“I’m not good enough, no one cares about me, and no one wants to hear what I have to say.”

Everyone has one, a fable or story they’ve convinced themselves of, and it’s usually a lie. These eternal narratives develop early in life and most people aren’t able to identify their conception. Dr. Glen Pickering discusses the signs and symptoms of the fables and lies that can haunt us for decades.

We develop fables because, as children, we think in terms of black and white. As a result we draw unfounded conclusions based on past experiences. For instance, if someone is raised by an abusive father, they can develop a fallacy that all men are mean.

How do we know when we’re telling ourselves our fable?

“Any time you notice yourself having an extreme reaction.”

It doesn’t always have to be a reaction of anger, some react to their fable by completely shutting down and withdrawing.

“All of those are extreme responses to what is probably a very small event.”

Any time we see ourselves consistently overreacting to specific things in our lives, we can be sure it’s our fable at work, and we might want to investigate.

“I can be sure that I’m telling myself my fable, that story or conclusion I came up with when I was really little, because that’s why I’m reacting the way I’m reacting.”

How do we respond?

When we see our fable rising up within us, how do we react to our overreaction?

“It’s really, really important to remember that it is my fable, that’s the story I’m telling myself because otherwise we will over react to those situations that trigger our fable. And that can be very hurtful to us or other people.”

When we realize that we are being triggered in such a dramatic way, it’s time to take a step back.

“Just take a breath, because at that moment I’m not actually using my freedom in Christ. I’m not actually choosing how to handle the situation in front of me, I’m reacting to the thought I have in my head.”

Often, we overreact and spiral out of control saying and doing things we never would have before, all because of a lie.

Jesus Christ has already defeated the power of sin and death in your life. You are not bound to your fable, through the power of Christ you CAN overcome your fable.

Next time you feel yourself overreacting and you feel your fable rise up in you, take a deep breath, step back, and ask God to help you see truth.

Highlight: Are you lying to yourself?

Fables