offer gospel-centered coaching to help you realign with God’s truth and flourish as His beloved.👉 Schedule a free discovery call today to start your journey toward freedom and abundance.
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