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!
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

“We believe it’s important to derive value from everything in our lives.”

A thought by Jon Tyson from his book, The Burden Is Light: Liberating Your Life from the Tyranny of Performance and Success (p. 118). The Crown Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) But is that all that is important? Jon says, “We want to realize an immediate return from whatever we invest in. I am prone to this way of thinking in so many areas of my life. ‘I paid a lot for that meal, yet the portions were not that big.’ ‘I invested two hours in that movie, and it was just okay.’   ‘I went to church, but the sermon wasn’t that profound.’ We believe it’s important to derive value from everything in our lives. But beauty doesn’t fit within that framework. When Mary anointed Jesus with oil, there was an immediate outcry against her extravagant generosity. ‘It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.’ (Mark 14:5) One gospel depicts the disciples crying, ‘Why this waste?...
Post a Comment
Read more

“Hurry and love are incompatible.”

A thought by John Mark Comer from his book, The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry (p. 23). The Crown Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) Wow, pretty strong thought isn’t it? John says, “All my worst moments as a father, a husband, and a pastor, even as a human being, are when I’m in a hurry—late for an appointment, behind on my unrealistic to-do list, trying to cram too much into my day. I ooze anger, tension, a critical nagging—the antitheses of love. If you don’t believe me, next time you’re trying to get your type B wife and three young, easily distracted children out of the house and you’re running late (a subject on which I have a wealth of experience), just pay attention to how you relate to them. Does it look and feel like love? Or is it far more in the vein of agitation, anger, a biting comment, a rough glare? Hurry and love are oil and water: they simply do not mix.” He goes on, “Hence, in the apostle P...
Post a Comment
Read more

"Lie 2: The more you worry about it, the better your odds of avoiding it."

A thought by Louie Giglio in his book,   Winning the War on Worry    (p. 5). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon to buy the book.) Here is another lie that the Enemy uses with us. And Louie says, "This is a tricky lie. Yes, we often have cause for concern and preparation. But the Enemy wants you to believe that if you worry or fret over a certain outcome long enough, you can keep something bad from happening." But this is so important to realize. He says, "The reality is worrying has never once prevented something negative from happening. Planning might. Prayer has. But worry never will." He continues, "The Enemy tells you that by worrying about a situation (or every situation) you can make your tomorrow better. Really, worry just robs you of today. Jesus implored us: 'I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body mor...
Post a Comment
Read more