My emotions fizzed like a sealed and shaken bottle of soda in the noon-day sun.
I’d swallowed lies as truth for too long, and three words broke the seal: “How are you?”
Mercy, how my throat ached while trying to cap my emotions. I prayed amiss when I asked God to help me get a grip.
She laid down her pencil and folded her hands, “Take your time.”
I released, “I know who God is, but who am I? I mean, I know I’m a wife, a mom, a daughter, a sister, a child of God, and all those things.”
Her words moved me forward, “Those words describe your relationship with others. What words describe you as a person?”
The words that came to mind were familiar. They were also unkind, and I didn’t want to share. At the same time, I wanted more than anything for them to not be true.
Choosing to trust God in that moment is one of the most memorable points on my journey toward healing. My chin quivered. “Weak. Stupid. Worthless. Failure.”
Her response flipped my world right side up, “Is that how God sees you?”
I didn’t believe God saw me the way I described. But I believed those words were true. The truth warred against the lies and the pressure was unbearable. The trouble was that I didn’t know how to discover the truth.
Sometimes we fall under the spell of actual words hurled at us. Sometimes we assume certain things are true about us based on how we are treated by others. Other times, comparison corrupts without one word directed our way. As followers of Christ, we are always in a battle against The Accuser, and words that wound are part of his arsenal.
My journey of untangling lies from truth and choosing to discover the me that God designed was long, hard, and the best thing that ever happened outside of salvation!
One thing helped me heal. I had a trusted sister-in-Christ who challenged me to seek God’s Word for what He says is true.
- The enemy said I was weak, but God says He gives me strength (Philippians 4:13).
- The enemy said I was worthless, but God says I am worth dying for (John 3:16).
- The enemy said I was stupid, but God says His wisdom is mine for the asking (James 1:5).
- The enemy said I was a failure, but God says in Christ I have victory (1 Corinthians 15.57).
The Holy Spirit still compels me to answer the question, “Is that truth?” when lies try to slip in.
I find that visual reminders are a great help, and my last birthday inspired an idea. The cover of a birthday card from my mom displayed the word daughter in silver glitter and spelled vertically. For each letter in daughter, a character trait was stated. For example: D for delightful, A for amazing, U for unique, etc. Reading that card reminded me of the journey toward the truth of what God says about me.
Here’s the challenge: Use your name as an acronym for truths from God’s Word. I used my name as an example.
Charla, in Christ you are:
Chosen (2 Thessalonians 2.13)
Healed (1 Peter 2.24)
Ambassador (2 Corinthians 5.20)
Redeemed (Ephesians 1.7-8)
Loved (Romans 8.35-39)
Alive (Ephesians 2.4-5)
Perhaps you need this reminder. Perhaps you know someone who needs to refute lies with truth. If so, get creative and gift them with a reminder of what God says about him/her.
Seek the truth, my friend. God promises the truth will set you free, and there are many who need The Opener to release bottled-up lies.
So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples,
John 8:31-32 (ESV)
and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
in the Quiver 
I love the acrostic idea. Makes me wish I had a longer first name! Maybe I can try it with my surname instead. 🙂 Wonderfully inspiring post Ms. Charla. Thank you ma’am.
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Lol. I know, right? Go for it! And thank you for your encouraging words :-).
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Charla, thank you for this reminder to view ourselves as God does, His loving creation.
I love the acronym idea, too!
God bless you.
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Bless you, Dawn. Yes, you are “His loving creation”!
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Love, love, love this and will be sure to share and ask my sweet daughters and daughters in law to read. Thank you, Charla.
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Shelley, thank you for your support. I couldn’t see how God could use my shambles of life those years ago, and I pray the loves of your life are filled with His love for them.
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Charla, this sentence is a powerful reminder: “As followers of Christ, we are always in a battle against The Accuser, and words that wound are part of his arsenal.” Your sentences that include what we think and what God says will help us use the sword of the Spirit to stand on God’s truth. I love the acrostic idea and this entire post. Thank you.
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Jeannie, I pray someone – even many – will take the truth of my post to heart and choose to stand firm in the truth of God’s Word and life. Thank you for your encouraging response. Keep slaying the lies with The Sword.
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Dear Charla, I enjoyed the lessons so much when you were teaching at EBC. You have a way of making every passage alive and so relevant.
This story is one of your best. As I meditate over it again, I will share it with my sister, in hopes it will answer some questions within us and to resolve some of our own difficulties and heal deep wounds. This message is so “on time”!
Thank you!
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Sharon, what a joy to see your name in my email inbox :), and thank you for your encouraging words. If anything good came from me, let’s praise God for His glorious work within my soul (He is still working on me).
Sharing this with your sister means more to me than you may know, and I pray for the healing and strength that is available to each of His children to cover, fill and restore all wounds. God’s timing is perfect for sure.
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What a wonderful reminder Charla. Thank you! Beautifully written!
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It’s good to see you here, and thank you for your encouraging words. Reminders of the Lord’s love and acceptance is always in season. Blessings to you 🙂
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