It Wasn’t Always Like This: How I Learned to Flow from Identity First

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In this post, we explore moving from a life of striving and anxiety to one of peace and flow, rooted in your true identity as a Daughter of God. We uncover the lies of hustle culture, explore Romans 12:1–2, and provide practical steps to align your life with Kingdom flow.

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Romans 12:1–2 — “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

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This passage reminds us that true peace comes from living from awareness, not achievement, and stepping fully into the identity God has given us.

Paul urges us in Romans 12:1 to “offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”

At first glance, people read this and think: “Do more, give more, prove myself.” Just like Isaiah 54:17 is often misquoted as “the weapon won’t even form,” Romans 12:1–2 is misread as “I have to perform perfectly to be holy or pleasing to God.”

And that’s exactly what I believed for years. I thought if I served more, gave more, and performed better, I’d finally get the pats on the back, finally earn affirmation, finally receive the love I’d been craving.

But that’s not what Paul is saying. He’s not calling us to a performance-based holiness. He’s calling us to a sacrifice that flows from identity—from a mind renewed by God—where our worth and peace aren’t tied to what we do, but to who we already are in Christ.

The call to be a “living sacrifice” doesn’t mean exhausting effort. It means offering yourself from a place of awareness—awareness of who you are in Christ. The transformation Paul talks about happens in the mind, not in your performance. It’s not about trying harder; it’s about thinking differently.

Identity is the anchor.

Without a clear sense of who you are in Christ, every expectation or comparison can wear you down. But when your mind is renewed by God, your obedience flows naturally from peace, not pressure. You stop chasing approval because you already know you’re accepted.

The enemy’s tricks are real.

Distraction, fear, and striving will form—just like the “weapon” forms in Isaiah. But they cannot prosper against a mind that is aligned with God. When you are aware of your identity and live from it, the transformation Paul promises becomes a reality: your decisions, your actions, and even your calling operate from a place of peace and authority.

In short, Romans 12:1–2 isn’t a checklist to earn favor—it’s an invitation to live from your true identity, where peace flows naturally, and your authority in Christ is activated without striving.

What’s the problem?

The problem is that most of us are living from a performance-based identity without even realizing it. We try to earn approval, validate our worth through what we do, and chase peace as if it’s a reward for achievement.

And The enemy loves this. He steals our confidence and replaces it with insecurity. He swaps our courage for fear, our strength for exhaustion, and our rest for striving. When we question who we are in Christ, we hand over authority we already possess—and half the battle is lost before it even begins.

That was me. I was fighting battles I could never win. I couldn’t understand why, despite serving in church, reading my Bible, fasting and praying, and calling myself a Christian, nothing in my life was changing. I was broke. I was sick. My children were out of order. My life didn’t reflect a believer in Christ—it reflected the world.

When I read verses like Romans 12:1–2, I thought they meant “do more, give more, serve more, go to church more, tithe more.” To me, that was what presenting my body as a living sacrifice looked like.

I thought surrendering my will meant working harder, performing better, and earning approval.

And here's the result-when we don't have a true understanding of who we are in Christ? We’re exhausted, stuck in cycles of striving, and missing the peace and authority that come naturally when we live from awareness of our identity, not our performance.

This is why I’m so passionate about Kingdom believers knowing who we are from a place of identity—because when we truly understand it, we begin to live like it. Our choices, our responses, our peace, and even our authority start flowing from who we are in Christ, not from striving or performance. Our Identity shapes everything—how we parent, lead, serve, and walk in the world—because we’re no longer reacting from fear or trying to earn approval. We move from rest, not rush. I’ve become an expert in Kingdom identity-first living because I’ve had to fight to get here. My mission is to help others do the same—so they don’t have to struggle the way I did.

That journey drove me to dig deep. I became a subject matter expert in Kingdom identity because I had to fight for my own. It didn’t happen overnight. I faced lies, exposed the enemy’s schemes, and reclaimed my God-given identity piece by piece.

