When you look in the mirror, what do you see? What comes to mind when you think about how others view you, your value, and your capacity to contribute something to the world?
I’ll never forget the day I sat at the edge of my bed, grabbed fistfuls of my pajamas, glared in the mirror and said, “I hate you! You’re worthless!” I ache to remember that moment now. I was young, broken, and didn’t know any better but to echo the enemy’s sentiments towards me. As a mother of grown sons, I can’t imagine what it must have felt like for my Heavenly Father to watch such a scene.
Most times it takes a long while for us to come to believe the beautiful truth about ourselves: that you and I are masterful works of art, created by God Himself for a distinct and holy purpose.
In order to believe such a life-giving truth, we need to identify the life-stealing lies embedded in our souls.
Recently on Susie Larson Live, Chip Ingram joined me to talk about his book, “Discover Your True Self: How to Silence the Lies of Your Past and Actually Experience Who God Says You Are.”
Chip writes:
“Seeing yourself as God sees you is essential to overcoming your deepest struggles, having healthy relationships, living in freedom, and fulfilling your life purpose. Yet most of us look at ourselves with warped mirrors, believing lies that lead to shame, guilt, fear, insecurity, and spiritual stagnation. The lies of our past keep us stuck, struggling with the same issues and habits for years. But that’s not how God sees us at all.”
Chip and his wife Theresa learned to renew their minds in the truth of God’s Word by using recipe cards that they reviewed every single day. Let me explain. On one side of the card they’d write down a misbelief that surfaced and that continually triggered them. For example:
Misbelief:
I must avoid failure at all costs. I must work harder and longer to be a success and prove I’m not a failure.
On the flip side, they’d write out a faith statement backed by scripture. Like this:
Truth:
People love me, are for me, and want me to live a life of joy, rhythm, rest, and fruitfulness in all areas of my life. I do not need to prove my worth through hard work or extraordinary productivity. I am accepted, loved, and greatly valued just for who I am.
Galatians 1:10
“Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.”
When you write down the lie and you face it head on, you see it for what it is: untrue! And when you rehearse a faith statement that is biblically true, it seeds the soil of your heart and in due time, produces a harvest of truth in your life.
Next time you feel triggered by anxiety or fear or insecurity, sit down with God and write out what you’re afraid of. Find a truth from God’s Word and stand on it. Read it, say it, pray it. In due time, you’ll learn to love who God made you to be, and to trust that He’s more than enough for you.
How you see yourself
