Truth and Lies

Recently the concept of "The Lies We Believe" has become on the forefront of conversation with friends. It has come up more times then I can even count, and I have felt the Lord working in my heart to shed light on areas that I too struggle with this concept, that I just typically ignore or move past. 

Being a girl there are plenty of things that women believe about themselves that are destructive and painful. Self image, self-worth/value, perception of their roles in life, etc. We try our best to combat these lies with the powerful message found in Scripture that tells us that we have value, and that we are Children of the KING. Yet despite the powerful influence of being in the word, or having encouraging people in my life- with enough time around someone I start to obsess about what they obsess over, and I find myself breaking my confidence down into shreds of insecurity and doubt. It pains me to see my friends do this, but ever more when I catch myself having an unhealthy thought about who I am, or what my purpose is.

I have had some really intense conversations the past week and I am thankful that I am someone that can confront conflict, listen to people in their own struggle, be the sounding board…and that I’m challenged to open my heart in return. I think it is in those moments of vulnerability that I have been able to explore the lies that have eaten away at me that I haven’t even noticed. Whether it is the way that I view my body, my personality, my life status, or my future. The pressure I have put on myself in regards to employment is ridiculous, and I know that it is starting to paralyze me. The pressure I have put on myself to be put together or 100% happy is nonsensical and not productive, I am never going to be perfect or happy- I can only hope that I will be content in the Lord’s plan and calling on my life- for that will bring true happiness. I have put pressure on the way that I look, act, the way that I am perceived…and that has compromised the self-awareness that has been fostered by Christ in my life since I started walking with Him over 10 years ago!

Why do I let the lies seep in and cause such destruction?
How can I rise above them and see that there is no real purpose to believing other then what is true: I am a Child of God, I am loved so completely by Him? How can I work on a friendship when I feel that Satan is twisting words and intentions and nothing productive is being grown out of the different points of view? How can I love my friends better as to encourage them and live an example, so that their struggles do not become my own simply by osmosis?

I have no real answers, other then to keep loving. To love the friend that is struggling, to pray for their insecurity, to guard my own heart from it becoming part of me. To love the friend that feels strongly about something that isn't true and consequently has hurt me. To keep seeking out Scripture and Christ to use as the litmus test against the lies that Satan is trying desperately for us to buy into. It is my prayer that as I go through and past these lies that I will stay focused on what is true, and that I will have friends in my life to hold that truth accountable and sacred.