Insecurity to Identity
Being a Light, Not for Likes
There’s something powerful about hearing another woman of faith talk honestly about her journey — not just the high notes, but the raw, real moments in between. I was so encouraged by Sadie Robertson Huff as she shared her story about identity, social media, and what it’s been like leaning on God through fame, insecurity, and motherhood.
Sadie’s been in the spotlight since she was a teen; you probably remember her from Dancing with the Stars or Duck Dynasty. What you may not know is that behind that confident smile was a girl wrestling with a whirlwind of voices — people’s opinions, criticisms, and expectations. “I didn’t know how much the opinion of man could sway me until I was in the fire of it,” she shared.
Isn’t that the case for so many of us? Whether we’re on a stage or just scrolling through social media, it’s so easy to get swept up in comparison and confusion, defining ourselves by what others think instead of who God says we are.
Sadie bravely opened up about her 17-year-old self trying to navigate national TV, judgment from viewers, and the battle within. Week one, she was a “light.” Week two, she was “too much.” That rollercoaster was dizzying. But that season stirred something deeper in her: a need to root her identity in something unshakable. And it brought her to a place of crying out to God, “Who do You say that I am?”
That question changed everything.
She remembered who she was as a child — a girl who loved to preach to her parents from the countertop. A girl who always found joy in being a sister and a friend. And in that quiet space, God whispered to her heart: “You’re not called to be famous. You’re called to be a sister and a friend to those who don’t have one.”
Wow. That right there is purpose. Not performance.
I think so many of us can relate. We want to make a difference. We want our life to matter. But often, the pressure to do it in a certain way, or to be “liked” for it, can cloud our calling. What Sadie discovered — and what I’ve found to be true, too — is that God equips us with purpose by using what He already placed inside us: our passions, our personalities, and our stories.
Just like Jesus called Peter, a fisherman, and said, “Come, follow me, and I will make you a fisher of men” (Matthew 4:19), He calls us the same way. He meets us right in the middle of what we know and loves us into a life of deeper purpose.
Sadie also talked about the decision to take a year off social media. In a culture that’s obsessed with likes, going “dark” might seem crazy. But for her, it was obedience. She didn’t want to miss what was happening in her real life because she was too busy watching everyone else’s. And wow — isn’t that a word for us all?
The truth is, we need space. We need stillness. We need to remember who we are apart from a highlight reel. And the good news? God’s Word is the truest mirror. It tells us we are loved, chosen, called, and cherished. Not because we perform, but because we belong.
Romans 12:2 (ESV) says:
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Whether you’re in high school, a new mom, or just trying to live faithfully in the everyday, you don’t have to prove yourself. God already knows who you are. And He’s already equipped you to be a light in the way He designed you to shine.
Two Major Takeaways:
1. You don’t have to ride the rollercoaster of people’s opinions.
Root your identity in God’s truth, not social media approval. Ask Him who He says you are, and trust that His voice is the one that matters most. Sadie’s story reminds us that clarity comes when we listen to the One who created us.
2. Take time to unplug and be present.
You don’t need to be “on” all the time. Whether it’s a full detox or a simple daily limit, choosing to step back from the scroll can give you the mental and spiritual space you need to grow, hear from God, and show up fully in your real life.
As Sadie shared, “I’m still a sister and a friend to those who don’t have one.” That’s her ministry. That’s her calling. And maybe yours looks different, but I bet it’s already inside you — waiting for you to trust God enough to say yes.
Let’s not be so busy trying to be seen that we miss being known. Let’s fix our eyes on Jesus, the one who calls us by name and invites us to live from a place of purpose, not performance.
Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV):
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God… will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
You don’t have to hustle for identity. Just be who He created you to be.