And that’s exactly how I created the Get Realigned: Oil to Flow Coaching Program—a 14-week journey designed to walk you step-by-step through realignment in four phases.

Phase 1: Clarity & Calling – We expose the lies, break the agreements, and rediscover who God says you are.

Phase 2: Identity Healing – We uproot performance, fear, rejection, and hidden wounds, replacing them with truth.

Phase 3: Authority Activation – You learn to walk in daughtership, releasing your Kingdom voice in life and business.

Phase 4: Multiplication – We align your purpose with strategy, so everything you put your hands to thrives and multiplies.

If you're ready to get realigned, the next step is simple: start with the Kingdom Identity Assessment. This will reveal where you’ve been performing out of old patterns and where God is inviting you to rest, rebuild, and step fully into your identity as His daughter.

From there, whether you choose to dive into the coaching program or take it step by step, you’ll have a clear, Spirit-led path to move from striving to flowing—living from identity first, not performance. This is where peace, clarity, and multiplication naturally begin.

Flowing from Identity First: Steps, Mindsets, and Shifts

I want to share something real quick because you might believe you have to separate your spiritual life from your everyday life—but you don’t. You’re simply becoming conscious and aware of it.

Let me tell you about religion versus relationship: religion separates you from living Romans 12:1–2 daily—presenting your body as a living sacrifice.

But here’s what this really means: being in relationship with God isn’t separate from your life. You and God are becoming one, and your daily actions flow from that connection.

I had a dream recently about a woman who was married but tried to live like she was single woman. I thought, you can’t do that — you’re married. It reminded me that I can’t live as if I’m not in covenant with God. As His daughter, my daily life flows out of that relationship.

4 steps that I use to help me get into alignment.

Step 1: Begin the day in awareness

When I wake up, I invite the Holy Spirit in. I say, “Good morning, Father, SON, and Holy Spirit.” If I feel any separation, I pray, “Lord, help me realign.” Then I ask Him to guide me through the day.

Even when I wake up late—like recently when my alarm went off at 3:30 a.m., but I slept in until 5:30—I pause and reflect on what affected my rest. Maybe I stayed up too long playing a game on my cell phone or watching my favorite series on TV. That’s okay; it’s not about restriction, but about healthy limits. Awareness allows me to make choices aligned with God’s rhythm.

Step 2: Treat every action as worship

On a normal day, I start by writing down dreams and journaling for 15–20 minutes. Then I brush my teeth while listening to worship music, followed by about 30 minutes of intentional movement—walking indoors, dancing, stretching. It clears my mind and energizes me.

This is Romans 12:1–2 in action. Every simple act—brushing teeth, exercising, journaling, reading Scripture—becomes worship. It’s not about rituals or restriction; it’s about living in alignment with God’s presence.

Even when my routine is disrupted, I haven’t failed. My life itself is worship. I can pick up the rhythm later in the day and still stay in flow with the Spirit.

Step 3: Let relationship—not religion—guide you

Religion makes us think we have to rush, overcompensate, or cut things out to “make up for lost time.” Relationship reminds us that everything we do—big or small—is unto the Lord. Time is God’s creation; we’re never truly behind.

When I stay in this flow, I notice little signs of God’s care—like an unexpected coupon for a free smoothie right after I finished my last one. Or I was at Panera Bread earlier in the week to write, and I had a free pastry reward, the clerk gave me a free coffee and cup of cream cheese to put on my bagel. I didn't have to pay for anything. He’s watching every detail.

Step 4: Rest in alignment

I choose not to rush or become anxious. I rest in my Father’s care, because I’m His daughter. Everything I do—brushing my teeth, exercising, journaling, reading, recording, creating—is worship. He receives glory through it all.

