 “(Fill-in-the-blank) is a social construct.”
With those words, a person can claim that reality itself is within their control. Whether you believe in God or not, it seems like many people believe they have the power of God. This "social construct" concept started in academic circles and has been fiercely pushed on social media by activists and believers in this ideology. I can see the appeal. If you don’t like your circumstances, why not just change who you are? If you want to gain attention or crave affirmation, change who you are to match what you think people want. For better or worse, people have done that (socially) throughout history. The problems begin when a person challenges reality. A male may truly believe they feel like and identify as a woman, but biologically, their DNA will always be male. A male can take feminine hormones and have surgery to alter their outward appearance, but their brain is still biologically and chemically male. That person’s bone and muscle structures are still intrinsically and biologically male, giving them strength and endurance advantages over biological females. There are many unique differences in the physiology of biological females as well. And their DNA will always be female. They are the only ones born with a uterus and the capability to bear and give birth to children, regardless of how they identify. They have different thought processes, sensitivities, and instincts than biological males. We are born the way we were created, the ways we developed in our mother’s womb. We can change our outward appearance and present an illusion to the whole world, but it doesn’t change the core of how we were made. It can’t change who and what we are biologically. There is no such thing as a non-binary person. Gender is not vague or fluid, it is binary. Androgyny is not a new thing but is just another illusion people use for various reasons. Biology declares the two genders, male and female, and science confirms it. There are many theories and opinions out there, but they are not supported by facts. The real problems we are facing concerning gender identity are mental health issues, internet-fueled social activism, and widespread FOMO (Feeling of Missing Out). I have genuine sympathy for people suffering with gender dysphoria. That is a very real mental health condition and can be caused by a variety of things ranging from trauma and abuse to chemical abnormalities and other medical reasons. In my opinion, gender dysphoria is far better treated through traditional mental health therapy than gender affirming care. If the individual dealing with gender dysphoria is having underlying mental trauma and issues, then green-lighting hormone therapy (which causes permanent sterility) and irreversible surgery will not help that individual; it will only hide those underlying problems behind an illusion. That isn’t just a very expensive band-aid. It could also leave the individual at higher risk for depression, self-harm, and suicidal behavior. It literally does more harm than good. However, it’s not hard to understand the motivation behind those offering gender-affirming care: There is considerable financial profit to be made. There is also the benefit of furthering a genderfluid ideology and the power/influence which comes with that. And for the average person, what is the motivation for changing gender identity? Acceptance? Affirmation? Wish fulfillment? How is that accomplished by avoiding and burying the identity a person was born with? Life isn’t fair. The most-deserving people don’t always win accolades or the job they wanted. The kindest people sometimes suffer abuse or neglect. Illness and cancer don’t play favorites; we’re all at-risk for something. People are born with disabilities or are disabled in accidents, violence and other ways. We are all born, and we will all die. That’s life. What matters is how we live. And how can we truly live if we don’t accept who we are, who we were born as? We shouldn’t run away from that. Each of us was born the way we were for a reason. We should be grateful we were born and that we still live. Our circumstances may be bad (or not), but as long as we’re alive, those circumstances will change, even if it takes a while. But if someone thinks they don’t have to adhere to realities such as biology, historical and scientific facts, or even morality itself, then what separates them from believing they’re a god? Nothing, really. Let’s break this down further: if our focus is on ourselves, we literally don’t focus on others as much. If we tune out reality, we live in our own world and invite people into it now and then. And then, we don’t have to listen to others, even if they are aware of things we’re not and have our best interests at heart. And if no one can tell us anything, we may as well be our own god. And quite frankly, believing you’re a god is delusional. But it doesn’t have to be that way. There are all kinds of help out there including psychological help. My advice, however, is that if someone claiming to offer help recommends “gender affirming care,” run in the opposite direction. Gender-affirming care is a very expensive placebo with lots of consequences down the road. Some people are already learning that the hard way as they discover that transitioning hasn’t given them what they were told it would. It hasn’t solved their problems; it’s added to them. Some are doing their best to de-transition, but they can never be the same as they were before. And if they realize later on that they want to have biological children, they won't be able to. Those who will be most harmed by gender-affirming care are children. And that’s because children and teens are not sufficiently informed or emotionally mature enough to make such life-altering and permanent decisions. I believe someone should be at least eighteen years old before making such choices. I also believe the entire gender-affirming care industry should be heavily regulated like any other industry. I’m a Christian, so I’m going to offer this advice, too. If you have questions about who or what you are -- if you feel confused or lost, reach out to God, either in your thoughts or out loud. Pray to Him in the name of Jesus Christ and ask for answers and clarity. Then wait on His answer. You won’t regret it. No matter how much we may want to have power over our lives like a god, we are not God. But God does have the answers to all we’re seeking. Trust Him to provide those answers. It’s okay to just be human and to let God be God.
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About the authorAllen Steadham is a nondenominational Christian. Happily interracially married since 1995 and the proud father of two sons and a daughter. He and his wife have been in the same Christian band since 1997. He plays electric bass, she plays strings, they both sing. It's all good. 
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