Bellevue Christian Counseling Logo

  • ServicesRead about the expertise available
    • Individual ServicesAddress your personal concerns confidentially
      • ADHD
      • Abandonment Issues and Neglect
      • Aging and Geriatric Issues
      • Anger Management
      • Anxiety
      • Autism Spectrum Disorder
      • Bipolar Disorder
      • Chemical Dependency
      • Counseling for Children
      • Counseling for Teens
      • Codependency
      • Depression
      • Eating Disorders
      • EMDR
      • Grief and loss Counseling
      • Individual Counseling
      • Infidelity and Affairs
      • Lifespan Integration Therapy
      • Men’s Issues
      • OCD
      • Personal Development
      • Psychological Testing
      • PTSD
      • Relationship Issues
      • Sex And Porn Addiction
      • Sexual Abuse
      • Spiritual Development
      • Trauma
      • Weight Loss
      • Women’s Issues
    • Christian Couples CounselingWork through challenges together
      • Couples Counseling
      • Premarital Counseling
      • Marriage Counseling
    • Family CounselingEstablish the peaceful home you desire
      • Christian Counseling for Children
        and Teens
      • Family Counseling
    • Group CounselingBenefit from the support of others
      • Men’s Sexual Addiction Recovery
        Group
      • All Counseling Groups
    • Online Counseling
    • Anxiety
    • Depression
    • Marriage Counseling
    • Sex And Porn Addiction
  • LocationsChoose from our variety of office locations
    • Anacortes 1Anacortes
    • Bellevue
    • Bothell 8Bothell
    • Bellevue Christian Counseling 1Edmonds
    • Everett 8Everett
    • Federal Way
    • Kent 2Kent
    • Kirkland Christian CounselingKirkland
    • Lacey Christian CounselingLacey
    •  1Mill Creek
    •  1Monroe
    • Oak Harbor Office OutsideOak Harbor
    • Poulsbo
    •  1Puyallup
    • Redmond 3Redmond
    • Seattle Ballard 6Seattle Ballard
    •  1Seattle Downtown
    • Seattle Greenlake 10Seattle Greenlake
    • Silverdale Office FrontSilverdale
    • Tacoma 6Tacoma
    •  1Spokane
    • Spokane ValleySpokane Valley
    • Vancouver
    •  1Online Counseling
  • CounselorsFind the best counselor for your needs
  • CareersBecome an affiliated Christian counselor
  • (425) 939-6856Please give us a call, we are here to help
header-image

Identity or the “We” Factor – Christian Counseling

Bellevue Christian Counseling
https://bellevuechristiancounseling.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/identity-or-the-we-factor-christian-counseling-4.jpg 1280 1920
https://bellevuechristiancounseling.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/bellevue.jpg
https://bellevuechristiancounseling.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/cropped-cropped-seattle-logo.png
330 112th Ave NE, Suite 302
BELLEVUE, WA 98004
United States
330 112th Ave NE, Suite 302
BELLEVUE, WA 98004
United States
Photo of Erik Mildes

Erik Mildes

May
2015
29

Identity or the “We” Factor – Christian Counseling

Erik Mildes

DepressionIndividual CounselingMen's IssuesPersonal DevelopmentSpiritual Development
Identity or the “We” Factor - Christian Counseling 1Whose team are you on? An interesting study from the University of Utah has found a strong correlation between testosterone levels and sports fans. Male fans were observed before and after their sports teams had competed, and the study found that fans of the winning team experienced a 20% spike in their testosterone level, which was equivalent to the testosterone spike observed in the athletes themselves. A commensurate decrease in testosterone levels was also observed in the fans of the losing team. What conclusions can we draw from this? Apparently the men were identifying so strongly with their respective sports teams that they actually vicariously experienced their team’s defeat or victory on a physiological level. The sting of defeat and the rush of victory was felt so strongly due to their self-identification with their team that they somehow suffered the same loss or enjoyed the same communal benefits from victories that they did not actually accomplish. Talk about unity!

Identity or the “We” Factor - Christian Counseling 2Where Do You Get Your Identity?

This makes me wonder to what degree we in the church identify as members of the same team. After all, before this study by the University of Utah we had 1 Corinthians 12:26-27 that states: “And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.” That sounds a lot like this study, doesn’t it? However, this team is not just a sports team but the entire Kingdom of Heaven here on earth – it is every believer, every Christian brother and sister. So, to get back to the title of this post: Where do you get your identity?

The glorious Church marches on, for all its deep flaws and deeply flawed membership. Christianity continues to be the only source of eternal life and light in a world gone dark. Do you experience this team unity, the fist pumping over each new life saved from death, each captive delivered, and every light that shines in the darkness? A lack of identity in Christ leads us to a lack of passionate joyful participation. We become just plain show-up members. We need to show up at church, yes, but we also need to show up in our marriages, for our kids, for our neighbors, and for our communities – and we need to do so with zeal. When football or the like commands our devotion above all else, then something has gone terribly awry. This is illustrated by the superfan who is willing to lose their voice shouting at the television in anger or celebration, yet who is strangely blasé in considering God’s agenda.