When I flow with the Holy Spirit instead of fighting the clock, alignment comes naturally. And in that alignment, everything I need—clarity, peace, energy, even physical health—comes without striving. When I notice these little signs—like the smoothie coupon or the Panera surprise—it reminds me that God is intimately involved in the details of my life. And that’s the beauty of staying in flow: I don’t have to force things or worry about timing. I can rest in alignment with Him, trusting that He’s working everything for my good.

Resting in this alignment allows me to move through the day with peace, clarity, and energy, knowing that even the small moments are part of His plan.

The 4 steps I shared isn't some groundbreaking discovery—it’s simply alignment. When you pause, rest, and realign, the Holy Spirit often reveals areas where your old identity still lingers.

Here’s another example from my own life—this is Romans 12:1–2 in real time.

About a week or two ago, I was driving with my daughter and noticed I was being aggressive—something I hadn’t done in a long time. Immediately, I thought, "Ooh, I need to pray."

The Holy Spirit helped me recognize: "That’s your old identity, Idina. That’s not who you are anymore."

The next morning, the same feeling lingered—even in my dreams. I asked the Lord, What’s going on? He showed me that I’d gone back to watching certain TV shows I had once avoided—full of content that grieved my spirit.

I realized: That’s not who I am anymore.

"So, I knew I needed to get back on track—I needed to return to truth.

Here’s how I started: I began journaling. I grabbed my Bible and went to Psalm 139:23–24: I needed Psalm 139 to reveal what was in my heart.

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my thoughts. See if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

I prayed:

“Father, I repent. I surrender my heart, I surrender idolatry, I surrender the system behind going back and watching shows I stopped watching awhile ago and then returning to them: Father, I ask that you Search my heart and show me the root. in Jesus Name."

When The Holy Spirit whispered, It’s a system. I surrendered it, laying down every desire to return to what’s not from Him. I journaled, asking: Why did I stop watching these shows in the first place?

I remembered: the discomfort I felt before was conviction, not condemnation. But I’d never put a new godly system in place to protect my peace.

So, as I journaled and surrendered these patterns, it became clear: this isn’t about guilt or punishment—it’s about realignment. The Holy Spirit reminded me that conviction and condemnation aren’t the same thing.

• Conviction pulls you closer to God
• condemnation pushes you away.

That’s when I realized Romans 12:1–2 isn’t a checklist of things to do—it’s a pathway to living from my true identity, being transformed from the inside out."

Here's what John 16:8–11 reminds us:

• For the world: conviction exposes unbelief.
• For believers: conviction corrects identity misalignment, not condemns.

Conviction pulls you closer; condemnation pushes you away.

So for believers, the Holy Spirit affirms our right standing: “You are accepted. You belong. You are righteous.”

The enemy has been defeated. The verdict is settled. Your case is closed. You are righteous in Christ.

What To Do When You Notice Misalignment

Pray:

“Father, I break agreement with that in Jesus’ name. I receive more of Your love in this area. Help me walk in my true identity.”

That’s walking in the Spirit.

• Here's what Religion says: "You sinned—now pay for it."
• Relationship says: "You forgot who you are—come closer."

Sis, You already carry the Holy Spirit. You don’t need to strive; just stay aware, yielded, and aligned.

You are cleansed. You are righteous. You are walking in your new identity.

“These practical steps are how we live Romans 12:1–2 daily. Now, let’s step into the biblical foundation for rebuilding unshakeable identity.

Here’s how I apply this in real time every week.

On Sundays, I slow down and write the vision for my week — not my goals, but vision.

I ask, ‘Where am I out of alignment?’

I even have this taped to my computer:

• Focus on where you are going, vision-wise.
• Does what you’re doing right now coincide with the assignment and the vision for those you serve?

That one question helps me stay on track. And guides me back to purpose.

Also on Sundays, I review my journal entries from the week before and make adjustments.

1. What stood out to me?
2. How was I feeling on that day?
3. Did I introduce anything new into my life?
4. What's one thing you continue doing that you know works?

