~ written by Connie Dunmyer
I have always liked looking at the meaning behind names. In my blog, “Faithful, Loyal ... and Stubborn”, I shared that my name means “stubborn”. My husband’s means “a Viking, or one from Denmark”. My two daughters’ names mean “princess” and “white wave”. They married men whose names mean “sly fox” and “western meadow”.
The meaning of a name in the Bible was of particular importance. There are many instances in the Bible of God changing the name of people. Abram was changed to Abraham. Sarai was changed to Sarah. Simon was changed to Peter. Saul was changed to Paul. And of course, Jacob was changed to Israel.
Genesis 35:9-10 “God appeared to Jacob again, when he came from Paddan-aram, and blessed him. And God said to him, ‘Your name is Jacob; no longer shall your name be called Jacob, but Israel shall be your name.’ So he called his name Israel.”
And although this is not technically the words “But God” – but it IS an “And God” where GOD SHOWED UP and a CHANGE OCCURRED…. which is the point of my “But God” studies.
Most of my life, I’ve considered myself not particularly pretty. I do not photograph well. My thin, light hair tends to “disappear”. And I’ve always struggled with my weight. Isaiah 53:2 speaks of Jesus as having “no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him”. So I guess that puts me in pretty good company. And I don’t speak particularly well. I tend to stammer even though I know the words I want to say. They just “get stuck”. And so I guess that also puts me in good company with Moses.
Even while writing this – I was thinking of what my name means – literally “stubborn”. Oh I know my parents didn’t mean anything bad by it. In fact, they literally named me after their favorite singer of the day – Connie Francis. I am “Connie Frances”. But over the totality of my life, I have worn the name meaning “stubborn” as almost a badge of honor.
BUT GOD… has used people and experiences in my life to say “Connie, you aren’t who you think you are. You are special and lovely in my eyes.”
First of all, God gave me a husband with eyes that are only for me. Yes, they may be "rose-colored glasses", but there isn’t a day that goes by where he doesn’t call me beautiful or some other compliment. His adoration of me gives me a glimpse into the Father’s love.
Then many years ago, I was waiting for a job interview with the Kodak, Co. in Findlay, Ohio. Some random guy walks out, crosses the lobby and was passing by me. But he was staring at me… A LOT! At first I thought maybe he knew me. But then the next thing I knew, he walked straight into the glass door. Knocked himself for a loop. This did a lot to boost my confidence. Every time I remember that and it makes me giggle.
There was another time, at a Bible Study where we broke up into groups of two unrelated people, and were asked to pray for the other person, and speak out what we thought God was saying about that other person. The young girl with me prayed and spoke out the words that “God thought I was beautiful”. When she said it, I really did hear God. She was a stranger to me. She had no way of knowing about me or my deep feelings on the subject – and I have held onto that word since that day.
More recently, I was watching a presidential speech. In his speech he said: “You are perfect exactly the way God made you”. Obviously he wasn’t speaking directly to me or even to my age group. But immediately I felt the Spirit say “that’s for you”, and tears came out of nowhere. God was telling to stop allowing the world and the devil to dictate who I am… to stop allowing them to define the narrative.
Then last year – I realized that God was calling out in me something else, something more. Calling me by a new name. So I stopped reading and just started meditating on the scripture. I asked the Holy Spirit to put into my heart what the Father was calling me.
I cannot prove to you what happened. I can’t say that I have evidence of this experience. I can only tell you that it did indeed happen. Just like Jacob: 1) God appeared … He showed up; 2) God blessed me; and 3) I “heard/felt” the word “Peace”.
AND GOD, just like that, changed my name from stubborn to peace.
Could I… little miss stubborn, really become PEACE?!?! I come from a looong line of worriers. Could this even become a generational change?
The Hebrew word for "peace" is "Shalom". "Shalom" does not only mean peace but also encompasses a broader concept of wholeness, well-being, and completeness; a state of being whole, complete, and without missing parts.
God has called me Beautiful… and God has called me Peace. I am no longer “stubborn”. And I don’t answer to that name any longer! He has changed my name.
Why do I tell you this story? Believe me, it’s not so you will “look at me”.
I tell you my story to let you know:
- You are not who others say you are.
- You are not even who YOU say you are.
- You ARE who the Father says you are! He MADE you exactly who you are... on purpose!
- He made you BY His will and FOR His pleasure. (Revelation 4:11).
- And He’s calling out in you the name He gave you before you were born… the name He is making you into.
Do NOT listen when the enemy tells you differently! Instead call out what God is calling out!
Whatever I am is not what I’ve done or see in myself. I am only what I am because of God and Him alone! I am not looking to be prideful or even engaging to others. No – instead – I want to only live up to what the Father has for me, how He sees me, and what He can do in and with me. It’s all between me and God. No one else.
Revelation 2:17: “Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it.”
Isaiah 43:1 “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.”
Isaiah 62:2 “… and you shall be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will give.”
You Are:
Beautiful. Beloved. Blessed. Child of God. Chosen.
Free. Friend. Forgiven. Known (also see).
Masterpiece. Redeemed. Saint. Salt & Light. Strong.
Ambassador. Royal Priesthood & Holy Nation.
Find More "Yield" Articles | Get Future "Yield" Delivered to Your Inbox
© 2026: Connie F. Dunmyer, All Rights Reserved.