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Many of the therapy clients I work with are walking through life with lies that are haunting them.
The lies are hindering progress. Stifling self-worth. Impeding growth. Thwarting creativity. And preventing joy.
These lies often come from past hurt and pain. Other people who intentionally or even unintentionally left a hole in them. And that hole then became a core belief about themselves. A core belief that is a lie.
But if we’re speaking in broader terms. Spiritual terms. Those lies really came from the great deceiver. Whose ultimate goal is to separate us from the truth.
My Lie
“Am I enough?”
This is my lie that I have carried around in some form or another for as long as I can remember. And out of this little three-word-statement, all of my other doubts have flowed.
- Am I a good enough Christian/wife/mom/therapist?
- Am I smart enough?
- Am I pretty enough?
- Am I patient enough?
- Am I busy enough?
- Am I kind enough?
You get the idea.
This lie has led me to avoid situations, people, and opportunities over the years.
But more importantly, these lies were a roadblock to fully allowing God to love me. I didn’t feel like I was worthy of His love. Yet, I was able to recognize the faulty thinking when others came to me with the same concerns.
But Satan was so convincing.
I had been growing much stronger in my faith since a job change about two years about but starting this blog nine months ago seemed to speed up the process. It’s hard to not recognize the lies for what they are when they are in black and white, staring back at you from the computer screen.
And the most humbling part, I’m a therapist. A pretty good one by my understanding. But so often I wasn’t truly taking my own advice or doing the work that was benefiting my clients.
Be Aware of the Lies
The first step to acknowledging the lies is to recognize they are taking place.
That’s the first step in any 12-step program – admitting you have a problem. It’s really very true. No therapy program is going to be beneficial if you don’t believe you need to be there.
The same is true with recognizing lies that are bombarding you.
And even though I’m in a much better place, Satan will continually try to reel me back in with his lies if I’m not ready and prepared. As he will try with you, too.
[ctt template=”7″ link=”TH57b” via=”yes” ]Satan will continually try to reel me back in with his lies if I’m not ready and prepared. As he will try with you, too. This is my reminder to be vigilant. [/ctt]
For example, just a couple of weeks ago on Facebook, I was commenting on a wonderful post focusing on being spiritually victorious and being a fighter.
This was my response: “I am the opposite of scrappy! I am a smoother and a mediator. That’s been beneficial for me in tangible, real-life situations. (Hence why I’m a therapist.) But I’m not so great at being spiritually scrappy either. That is an area I’m currently focusing on. How to build up my armor and be prepared for battle!”
But here’s what the author of the post responded, “Girl, you are a fighter! Your words have been helpful to me, so I know you are!
I had been quick to fall back to one of my default doubts, “Am I a good enough Christian?”
It was a reminder for me to stay vigilant.
Fight the Lies with Truth
So in order to recognize the lies, we have to know the truth about who we are and Who loves us.
- Scripture: Immersing ourselves in scripture is so important. The bible is more than a book. It is the inspired word of God. There is no topic on earth not addressed in the bible. Because God knew and knows all that we are going through. The bible also allows us to get to know, really know God. His attributes and His love for us are a powerful offense against Satan’s lies.
- Identity in God: To fight the lies we have to know who God says we are and BELIEVE it! That can be the hardest part. And the aspect that takes the most time and work. Here are related posts and practical plans to help you do that:
- Find support people: One of the aspects of starting a blog I hadn’t expected was the online relationships and support I have developed. It has been such a blessing to be able to interact with a group of Christian-minded ladies, whose goal is to also glorify God and love people. It is so important that you have people around you who can speak truth to you when you need it. Support you during life’s hardships. And love you in spite of everything.
But God…Where the Story Changes
I also had the recent opportunity to preview and help launch a bible study with the focus on identifying and fighting against lies.
But God…Where the Story Changes is written by Rachael Smith, the owner of Oh Lord Help Us. It is a six-week Bible study walking you through the most common lies we struggle with but then she reveals the truth in scripture to fight Satan’s lies.
Coincidentally, the example I gave from above was Rachael replying back to me. Her heart is to speak the truth and provide encouragement in a way that makes me feel like we are old friends. That same heart shows through on every one of the pages in this bible study.
but God…Where the Story Changes
I pray you found this post beneficial to fight the lies with God’s truth through as many resources as it takes for you to believe your worth and His love for you.
God bless,
Melissa
P.S. Check out all of the beautiful sites I link up with.
This is great Melissa, you have said it all. I thank God for the internet, right inside my room in a far away country from you ,I have the privilege to read encouraging post such as this. May God increase your ministry for His own glory.
God bless
Thank you Sarah for your beautifully kind words! My prayer is indeed to glorify God in all that I do. Many prayers and blessings to you!
Pro-actively telling ourselves who we are in Christ helps us to heal in areas of self-worth, to become all that God desires us to be.
So very true Susan! God’s love for us and who He tells us we are never changes or alters. That’s such a beautiful relief! Thank you for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. God bless!
It was the original lie in the garden wasnt it? The snake suggested to Eve that she wasn’t enough. And she hasn’t felt good enough ever since.
Yes! Very true. That is the number one lie I hear from all of my female clients – not feeling enough. Thank you for providing your insights. God bless!
Melissa, as long as we walk in this weakened flesh we will battle those lies. I appreciate your honesty, because I would never have thought that you struggle with the “Am I enough,” issue. I have struggled with that all my life, but God has shown me that His truth is of utmost important when combatting the lies of the enemy. I know that I will continue to struggle, but I will keep turning to Him and His truth and in that lies will disappear. Thanks for posting! – Amy- http://stylingrannymama.com/
And all that really matters is that we continue to keep coming back to Him and His truth! God knows that we will continue to have struggles buy He is unwavering! Thank you for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. God bless!
Lies do keep us from being who God wants us to be or even keeping us bound tight in life.
It’s amazing when we speak God’s truth into these lies how they fall and we break free!
It is so amazing! He always helps us to break free when our focus is on Him and His word. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Julie! God bless!
Excellent post, Melissa! Thank you for sharing these important truths.
Thank you Julie! We all need these truths and reminders from time to time! God bless!
There is no topic on earth not addressed in the bible. Because God knew and knows all that we are going through. This speaks volumes to me and a need to read. Thank you for visiting Sunday Scripture Blessings. I had been thinking of abandoning my Sunday link up because of exactly what your topic is. I sometimes feel why am I sharing a Sunday Scripture when I don’t measure up, but you say it exactly. That is a lie from satan (not capitalized on purpose 🙂 ) I agree with the other lady, when I saw your visit. I am so amazed to being visited on my blog by one who is helpful to all. Your words were needed to read. Thank you. Sometimes I don’t like the internet, but then it is such a great place to meet and interact with others.
Peabea from Peabea Scribbles
I’m glad the post touched you and helped to give you perspective – You are important! God gave you your words and thoughts – only you can share them in the way He designed for you to! Don’t believe the lies of evil. Many blessings to you!