I also pay attention to how my body reacts — do I sense tension, racing thoughts, or fatigue? Those signals tell the truth, just like those butterflies we talked about a few episodes back.

If my body senses pressure, I bring every plan and every burden to the feet of Jesus.

Then I reset.

I have these rhythms in place because before, I was scattered and confused, striving — moving in every direction but not necessarily in alignment. These pauses keep me in the flow of the Holy Spirit and anchored to the vision God placed in me.”

Living in Alignment: Weekly Checkpoints

Sunday Reset:

• Review your previous week’s journal entries.
• Ask: “Where am I out of alignment?”
• Pay attention to your body’s signals: tension, fatigue, or racing thoughts.
• Bring every plan, pressure, and goal to Jesus.
• Reset your heart and mind.

These pauses keep you anchored to the Holy Spirit’s flow and the vision God placed in you, turning Mondays and the rest of your week into days of peace before performance.

Kingdom Solution: Mirror & Power

Mirror (James 1:22–25): See yourself through God’s eyes. Scripture becomes a reflection, not a checklist.

Power (2 Timothy 3:5): Live from the inside out. God’s power flows through you—not performance, but presence.

Unite Mirror + Power: True identity emerges when reflection meets empowerment. Your voice becomes your weapon: speaking truth, declaring identity, and releasing peace.

Weekly Challenge: Notice where peace leaves your day—use it as a compass to realign with God’s rhythm.

Your voice is a weapon:

When you see yourself through the mirror of the Word and live from the power of the Spirit — your voice changes.

1. You start speaking truth, not fear.
2. You declare your identity instead of defending your worth.
3. You release peace into chaos.

That’s what it means to walk in authority. You’re no longer reacting — you’re ruling from a place of rest.

Identity Confessions

1. I am God’s beloved.
2. I walk in peace, not pressure.
3. I live from awareness, not achievement.
4. My voice is a weapon.
5. My identity is my power.

Final Thoughts & Action Steps

Living from identity first is transformational. When you pause, rest, and realign, you move from fear, striving, and exhaustion to peace, authority, and Kingdom flow.

Your next steps:

• Take the Kingdom Identity Assessment to uncover blocks and start walking in authority.
• Reflect on your gifts, wisdom, and anointing—pour them out and trust God to multiply.
• Declare your identity daily: “I am God’s beloved. I walk in authority and peace.”

🎧 Listen to the latest episode, subscribe for more encouragement, leave a quick review, and share it with a sister who’s ready to break free from her old identity.

My Story: From Survival Mode to Spirit-Led Identity Hi, I’m Idina—a Kingdom entrepreneur, Holy Spirit-led identity coach, and voice of truth called to help women heal, rediscover their God-given identity, and build with clarity and excellence. I need to tell you something honestly: It wasn’t always like this. The clarity, confidence, and flow you see in me today — I didn’t start here. For years, I lived in survival mode. I prayed but doubted myself. I served everyone but ignored my own needs. I pushed, performed, hustled… hoping something would finally shift. But nothing did — because I was building my life backwards. I had faith. I had vision. I had gifting. But I didn’t have identity. And without identity, everything felt heavy, scattered, and out of rhythm. Then the shift came — not all at once, but layer by layer. I started trusting the small whisperings. I obeyed before I understood. I showed up even when I felt unqualified. I walked by faith and spoke anyway. And slowly, the fruit began to grow inside me first: My mind became clear. My voice returned. My confidence settled. My spirit aligned. My dreams awakened. My identity spoke louder than my history. That’s when the Get Realigned: Oil to Flow™ framework was born —not from theory, but from my transformation. Now I help women do what I had to learn the hard way: Stop building from fear. Start building from identity. Let God realign everything from the inside out. And when you do? Fruit follows. Peace follows. Clarity follows. Provision unfolds. Purpose awakens. Life gets realigned. Not by striving —but by surrendering into who God says you are. ​ ​