Let me ask you something. When was the last time you stopped and asked yourself who you’re becoming? Not what you’re doing every day. Not the roles you fill. But the person you are slowly turning into. Because whether we realize it or not, every day we are becoming someone. The real question is: Are we becoming that person intentionally?

Growth Isn’t Just Personal

Growth has defined my entire last year of life. I moved, started a new job, graduated, stepped into my role as a doctor, and began navigating marriage and building a life with my husband. With all of those transitions, my identity has shifted in many ways. And that forced me to ask one of the hardest questions any of us can ask: Who am I? The truth is, that question never really has a final answer. Because if we are truly growing, who we are should always be evolving. Instead of only asking “Who am I?” I began asking a different question: “Who do I want to become?” Because when we define who we want to become, we begin shaping the direction of our lives.

The Power of “I Am”

Research shows that the words we repeatedly tell ourselves can shape our mindset and behavior. Studies published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology show that when people affirm their identity and values, they become more resilient to stress and less defensive during challenges. Another study in the Journal of Research in Personality found that people who practiced self-affirmation experienced higher self-esteem over time. Why? Because repeated identity statements begin to reshape how we see ourselves. They can: Reinforce positive beliefs, weaken negative internal narratives, and shift long-term self-perception Our brains are neuroplastic, meaning the neural pathways in our brain strengthen based on the thoughts we repeat most often. When we constantly repeat thoughts like: “I’m not good enough,” “I always mess things up,” or “I can’t do this,” those pathways become stronger. But when we intentionally reinforce statements like: “I am growing,” “I am disciplined,” or “I am someone who takes responsibility for my health,” we begin strengthening entirely different neural pathways.

Your Nervous System and Growth

Growth isn’t just emotional or spiritual—it’s neurological too. Your brain is constantly adapting to the environment around you. Every stressor, challenge, and experience requires your nervous system to process information and decide how your body will respond. One area of the brain heavily involved in identity, decision-making, and self-awareness is the frontal cortex. For the brain to function at its best, communication through the nervous system must work properly. Your spine protects the nervous system, which is the communication pathway between your brain and body. Research shows chiropractic adjustments can influence activity in the prefrontal cortex, helping the brain better process and adapt to stress. When your nervous system is functioning well: your body adapts better to change, your brain processes challenges more effectively, and your mind can build stronger neurological connections around the identity you are creating. Growth isn’t just about saying the right words—it’s about creating an environment where your brain and body can adapt and thrive.

Growth Requires Challenge

Growth is rarely comfortable. Anything meaningful in life doesn’t come easily, it requires resistance and discipline. But scripture reminds us that challenges are often where our greatest growth happens. Hebrews 12:6 says, “For the Lord disciplines the one He loves.” A love that doesn’t sharpen… spoils. So the question becomes: Do we love ourselves enough to allow ourselves to be sharpened? James 1:2-3 says, “Consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” Why would we ever count trials as joy? Because warriors are not formed in blessings. They’re formed through challenges. Psalms 144:1 says, “Praise be to the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war and my fingers for battle.” So if life feels hard, you’re not failing, you’re training. God doesn’t always give you comfort. But He will expand your capacity. Romans 8:18 reminds us, “The sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing to the glory that will be revealed.” In other words: Suffering now. Glory later. So don’t run from the fire. That’s exactly where we are forged. And if we’re honest, most of us feel like we’re battling ourselves at times. And that’s okay. Because we may be stretched, broken, refined, but never rejected. The real competition in life isn’t with other people. It’s with the person you were yesterday. We are meant to be continually growing. Continually refining. Continually becoming better for the people whose lives we touch.

Don’t Drift Through Life

Life has a way of pulling us into autopilot. We get busy. We get comfortable. And slowly… we drift. Author Christine Caine once said: “All you have to do to drift in life… is nothing.” No reflection. No challenge. No intentional growth. And slowly we drift away from our values and from who we were meant to become.

A Question for You

So today I want to challenge you with one simple question: Who do you want to become? Not who you’ve been. Not who others expect you to be. But who you believe God is calling you to become. Once you decide that, start reminding yourself daily. Speak it. Believe it. Live it. Because growth doesn’t happen by accident. It happens when identity becomes intentional.

Wishing you all the best,


Dr. Allison