Dust It Off: Remembering Who God Says You Are

Written by Rebecca Johnson

Recently, I came across a dream I had written down. It was a long one, but one part stood out.

In the dream, I was sitting in church. The pastor leaned over me to reach for something behind me, and I remember thinking, Why can’t he just walk around? Then, unexpectedly, he began dusting dirt out of my hair. At first, I thought it was dandruff—but it wasn’t.

He looked at me and said, “You’ve allowed people to speak negative things over you. No more.”

I had forgotten this part of the dream, and I’m so glad I wrote it down. The next day, I was with a group of young people, and we started talking about our future goals. But soon the conversation shifted. Some of the students began making comments about certain behaviors—especially about one particular boy.

It was subtle at first, little hints and inside jokes, but I noticed this boy was constantly being reminded of his past mistakes. He looked so dejected. After I left, the dream came flooding back, and I realized why God had brought it to my attention again.

That young boy was being publicly misunderstood, judged, and exposed in front of others who didn’t even know him well. It reminded me of moments in my own life—being misunderstood, judged, and labeled based on stories or opinions that weren’t the full truth.

And it hurt.

But here’s what I’ve learned:
People may throw dirt on your name. They may speak untruths, or even “their truth” about you. But they do not have the power to define who you are. Only the One who created you does.

The Bible reminds us:

“No weapon formed against you shall prosper,
And every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn.
This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord,
And their righteousness is from Me,” says the Lord.
— Isaiah 54:17 (NKJV)

Ever notice how, when God called people in the Bible into their destiny, He often did it in private—not in front of a crowd?

I believe that’s intentional. God wants you to first know who He says you are—before the world tries to label you. You don’t need validation from others when the One who created the universe has already called you chosen, beloved, and set apart.

Challenge:

Take a moment today and write down:
✍🏾 The negative things people have spoken to you, about you, or over you.
Then write down:
📖 What God says about you. If you don’t know, open your Bible. It’s filled with truth and promises just for you.