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Oh, the enemy has a way of messing with our thought life. One minute, we can be on top of the world walking with Jesus and feeling pretty confident, and the next minute, in the lowest valley asking ourselves why God doesn't love us.
So, what gives? Why do we keep falling into the same ole trap? Perhaps we simply need to know what the enemy's tactics are so we can shoot them down. Kind of like the iron dome Israel has in place.
I've compiled a list of five lies we often believe about ourselves. These thoughts do not come from God, but rather the one who wants to defeat and, ultimately, destroy you. Let's take a look and ready ourselves to fight back when these thoughts begin to take hold.
God doesn't love me. - This one is so ridiculous I hate to even type it, but for whatever reason, we all succumb to it at one point or another. Who told you that God doesn't love you? It wasn't God.
Matter of fact, He says, "...I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness (Jeremiah 31:3)." Let me ask you, what good Father would ever not love His children?
No, God loves you so much He gave His life so you would not have to be eternally separated from Him (John 3:16). That, my friend, is real love.
*Listen to this great song by Tauren Wells called He's Crazy About You.
I'll never be good enough. - Let me save you some time...you're absolutely right. You (and I) will never be good enough. That's the whole point. Jesus said in Mark 10:18, "...No one is good--except God alone." What He meant was we will never have enough "good" in us or be righteous enough, to save ourselves.
You and I may have all the degrees, all the accolades, all the awards, but if we don't have Jesus, we are nothing but lost. Now, you may have been thinking more on the lines of good enough to do x, y, or z. Well, can I just say that x, y, or z may not be God's will and plan for you. Why not seek Him out and ask Him to show you what, where, and when? He has created you with specific plans in mind, therefore, it is your responsibility to get to know Him and learn what that is.
God has forgotten me. - Oh, man. If I had a dollar for every time I thought or said this... Here's the truth, however. God has not forgotten about you. He can't. That is one of two things God cannot do. He cannot sin and He cannot forget about you.
The prophet Isaiah wrote what God said, "See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me." Could you or I ever forget an engraving in the palm of our hand? No! It would be a constant reminder.
Likewise, God has not forgotten you. You are continually on His mind. However, there are moments He allows us to wander without hearing His voice or feeling His presence. Why? Because it is through those moments our faith is strengthened when we press in and seek Him.
Listen, He hasn't forgotten you. At just the right time, He will answer that prayer in His way; He will illuminate your path; He will open that door. Be patient. Be still. Wait for Him.
I'm too old/too young/not qualified. - Stop. Again, who told you that? It wasn't God. You and I are never too old or too young; too poor or too rich; too busy or too uneducated to do what He has called us to do.
Take for example Jesus' disciples. They were a rag-tag group of men who probably would have never been chosen to do such important work. They were fishermen, a tax collector, a religious vigilante, a thief, etc. Not exactly disciple material.
Or what about what Paul told Timothy when he said, "Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity (1 Timothy 4:12).
Listen, where God has called, He will supply. This means that whatever it is He has for you to do, He will give you what you need (stamina, strength, courage, respect, a platform, wisdom, time, etc.) to get the job done. Never question God's ability to do miraculous things with broken material.
I've done too many bad things to be used by God. - Really? Is this the best you can give me? Well, I'm so thankful the Apostle Paul did not have that mindset.
Listen, God knows your past. He has been there every second of your existence and knows what you have done; every thought, every word, every action/activity, but the beauty of it all is that He paid your penalty on the cross. All those bad things were nailed to the tree, and if you repent (ask God to forgive you and be Lord of your life), then the Bible says, "as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us (Psalm 103:12)."
I have seen God take individuals who were totally depraved and completely change them. It's a beautiful thing. And even more beautiful...He uses that testimony to reach others. God is so good like that!
No More Excuses!
As you can see, the enemy loves to plant lies deep within our thoughts so we are ineffective for God. Don't listen to Him! When you begin to feel those old thoughts creeping up again, shoot them down with God's "Thus saith the Lord" words. Get into the Bible and allow Him to armor you up with His truth.
Today, let's change our mindset. Let's take every thought captive and allow Him to help us see the beauty of a life guided by Him and not the lies of the enemy.
Blessings,
Kristi