Embracing Accusations
I have to admit, in the heat of the moment or in the aftermath of a confrontation, I listen to the wrong voice. I have a dark, inner voice. A voice who is relentless, merciless. It tells me I’m unworthy, unlovable and unable. This inner voice accuses and screams so violently above the gentle whispers of my Heavenly Father, it becomes nearly impossible for me hear the Truth about myself.
And so, more often than I’d care to admit (and as recently as, well…now), I embrace the accusations and align myself with the lies about who I am. Once I reach this point, only the Truth of God’s word has the power to convince me I am not a complete and utter failure as a mom, a wife, and a believer.
One of my goals for 2011 has been to define myself by the word of God—and the Word of God ONLY. So, this morning—after a night of hearing and embracing lies—I extracted some precious gems from God’s word. Things I need to know about my identity in Christ.
And I just figured that if I needed to hear them, maybe there were one or two of you who needed to hear them, too.
1. When you feel like, despite your very best effort, you continue to fail…Remember, God accepts you because of His mercy, not according to your righteousness.
“But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.” (Titus 3:4-7)
“It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.” (I Corinthians 1:30)
2. When you feel alone, deserted and misunderstood by the people you love the most…Remember, Jesus was also deserted and misunderstood by his closest friends and family.
“Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.” (Matthew 26:56)
“Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat. When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.” (Mark 3:20-21)
He says He will be your Father, your defender.
“A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.” (Psalm 68:5)
He will be your Husband.
”For your Maker is your husband— the LORD Almighty is his name— the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth.” (Isaiah 54:5)
He will be your Friend
”I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.” (John 15:14-16)
God is on your side. And if He is on your side, it doesn’t really matter who isn’t.
”If God is for us, who can be against us? “ (Romans 8:31)
3. When you feel like you stink at keeping the balls in the air and your emotions in check at the same time…Remember, He never asked you to carry that weight. He, alone, is in control. He runs your universe. He controls your kingdoms. He holds you in His arms.
“He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.” (Isaiah 41:11)
“LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth.” (Isaiah 37:15-17)
4. When you feel overcome and overpowered by darkness…Remember, God has given you authority over the darkness. You don’t have to put up with that garbage.
“You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent.” (Psalm 91:13)
“In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” (Ephesians 6:16)
“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them [evil spirits that do not come from God], because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” (I John 4:4)
5.And finally, if God asks anything of you, He will fully strengthen and equip you to perform the task.
“I can do all this through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13)
“Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (Hebrews 13:20-21)
Q4U: What lies do you hear about your identity today? Maybe I can help you extract the Truth about who you are.
If you could see me now, I would be tap dancing (complete with top hat and wand) and singing, "She's here, she's here, Sandy IS HERE!" because I am so, so glad that you shared these words with Soli Deo Gloria!
Every time I sit down to draw a commissioned piece, the lies start pouring in — "Do you really think you can do this? What talent do you think you have? You will fail and the person will hate it. All those people that say they liked it were just lying." Yep. That's a lot of lies.
And I literally just press through them to get to the other side because I KNOW God has asked me to do this and I know He has given me just the right amount of talent and that He directs people to me that will be blessed by my art.
All of your points are so good — I have encountered them all at different points in my life. So, so good, my dear, sweet friend!
Sandy,
So glad you linked up today!
Different times and situations bring out different lies. The lies I've been hearing? "Really, you think you are called to do that? Much, much too big for you. Oh, and by the way, it's been done bigger and better than you can."
We all have lies that plague us, don't we? Nice meeting you.
I think we all hear that voice at one time or another. I know I do. Everytime I start to write something, everytime I start to hit the "post" button, I hear it telling me, mocking me that I'm no writer, I will make a fool of myself, that no one will be interested. But I've learned to smile and pick up the pen any way, to hit the post button anyway, because I know God has called me to this too, and if the words are only for Him, it is worth it.
He's even trying to talk to me through this comment, but here I go. . .SEND!;)
(visiting from Jen's place)
Sandy, your post is full of wisdom. In case the voices continue…you are a great mother and a great wife. The kids and I are blessed because of you. Love, Jon
Thank you for these suggestions. I have to admit that I need them now more than ever. I am at a point now where my kids are in college and I feel God calling me to step out in ministry but there are so many voices in my head. So many mixed signals and lies of failure and insecurity
Sandy, welcome to Soli Deo Gloria! Thank you for sharing your words with us, because I needed to read them.
What an incredible post. Thank you for sharing. Those lies kill me. "You're not good enough" I hear regularly. Great to remember how great our God is — thanks for bringing that to the forefront of my mind. LInking up at Tuesdays Unwrapped. Blessings.
Ahh I finally managed to plop down to my pc and soak up your words.
Awesome post. What an awesome goal to set and completly life changing!
We are all pretty similar in our struggles aren't we!
Thanks for outlining your precious jems =)
Why are the lies we tell ourselves so much easier to believe than God's truth? I guess because all that He planned for us to be will not be complete until Heaven. Many times I have to remind myself of His truths, like the ones you've listed here, until my thoughts are transformed and my heart renewed . . . Thanks for sharing this great post! Blessings!