A Lying Mind

READ: ROMANS 8:16-17, 28-39; EPHESIANS 2:1-10; 1 PETER 5:8-11

I can’t do this. I’m worthless. I’m a failure. I’ll never be enough.

Sometimes our minds can be our own worst enemy, telling us things that we know deep down aren’t true, yet we can’t help but believe them anyway. We may know the truth of what God says about us in our hearts, but the whispers keep coming back, drawing us in and tearing us apart.

How can we stop believing the lies when it seems like they’re all we hear? It’s simple really. To combat the lies that fill our minds every day, we can focus on God’s truth. Throughout our lives, we all struggle with self-esteem or self-doubt, so it’s important that we continually remind ourselves of who our Father says we are. Because, once we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we have a new identity. Through His death and resurrection, we are redeemed. All our sins have been forgiven, and we have been given a new life.

This is the truth about you: You are loved. You don’t have to be perfect; you’re already enough through Jesus. You are chosen. You are courageous; you don’t have to live in fear. You are uniquely made, created with a purpose. You are a child of God, and you are never alone.*

To help you remember what God says about you as you face the never-ending barrage of lies throughout your life, consider taking a piece of paper and writing down who God says you are. Maybe you need to remember some of what I’ve already mentioned in the list above. Or maybe the reminders you need are different, ones that I haven’t even touched on.

I suggest reading through Ephesians to begin learning the truth about your identity in Christ. Take your time and write down whatever you personally need to remember. Then tape that paper up somewhere you’ll see it every day. Read it aloud. Ponder it. And remember. Remind yourself daily of God’s truth, and the lying whispers will start to fade. • Rebekah Scott

• What are some lies the enemy often whispers in your mind? Can you think of any truths from God’s Word that counter those lies?

• Who are trusted Christians in your life who can help you find Bible verses and passages that reveal how God sees you and remind you of who you truly are?

*Psalm 139:1-16; Romans 8:16-17, 28-39; Ephesians 2:1-10; 2 Timothy 1:7; Hebrews 13:5

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! 1 John 3:1 (NIV)