The title of this blog and the book that inspired it is Lies Young Women Believe. It is true that we've set our sights on identifying lies, but the core of our message is actually truth. Truth is the only antivenin for the poison that lies pour in to our lives. And Christ is the ultimate truth speaker. He is able to deliver us from the bondage that is the result of believing lies. His Word is the remedy. By studying His Word, we are able to find freedom and to be truly set free. In our newsletter we promised to post seventeen truths to set you free here on the website. This is the beginning of the fulfillment of that promise. This week, we will examine five truths taken from God's Word that have the power to challenge, heal, and deliver you. Often our feelings are deceiving. We may feel alone, or unloved, or anxious, but the truth is that God is able to handle all of our emotions and circumstances. His Word provides the truth we need to combat lies in our lives. Let's take a look.
Truth #1 God is good.
Often, when we are having a bad day and things aren't heading in the direction we planned, we are tempted to believe that God is not good. This lie seems to be confirmed after just a few moments of watching the news or reading the newspaper. Bad things happen to God's people and it can be difficult to understand how a loving God would allow it. But the truth is that God is good. His Word makes this clear. Psalm 136:1 encourages us, "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good." You can absolutely trust that God is good. He has always been good. He will always be good. Despite our circumstances, He remains a good and loving God. He is able to provide good things for us, even when our world is spinning in a direction that makes us dizzy. He is the Giver of peace and comfort and wisdom. He gives us good and perfect gifts. When we are tempted to fall for the lie that He is not good, we can rest in this truth. Under what circumstances are you most tempted to entertain the idea that God is not a good God? Can you think of examples from your own life that prove that He is good and that He is the provider of good things?
Truth #2 It's not about me; it's about Him.
In addition to claiming the truth that God is good, even when things don't go our way, it is worth reminding ourselves that our will should not be the ultimate guider of our actions. The truth is that we should not be the primary focus of our lives and our circumstances. It is not about us, it is about Christ. Romans 11:36 states "For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever. Amen." He is the source of all things and our lives are to give Him glory. How is this different from the messages the World offers about the purpose of our lives? How does it change the way you view your circumstances to see them as tool to point toward Christ?
Truth #3 God loves me and wants me to have His best.
Are there times in your life when you feel far from God? Does it ever seem like He is hard to reach? Do you ever struggle with a pattern of sin that seems impossible to break? During those times, do you wonder if God really loves you? I do. I'm not sure that I would ever have the courage to say it out loud. After all, I am a Christian girl, involved in my church and active in ministry. But, there are times when I wonder if God really loves me. I am so small and He is so big. What's more, I mess up a lot more than I get things right and I am tempted to put God's supernatural love for me in a box that fits my human experiences. But, God's Word doesn't allow me to wonder. It clearly spells out God's love for me and His desire to give me His best. Romans 8:38-39 assures us that we cannot be separated from the love of God. "I am sure that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." 1 John 4:16-19 promises us that we can rely on God's love for us. "And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in the world we are like him. There is not fear in love but perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us." It certainly can be difficult to understand why God loves us, but the truth is that He does. How could embracing this truth change your life? Are there areas of struggle where you could find freedom if you were able stop doubting God's love for you?
Truth #4 God created me a masterpiece.
Do you have fat days? Are the times when you look in the mirror and wonder what God was thinking when he gave you that nose or that skin or that hair? Do you acknowledge that God did great work when he created sunsets and seashores, but secretly wonder what He was thinking when He crafted you? As girls we are especially prone to believe the lie that our appearance is flawed. We are prone to believing lies that we are ugly or fat or supposed to look like someone other than ourselves. But, these lies are shattered by God's Word. Psalm 139:13-14 says "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Did you catch it? The description of your creation includes words like fearfully and wonderfully. You were knit together by a loving God and He doesn't describe that event as a mistake or an accident. You are the wonderful work of a loving God. Do you know that? Do you know it full well? Why do you think that as young women we are so prone to struggling with the idea that how we look is wonderful and purposeful? What are the consequences of believing otherwise in your life?
Truth #5 God's grace is enough for me.
We have a limited view of our lives. As a result, it can be tempting to become overwhelmed by a problem we are facing and begin to feel like it is more than we can handle. But God's grace is able to cover all circumstances. He is able to provide all that we need to handle every situation. 2 Corinthians 12:9 assures us that God's grace is enough for us. "He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weakness, so that that the power of Christ may rest upon me." Is there a circumstance that you are facing right now that seems too big for you to handle? What is it? Are you willing to admit your weakness in this area so that God's grace can be perfected in your life? Are you able to rest in this promise or do you find it difficult to let go of your anxiety? Are there specific areas of struggle or bondage in your life that can be addressed by one of these five truths? Has seeing these truths helped you to expose an area of your life where you've been believing lies?