Do you put yourself down? Do you call yourself a fraud, a failure, fearful, forgotten, or any other negative word? We all have our own lies that we believe about ourselves. They come from past hurts, our own mistakes, and our deep insecurities. Every day we allow these lies to torment us and to discourage us. When the devil knocks on the door to remind us how pathetic we are, we quickly agree with him.

Why is it so much easier to believe the lies and discard the truth? When we hold onto the lies, there are downstream effects that contaminate our confidence, our relationships, our words, and our actions. The lies hold us hostage, stop us from fulfilling our purpose, and ultimately keep us from living the life that God called us to live.

I am tired of allowing these lies to hold me back. I am tired of beating myself up for small mishaps. I am tired of passing up opportunities because I believe I am not enough. Perhaps you are tired of the lies and their destruction too? It is time we took a stand and stopped allowing these lies (and ultimately the enemy) to taunt us.

These lies are not our true identity. God calls us forgiven and free. He calls us child and chosen. He calls us redeemed and righteous. Jesus paid a hefty price for you and for me. He did this so that we could live free.

John 10:10 sums it up. “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”

The enemy is using these lies to steal our joy, to kill our confidence, and to destroy our dreams. But we can’t sit by silently and allow him to have his way. Jesus gave us a solution in the very next sentence. He came that we may have life and have it abundantly. It is time we embraced the abundant life that Jesus is handing us. He is holding out this gift in the palm of His hand, inviting us to take it. But it is difficult for us to take hold of something when our hands are already clinging tightly to the lies. We have to let go of the lies. Then we can accept the life that Jesus provided for us. As a result, we will have joy in our hearts and our relationships will flourish. We will finally be able to step into our true identity and receive the gift that Jesus is offering.

© 2021 Bridget A. Thomas