Why do you so easily embrace the lies

You have embraced certain lies from the enemy or from society throughout life experiences, environments, social circle, success, failures. As a Christian, it almost feels inappropriate to feel this way and to even admit it. Yet, many of us find ourselves in such position in different seasons of our lives.

During my prayer time today, I found myself asking God why is it so easy for us to embrace the lies from the enemy instead of the truth that He has set before us. The worst part is that we hold on to them so deeply, even though they are destroying us and preventing us from fully experiencing who we truly are and who God is. Those lies are so engrained in our subconscious mind that many times we even behave according to them without realizing it. Yet, we repeat many Bible verses over and over. We use them as inspirational quotes without embracing the truth of God’s that they speak.

Somewhere inside of you and I, we don’t fully accept those verses as our truth.

Lie #1: I don’t deserve to have great things and joy in this life.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Jeremiah 29:11

Life is not easy. There are trials and difficult moments, yet this promise of peace and not evil remains. But, when those challenging seasons come, we want to control everything as if He can’t have it all under control. We tend to lose hope, complain, and even be angry at Him or ourselves. We embrace the negative thoughts that we are undeserving of the good things of life, undeserving of love, of peace, of joy. At times, we go as far as to think that nothing good will ever happen to us.

When good things do happen, we don’t let ourselves enjoy the moment because of fear of losing it or because we are waiting for the next bad thing to happen. It is so easy to lose faith in the dark times because our focus is so much on the trial that we can’t hear or see what God is doing. So we accept defeat. We give up on the very things that we know God has called us to. At times give up on the good things we still have left and even sabotage those too.

But let us accept this truth. God’s plans for us are good. They are plans of peace, of joy, of abundant life, of health, of prosperity. All that is good.

Lies # 2: I am meant to remain fearful and anxious.

Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

Isaiah 41:10

Fear cripples many of us. It manifests in almost all facets of our life with or without our awareness of its presence. Yet, God is telling us to be not be afraid because He is with us. We are afraid of loving or receiving love; of success and failure; of being happy and of being too sad. Guarantees and uncertainty scare us. Afraid of taking chances to do something new. We don’t trust the person right to us. Asking for help and offering are equally scary. We reject our inner voice to follow that dream that seems too big for us. Running away from opportunities has become our norm and justifiable. We stay in our comfort zone even though it is slowly killing us.

But the truth is God is with you. You are never alone even if it may feel like it. He gives you strength every morning. His peace is with you.

Lies # 3: I am not good enough. I can’t do it.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me

Philippians 4:13

I CAN’T…I’M NOT TALENTED ENOUGH…THEY ARE BETTER THAN ME…I DON’T HAVE WHAT IT TAKES… I’M NOT SMART ENOUGH…I’M NOT RICH ENOUGH…I DON’T HAVE ENOUGH CONNECTION…I’m sure those sound familiar. Those thought patterns are so common and pervasive in our human experience that over time, we believe them and act accordingly. We self sabotage. Self diminish. Heck, we put ourselves down before someone else does in regular conversations. We continue to talk ourselves out of what we know to do. Out of what we are created and called for.

Meanwhile God is saying you can do what He calls you to do, not out of your own strength but with His strength through Christ.

Lies # 4: I am not valuable enough. I am not gifted enough.

You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.

Matthew 5:14

Many of us don’t value ourselves, our gifts and talents, regardless of how small or big, raw or refined that they may be. Unfortunately, society also put emphasis on certain gifts and talents more than others, such as musical talents, that for those of us without those we feel we don’t have anything of value. Yet being a joyful, a peaceful, a patient, a kind, or a generous person; an encourager, a counselor, a teacher, a thinker, a mediator and so many other characteristics that may not put you in the spotlight are strengths and assets for the world.

Truth is what you have to offer for the betterment of humanity is valuable because you are valuable. God saw it fit to place those potentials inside of you, because He qualified you regardless of your background, or life experiences, or journey. He works everything out for your good, your scars are just as valuable as your victories.

So I encourage you to be mindful of your words, of your actions. Be honest with yourself because you are already naked in front God and He still loves you just the same.

Have you truly embrace those famous verses as truth in your life?

Repeat these verses from a different place. A place of surrendering the deeply rooted lies that your experiences and environments have told you. The lies that you have believed and embraced more than you have believed and embraced the truth of God. A place of submission to the truth, so your mind can be renewed. So you can be transformed and love yourself and others the right way. Because the same love that made Christ sacrificed Himself is the same love that once you embrace the truth, you will muster the courage to follow the vision, the calling in your life because we are made to serve one another.