De Yarrison explains how delving into God's truth can help us heal our unhealthy habits of mind.
I’ve been believing lies about myself. Actually, I’ve been choosing to believe lies about myself rather than choosing to believe the truth. And that choice has led me again and again to feel anxious, downhearted, self-critical, and even shameful.
I don’t think I am nuts, but doesn’t that sound like a nutty choice to make?! Let’s pull this apart some …
God’s Truth tells us, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). Yet, day in and day out we choose to believe the voice that says, “you’re too weak to quit … overeating, undereating, drinking, comparing, [insert other habitual behavior].” “You can’t …” “You’ll never …”
God’s Truth tells us, “I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty” (2 Corinthians 6:18). Yet we choose to believe the voice that says, “you are abandoned, rejected, fatherless.”
First, it is good to acknowledge, simply stated, that Truth is from God and lies are from the Liar. Each time I choose to allow a lie to impact my emotions or behavior, I am effectively using my free will to say no to God. Maybe God’s wrong about me. Maybe His Word doesn’t apply to me. When faced with a contradiction between God and myself, who would you say is right?
We can logic this out and come to the obvious conclusion that God knows more than I do. Logic doesn’t always prevail, however, in those moments of temptation. Falling into the temptation of believing the lie that I am rejected, unworthy, not strong enough… often becomes a habit. The habits of mind leads to habits of emotion and before I know it, I find myself waking up each morning already feeling anxious or worried, defensive or defeated.
We are people in need of mind renewal through a Truth encounter with the Lord! How do we do this?
Choosing Truth
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (James 4:7)
God did not give us a spirit of fear, but rather a spirit of power and of love and of a sound-mind. (2 Timothy 1:7)
We are each empowered with the very Spirit of God! It is so helpful and liberating to stand upon this Truth, and the reminders in the Scriptures above, even when I am not feeling it. That is trust in action. Our healing – real spiritual freedom - follows acts of our free will that are pro-God. It is not about circumstances, which come and go. It is about using my free will to choose God. I choose to believe God and Truth rather than relying on my feelings which often proceed from old lie-based beliefs. *
I have received much peace from declaring Truth out loud in difficult moments; moments when anxiety, worry or defensiveness are moving in quickly! Let us stand firm on the battlefield and resist the attempted attack … breathing deeply and proclaiming Truth:
Jesus, I believe that you are here with me.
Jesus, I believe that You love me.
Jesus, I believe that You have always wanted me and that You will never leave me.
Breathe deeply and proclaim Scripture, phrasing it in the first person:
God, Your hand is upon me. You have anointed me. (Isaiah 61:1)
You rejoice over me with singing. I rest in Your love (Zephaniah 3:17)
God, You have given me a spirit of power and of love and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7)
Lord, You want to see my face and hear my voice. To You my voice is sweet and my face is beautiful. (Song of Songs 2:14)
The Scriptures are filled with beautiful, calming truths about you and about me. The deceptions of the enemy will not stand in the face of God’s Truth!
The process of forming new habits of mind works the same way as forming any new habit. Repetition is key! Let’s schedule moments throughout our day to proclaim Truth. Getting intentional to re-focus my thoughts frequently onto God and away from lies or temptations builds those muscles until, before I know it, I find myself waking up each morning feeling peaceful and safe. The Truth has then truly set me free.
* Sometimes overcoming the lie-based beliefs requires healing around the events that may have led to those beliefs in the first place. In that case, you will never go wrong when choosing to believe God’s Truths, and deeper inner healing work may also be necessary.
Copyright 2021 De Yarrison
Image: Unsplash (2019)
About the Author
De Yarrison
De guides women along the journey to spiritual and emotional healing, through coaching, deliverance prayer, and healing retreats. At YouAreMadeNew.com, De walks alongside women as we grow, heal, and discover the abiding presence of Christ within our own hearts. De invites you to join the Catholic women’s community, Hope’s Garden, which she cofounded.
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