More Than Knowing

Have you ever been getting ready in the morning, or laying your head on the pillow at night, and seemingly out of nowhere a voice of accusation comes to mind? You're brushing your teeth, thinking about all the things you need to do that day and this thought pops into your mind, "you're never going to amount to anything" or "no one really cares about you, they're just pretending." It takes the wind right out of your sails, it can even send you into a downward spiral for the rest of the day.

I have had many of these types of moments in my life, and over the last few years, I feel like I've been getting better at recognizing them for what they are, a distraction, and a lie. What I feel like God has been talking to me about this week though, is something I had never really considered, it has helped me so much, and I hope it helps you too.

When these thoughts come to mind, the best thing for us to do, is call them just what they are. They are a distraction, they are a lie, and to put it plainly, they are an attack. 1 Peter 5:8 says, Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. A harsh reality is, we have an enemy, and he doesn't fight fair. He waits for our guard to be down, and he knows just what kind of stuff will get our attention in all the wrong ways. So when we these distractions and attacks come, treat them with the time and respect they deserve... none.

This is the part I've been getting better at. When the voice comes, I don't accept it as truth, I don't dwell on it as important, I brush it to the side. If you haven't been able to do that yet, I encourage you, start taking these moments head on. Sometimes I even say it out loud, "that's a lie, many people love me. They prove it all the time with their words and actions." I will even reflect on moments of truth, moments of reality in my recent days and weeks that prove the accusation is a lie.

This is all great and good, but there is one more step that I am learning to try this week, and it's been awesome. I hope you find it as life changing as I have.

Even on days when I've done "well" in those moments, the truth is, the rest of the day I walk around with my head down a little. My perspective of myself is a little lower, and my tendency to believe an accusation or to take a criticism a little too seriously is way out of balance.

So here is the second part to fighting off these thoughts... walk through your day confident that this lie is simply a lie. Maybe a better way to put is, when these things are whispered to you, don't let any of it get on you! If it's a lie, then there is no reason to accept or receive any of it into your thoughts or perspective that day. Be aware of your conversations, be diligent to protect your thought life that day. This second part is where the real victory is found.

So if you've been fighting some mental battles, if you've been trying to shrug off some accusations, call them just what they are, a lie and a distraction. Then spend the rest of your day walking with confidence, not letting any of that garbage to get on you!