I’d be more attractive if I lost fifteen pounds. I’m a terrible wife because my house isn’t always clean like my neighbor’s. I’d be a better mom if I brought homemade treats to the party.
Sound familiar? We all have voices in our head that criticize, complain, and compare. Things that make us feel less important or less accomplished than other people.
Or maybe those voices sound more like this: I’ve done so many things wrong, there’s no hope to get it right. I can’t return to God after what I did. I’m not worthy of love. I’m not worthy of forgiveness.
It can be tempting to believe the lies we hear in our heads. They sound sensible. They sound objective. We might even convince ourselves they’re for our own good, to help us become better people.
When we’re focused on our perceived failures, we’re like hamsters in a wheel, spinning around and going nowhere. Our eyes move away from God as we pursue ways to build ourselves back up: start a diet, crash-clean the house, stay up all night baking. Or maybe it’s deeper. Maybe we do things to prove ourselves to God: go to church three times a week, give to charity, go on missions.
There’s nothing wrong about baking, cleaning, going to church, or doing missionarywork. They are all good things. But simply doing them doesn’t make us better people. They don’t make God love us anymore than He did before.
When we recognize those criticisms in our head as the lies they are, only then can we can hear the truth of God’s promises: I love you. I will care for you. I will never leave you or forsake you. You are my child. Nothing can ever separate you from My love.
The voice of the enemy tears down. The voice of Truth builds up. Which will you choose to listen to today?
Let’s Talk: How do you pick out the voice of Truth among all the noise?
Carla Laureano has held many job titles—professional marketer, small business consultant, and martial arts instructor—but writer is by far her favorite. She currently lives in Denver with her patient husband and two rambunctious sons, who know only that Mom’s work involves lots of coffee and talking to imaginary people.
Carla’s debut contemporary romance novel, Five Days in Skye, is available next month from David C Cook. You can connect with her at www.carlalaureano.com.
Thanks for sharing Carla!
Discerning the Voice of Truth amongst all the other voices in my head takes first a desire, then lining it up with Scripture. Most of the time for me, my “feelings” don’t line up with “fact”. That’s the time to trust God!
One of my favorite paraphrases: “Walk by faith, not by feeling!” Feelings definitely will steer you wrong. 🙂
Truth elevates, edifies, loves, encourages, uplifts, holds, heals, withstands, defends, sacrifices and restores. And so much more. There may be a sting from truth, but there is never poison. There might be sadness from truth, but not once will truth seek to crush. God is so good to teach us the difference.
I agree. There’s a difference between the sting of conviction and the crush of condemnation. But it can take some practice to distinguish between the two, don’t you think?
A cousin told me once that Satan has come to ‘kill, steal and destroy us’. This is a very real picture to me so that I know I have to keep as close to God as possible through reading His word, prayer..wear the armor of God.
That’s a great way to put it, Cherie! Thanks!
I love the idea that it’s a choice. We don’t have to be victims of the lie Satan tells us. We don’t have to believe them. We can fight back with the truth. It is a battle, and sometimes we lose. That’s okay; we can’t beat ourselves up. God has already won the war.
Amen, Lindsay! I think sometimes it’s hard for Christians, because we’re so acutely aware of how far we fall short. Of course those lies apply…right? But God doesn’t condemn. The price has been paid. 🙂
It’s only taken me 30 years to recognize the voice of lies and to not only listen to the Voice of Truth, but follow what the Voice is telling me. ALL of the negatives in the blog post have applied to me at one time or another – the what ifs, the if onlys, the should haves.
God knows that for this child it takes pulling me out of my daily environment, my daily busyness, and dropping me into a place of stillness. Kind of like God giving me a time out :-). But that was how He showed me the difference between the Voice of Truth and the lies. Now I know how to take myself to a place of stillness and give myself time to listen.
And I will look for your book, Carla! I am in love with Skye and visiting is on my bucket list. Can’t wait to read your story.
I’m still learning, Elizabeth. I have to remind myself that God is love, and love is patient, kind, and so forth. When those voices are less than, it’s a pretty sure bet they’re not from God. It’s sometimes difficult for me to be still and listen, though. I’m not a person naturally given to stillness. 🙂
And Skye is one of my favorite places on earth. I hope you get a chance to visit, and I hope you enjoy the book! Thank you for the kind words!
Wow, when this popped into my email, I was blindsided by the first one. That’s EXACTLY what happens to me. And as I looked at those words “rushes” and “stills” my heart stilled and I KNEW what I needed to do. Thank you!!!
Ane, I love how God works! I’ve been under a lot of stress and tight deadlines, and that photo came into my life right when I needed it. 🙂
We’re so prone to get into a works mentality, aren’t we? I have to remind myself that while I’m daily being transformed into His image, He loves me right now.
Amen, Susan! And I thank him for that, because I’d be in big trouble if His love were dependent on my worthiness.
Carla, what a beautiful post. And I have to ask, did you write that note and take a photo of it, because the handwriting is awesome. 🙂
The Voice of Truth doesn’t tear down but builds up. Even it it’s conviction it isn’t condemnation. And that’s what I’ve learned over time to listen to.
Thanks so much, Jessica. Such a good point, especially for those of us who like to do things “right.” (Type A, anyone?)
And I wish I could take credit for the note… it’s been making its rounds around social media lately. I especially love the dog-eared corner, as if it’s been read many many times. 🙂
As an author, I know the value of the Voice of Truth to my hero and heroine. The Voice of Truth helps my characters make the right choices and/or see themselves in the right way.
And in our lives, as Carla so beautifully points out today, God is the ultimate Voice of Truth. I’ve had to work long and hard to silence the noise or the other voices that want to supplant God’s voice. It takes concentration, deliberate choice — and sometimes it takes distance.
Great post, Carla.
Thanks for the lovely thoughts, Beth. I so agree!
And thanks for hosting me today, Katie!