Like us if you are enjoying this content.

We Want to Find Passion

The purpose of this post is not to guilt trip anyone. We have plenty of that already: “I need to do better, go to church more, read my bible more, give more, pray more, do more, more, more…” We will not find passion – whether for our spouse, our neighbor, or God – down that path. Yet we do want to find passion. I am convinced that there are many of us living lives of quiet desperation. We are aware to one degree or another that we want more. We want more to cheer for than just a recreational sport. We want more to inspire our passions and allegiances than just a temporary scoreboard. We all crave meaning and purpose in our lives and too many of us are scared or deceived into believing there is none, at least not for them.

We are On the Winning Team

Identity or the “We” Factor - Christian CounselingBut this is not the truth. The truth is that all the trappings of this world are temporary distractions, but this is not true of people. Our souls are eternal – yours and mine, together with our spouses, and all of us. This is what matters. People matter. God matters. At the cross of Calvary everything that mattered came crashing together as the epicenter of life and righteousness, victory and sacrifice, courage and love. When Jesus died on the cross, we won. We who believe are on the winning team in the only contest that matters, which is the battle of eternal life and death. I think we need to remind ourselves of this reality. The more we meditate on the truth of our identity in Christ and our personal participation in the contest between good and evil, eternal life and eternal death, we will start to wake up. And when we wake up, we will find that we are victorious.

If the studies are any indication, this is something to get excited about.

You need to remember who you are. But, more importantly, you need to remember Whose you are. Do you belong to Jesus? If so, I have good news for you: We have won!

Christian Counseling for Passionate Living

To love and to glorify the Lord is your right and your destiny. If you are struggling in life, stuck in the doldrums of the normals, or just want to feel excited about waking up again, Christian counseling can help you. To live lives of significance and meaning is not only within our grasp, it is ordained by God.

So live. Live every day with passion and fully alive because in Christ you are alive. Let us help you to live every day and to make it count for Christ.

 

Photos
“Who am I,” courtesy of Michelle Collins, www.creationswap.com; “Street Lamps At Night In Winter,” courtesy of Petr Kratochvil, www.publicdomainpictures.net; “Sky light,” courtesy of Lauren Rees, www.creationswap.com

  • Share on Facebook
  • Tweet it
  • ↑ Back to top
Photo of Erik Mildes
Erik is currently not accepting new clients

Erik Mildes

Licensed Counselor and Clinical Supervisor
(425) 939-9934 erik@seattlechristiancounseling.com

I believe in the healing, transformative promises of Christ. I also believe in His patience, and have had the privilege of seeing God’s grace work miracles in the lives of my clients. As a Master’s level Mental Health Counselor, I’m honored to act as a vessel for the Lord, one that will help you discover healing and growth. I help people recover from issues like abuse, depression, anxiety, broken relationships, spiritual concerns, and more. Whatever you’re going through, I offer you support, experience, and hope for a new, Christ-filled future. Read more articles by Erik »

Other articles that might interest you...

spacer

spacer

spacer

About Erik

Photo of Erik Mildes

Erik Mildes, MA, LMHC

Licensed Counselor and Clinical Supervisor

I believe in the healing, transformative promises of Christ. I also believe in His patience, and have had the privilege of seeing God’s grace work miracles in the lives of my clients. As a Master’s level Mental Health Counselor, I’m honored to act as a vessel for the Lord, one that will help you discover healing and growth. I help people recover from issues like abuse, depression, anxiety, broken relationships, spiritual concerns, and more. Whatever you’re going through, I offer you support, experience, and hope for a new, Christ-filled future. View Erik's Profile

Recent articles by Erik

  • May 12 · Keeping Your Marriage from Being a Casualty of Porn Addiction
  • Sep 1 · Social Anxiety and the Need to Belong
  • Jun 13 · Understanding Depression
See all articles by Erik »

Related Services

  • Depression
  • Individual Counseling
  • Men's Issues
  • Personal Development
  • Spiritual Development

Erik's Office Locations

  • Photo of the Bothell office

    Bothell

    Washington

    General Office Number

    (425) 939-7959
    10116 Main St,, Suite 204 Bothell, WA 98011

    View Office Details

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Bellevue Christian Counseling Logo
Bellevue Christian Counseling
Professional help with faith-based values
We are an association of professional, independently licensed Christian counselors experienced in helping people of all ages find healing for a wide variety of issues.
© 2023 Bellevue Christian Counseling. All rights reserved.
330 112th Ave NE,, Bellevue, WA 98004. Tel (425) 939-6856.
Facebook Twitter Online Counseling About Us Privacy Policy Terms of Use Feel free to contact us!
COVID-19 Service Update: We are still open for business. In office and online counseling is available if needed.