Skip to main content

“This lie says you’re not qualified or capable.”

A thought by Kyle Idleman from his book, Don't Give Up (p. 126). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.)

Kyle says, “It’s interesting, and may be helpful to know, that research indicates that both men and women struggle with feelings of inadequacy, though in different ways. Women tend to blame themselves, assuming they don’t have what it takes. Men typically blame their circumstances, believing that someone or something else is at fault. We can all buy into the you-don’t-have-what-it-takes lie.

“This is an easy lie to believe because there are so many opportunities to compare ourselves nowadays. Everyone puts the best version of themselves on social media. I’m trying to get a petition started that changes the name of Facebook to Façade and Instagram to Mirage. Maybe then we wouldn’t look at these airbrushed versions of people’s lives and feel so insecure. We compare our normal lives with the highlights of an idealized version of other people’s lives, and we feel like we fall short. We start to think we don’t have what it takes.”

He later says, “This lie is tricky because there’s some truth in it. That’s how the best lies work. If a lie was wholly untrue, you’d recognize it and reject it. But there could be some truth to the idea that you don’t have what it takes—it’s just not the whole truth, and the whole truth is what sets us free. Here it is: With God, I have everything I need to do everything I need to do.

“Would you take a second and read that truth out loud?

“Read it aloud again. Stop and spend some time with it. Get to know it a little better. Because this truth is life-changing.

“Listen to how this liberating news is shared with us in God’s Word: ‘His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life’ (2 Pet. 1:3). ‘A godly life’ means more than simply a life not dominated by sin. It means God has a great plan for your life and, through his power, will give you everything you need to live it.

“So the next time you think you don’t have what it takes, reject the lie by saying, Well, even if that’s the case—I know who does have what it takes.

Kyle says, “Another one: ‘I can do all this through him who gives me strength (Phil. 4:13). There’s nothing you need to do that you can’t do. Through Jesus, it’s all possible. When you’re weak, it’s an opportunity to experience real strength.

“Let’s read the truth one more time: With God, I have everything I need to do everything I need to do. That truth will set you free!”

And it does, it really does.  So, will you believe the truth instead of the lie and not give up?  Will you!

Yes, yes!

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

“There’s a big difference between building a castle and building a kingdom.”

A thought by Bob Goff from his book, Everybody, Always: Becoming Love in a World Full of Setbacks and Difficult People ( p. 41). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.)   Have you ever built a sand castle or maybe a Lego castle?   Have you? Bob says, “We actually build castles all the time, out of our jobs and our families and the things we’ve purchased. Sometimes we even make them out of each other. Some of these castles are impressive too. Lots of people come to admire what we’ve built over the course of our lives and tell us what great castles we have. But Jesus told His friends we weren’t supposed to spend our lives building castles. He said He wanted us to build a kingdom, and there’s a big difference between building a castle and building a kingdom.” Bob goes on, “You see, castles have moats to keep creepy people out, but kingdoms have bridges to let everyone in. Castles have dungeons for people who ha...

“When you understand that life is a test, you realize that nothing is insignificant in your life.”

A thought by Rick Warren, (2012-10-23) from his book, The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? (Purpose Driven Life, The) (p. 57). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. To realize that from God’s perspective life is a test goes a long way in determining how you handle your life.   It is important to see that in testing your character is both developed and revealed.   Rick goes on to say that “even the smallest incident has significance for your character development. Every day is an important day, and every second is a growth opportunity to deepen your character, to demonstrate love, or to depend on God.” So there is a God purpose behind each situation in your life.   Even the bad ones are there to strengthen you and develop you.   You see those bad situations are really good ones because they are there for your good. I start each day with a reminder that God is good.   Not every situation that is going to come in my day is good but because G...

“What areas of my personality, background, and physical appearance am I struggling to accept?”

A thought by Rick Warren, (2012-10-23) from his book, The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? (Purpose Driven Life, The) (p. 35). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. Rick posed this question at the end of his chapter, You Are Not an Accident.   In this chapter he deals with the fact that God created you the way you are with a purpose.   In other words you are not an accident.   I am also reading the Apostle John’s view of Jesus and what He said and did while He was here on earth.   In the beginning of Chapter 9 there is a story about a blind man.   And the disciples who were with Him asked Him a good question, “Who sinned, this man or his parents that he was born blind? ”   Have you ever asked the same thing about something in you that you don’t like?   Like that characteristic is a curse or something.   Society has set a standard that is not a standard of God.   Remember, He created you and you are not an accident. Je...