“If what we believe doesn’t reflect the truth, then what we feel doesn’t reflect reality.” ~ Dr. Neil Anderson
Many years ago a woman, I’ll call Joanna, came to me because of her struggle with anger. Her husband got the brunt of her rants. As we dug deeper, I learned her father and grandfather had abused her and passively let others take advantage of her. Her primary male role models, men who should have protected her, taught her men were not to be trusted.
By: MCAD Library
I knew Joanna’s husband. He was a good man. And her description of their conflicts confirmed it. I gently pointed out that her conclusion that all men were bad couldn’t be true. Jesus is male. My male husband and son are both good men. She also had a sweet son.
Her father and grandfather had been horrible role models. But living in a rainy climate for part of our lives doesn’t mean the whole world is wet. Having a bad experience doesn’t mean life stinks. Having a rotten father and grandfather doesn’t mean all men can’t be trusted.
Joanna was not so easily convinced. Everywhere she went she spotted raunchy behaving men. She’d go out with her friends and none of them saw the male jerk across the restaurant, but she noticed. These cads reinforced her erroneous view of men.
I explained to Joanna that the Bible says we are in a spiritual battle. Our spiritual enemy plants lies in our minds. He knows our weak spots. He kicks us where it hurts. He schemes to destroy us by reinforcing his lies.
When she saw how her past wounds had sensitized her in this area and how the enemy was using her injury to feed her lies, the truth began to dawn. Some men, like some women, were selfish and mean. But some were generous and kind. Her husband fell into the latter category. The truth set Joanna free from her displaced anger and healed her relationship with her husband.
What nagging thoughts sabotage your relationships or success? Jesus said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10, NASB). Believing lies, whether about our identity, our future, or someone else, destroys us.
Could you use some help identifying your misbeliefs and experiencing refreshing faith? My study Give Yourself a Break: Discover the Secrets to God’s Rest spotlights ten different areas that steal our rest and joy. This summer, we’re offering small groups for women on Monday and Tuesday evenings. Click here to learn more. Please note the address change for Monday nights.
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Blessings,
Debbie W. Wilson
Linking to: #WordswithWinter
I absolutely love this line Debbie: ” But living in a rainy climate for part of our lives doesn’t mean the whole world is wet.” It’s so true that we tend to judge people and things according to a standard we set as children and often don’t even realize that’s what we are doing!
Ann, you are right. Most of the time we don’t even know we are doing it! Wonderful to hear from you.
Joining you from #wordswithwinter.
Believing the Enemy’s lies can kill all the good things God wants for us – or blind us to them. It’s a great trick, keeping people in the darkness so they can’t see the beauty of the Light. Thank you for the encouraging reminder that we can overcome the lies.
You are exactly right, Angie. The truth sets us free! Thanks for visiting. I hope you will come back.
I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately Debbie. It’s easy to allow life experiences to become our truth. My truth was I had to keep everyone around me happy or they would reject me. Trying to accomplish an impossible task. Replacing the lie with truth has taken a long time, but it’s so worth it. Visiting from Me, Coffee, and Jesus. Blessings!
Deb, you are right. Our past can become our truth. Just last night I saw how something I’d experienced in my youth was affecting how I felt about something now. Seeing the truth cut the cords to my past, at least for this situation! Thanks so much for visiting. God bless.