1. My husband went to prom with a murderer.
2. I bungee jumped at Victoria Falls, Zambia
3. I received flying lessons as a wedding gift.
Two of these statements are true and one is not.* Ever play that game?
I think we play an unhealthy version of it in our heads every day. Often we just rehearse a lie over and over again as IF it were the truth.
What should we do instead of listening to the tape in our head that says “Not good enough. Not valuable. Uninvited. Unforgivable.”?
Paul gives us some advice in 2 Corinthians.
The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5
Here, “Stronghold” is like a castle with a mote, but I picture it kind of like a hologram that you can walk through – it isn’t real. The Greek word for stronghold, ochuróma can mean: “a prisoner locked by deception”. Satan is the father of lies and he may make his castle seem impregnable, but it’s not!
In another place I found this definition: “A stronghold is an influence by the enemy … The strength of the stronghold depends on how long and how much influence a person has allowed over themselves by listening to what the enemy is saying concerning any given situation in which the stronghold has taken root.”
We see the truth of this emphasized in Proverbs:
Carefully guard your thoughts because they are the source of true life. Prov. 4:23 CEV
Craig Groeschel says:**
So what can we do? Replace lies with Truth and then, practice rehearsing the Truth more than the lies.
As you speak Truth to yourself, you’ll grow in the strength of God and His thoughts about you – yay!
What if we rehearse the truth instead of the lie? What the mind repeats it retains, right?
Think of a negative phrase you have said aloud or thought to yourself that stems from a sense of shame rather than your identity in Christ as HIs beloved child.
Turn it upside down and say, in first person, present tense, an affirmation of your God-given value. For example:
I am unlovable. . . . I am infinitely loved.
I don’t have enough. . . . I have everything I need.
I am stupid. . . . I have the mind of Christ.
I am worthless. . . . I am precious in God’s eyes, I am honored, and God loves me.
So mine would be:
I am not good enough. I don’t add value… I am uniquely gifted by God & He has prepared good works in advance for me.
So say the positive truth aloud like it is true several time. Then rest silently in the awareness that this is you – a unique, gifted, equipped child of God, made in His image.
* Write the most common lie Satan uses to trip you up in the comments and I’ll tell you which one is the lie. 🙂
**This is adapted from Life Church. For more on this, watch “Words to Live By” by Craig Groeschel, or read this synopsis.
You are not smart enough!
Martha, I’m sorry that is the lie that bounces around in your head. Maybe some of these truths might help:
I am a masterpiece. (Ephesians 2:10)
I am mighty in His power. (Ephesians 6:10)
I am unashamed. (Romans 8:1)
The joy of the Lord is my strength. (Nehemiah 8:10)
Also, I haven’t bungee jumped at Victoria Falls (my husband did). The others are true 🙂
Oh Laura, regarding your statement that at times you don’t feel you are good enough or add value. I can relate. But, I want you to go to my caring bridge site and look at the bottom of posting form January 6th. You are very valued by me.
Oh Kim! Thank you so much for your kind encouragement! Although I have followed your challenging journey I hadn’t seen that. I’m so grateful the blog is a bright spot. Also, I want to check out the Earth Psalms you mention on your list!!
If they don’t have another, you can always come over for a visit to look at mine. Sending my very best for a week with much sunshine in it for you.