Few monarchies remain in the world, yet royalty never fails to intrigue us.  Fairy tales, books, movies, modern media news on royal family members, feed our fascination and create dreams in the hearts of children and adults alike.

What if each of us were to wake up one morning and discover that we ourselves were royalty?  Like in the movie “The Princess Diaries”?  Just the thought of it sends our minds racing with wondrous opportunities and outcomes.

Guess what?  If the king is our dad, that makes us princes and princesses—royalty!  Good news– this applies to all of us who have joined God’s family, entering a relationship that makes Him our Father!  Better yet, the One we can now call “Abba” (“Daddy”), happens to be the King of kings!  This makes us ultimate royalty—crème de la crème! (Rom. 8:14-16)

But, as with the teenage girl in “The Princess Diaries”, that takes a seismic shift in self-perception to wrap our heads around the reality of being royalty.  We’ve gotten so used to thinking of ourselves as whatever others expect of us, how they’ve labelled us, and our own self-image, that when we look in the mirror, we don’t see “Prince” or “Princess”.  We see “Awkward”, “Stupid”, “Inadequate”, “Slow”, “Misfit”, “Ugly” … the list can include any junky concept the world and the Enemy have made us believe about ourselves.  Even the “brightest and the best” struggle with insecurity over something they feel lacking in.

Like everyone else, I have my own strengths and weaknesses, and have had plenty of struggles with my identity.  But I’ve found some effective ways to help me realize and internalize my royalty that apply to all of us:

R ecognize the significance of our relationship with the Lord.  As mentioned above, we are children of the King.  As such, we have full access to Him, and with that, full access to the position, privileges, [and power] of the throne.  Of course, He has the final say-so on the use of that position, privileges, and power.  But we can approach him freely, in any situation, assured that He is able, willing, and wise to do whatever’s best for us. (Heb. 4:16; Jn. 16:23b-24)

O bserve how royalty behaves and do likewise.  In that same film, “The Princess Diaries”, the socially awkward teenage girl had to watch and copy her grandmother until she “got it” about how a princess carries herself.  In the case of our spiritual royalty, we are told “the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked. (1 Jn. 2:6) – which other Scriptures describe as “love”, “humility”, “forgive”, and “the fruit of the Spirit– love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Gal. 5:22-23)

Y ank our “royal robes” out of the closet—wear them!  Don’t go around in grungy old “clothing”, as though we had nothing better to “wear”! (Eph. 2:4) Appearing in public in the “garb” of our true identity in Christ is not pride.  Especially when we consider that spiritually royal garb consists of “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” (Col. 3:12)

A ct on the truth—this is not “fake it ‘til you make it”.  This is going by reality instead of by our feelings.  Keep practicing right thinking and character until our new identity in Him is so embedded in our self-concept, we don’t even question anymore whether or not we’re royalty.  “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Eph. 2:10)

L isten to what God, in His Word and in prayer, says about us. “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”  (1 Pet. 2:9) Eph. 2:6; Col. 2:10; 1 Jn. 3:1, and many other Scriptures confirm our identity in Him.

Don’t allow the devil, the world, or even those close to us define our identity or worth. When we meet daily with our Father through Scripture reading, prayer, and meditation, the “imposter syndrome” and doubts about our royal-family standing will dissipate.  Queen Elizabeth has never felt like she didn’t belong in the House of Windsor, and we need never feel like we don’t belong in the “House” of the Lord!

We are royalty.  Treat ourselves and each other accordingly and remember to dress appropriately!