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Welcome Proverbs 31 Encouragement for Today devotion readers. If the rest of you haven’t read my devotion, click here to do so.
Mistaken identity. I do it all the time around here since we share a computer with our teens.
I think I am logged in as me, but I find I am cruising the Internet as someone else.
Spiritually it is also easy to have mistaken identity; to believe we are someone we are not. Satan’s biggest scheme is to make us doubt God and what He says to and about us. It is his oldest trick in the book.
Here are some ways to prevent identity theft by Satan; how to keep your mind centered on what God thinks about you.
Leave a comment and you may win a signed copy of Renee Swope’s book A Confident Heart.
5 Ways to Prevent Mistaken Identity
1. Read God’s Word. Though that sounds simplistic, I know the days I struggle with wrong thoughts about myself are the ones where it has been a few days since I cracked my Bible. Such tools as You Version on your smart phone or a small Bible that will fit in your purse can help you work reading the Bible into your busy schedule.
2. Find and replace. Just like the feature on your computer, you can find those destructive words you are tempted to believe about yourself and replace them with God’s truth. I use www.biblegateway.com to locate scriptures by searching key words.
If you think you are incapable of living a godly life because you just can’t seem to do it, find 2 Timothy 1:9 that says, “He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time”
If you feel you aren’t wanted or loved, find Colossians 3:12 that states, ”Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”
Each time Satan tries to whisper you aren’t good enough, let God shout that you are.
3. Don’t go it alone. Find a friend who will be available for you to call on those days when your thinking about yourself is askew. My friend Mary has talked me off the ledge and back down to reality on many days when I was tempted to take the leap head-first into wrong thinking.
4. Grab a pen. I find that getting alone and writing my thoughts to God in a journal or notebook helps me to slow down and think more clearly. Be honest. Tell Him your fears, failures and desires for change. Nothing you can say will surprise Him. He knows it all. And He loves you anyway.
5. Grab a book. Besides Renee’s great book listed above, here are a few of my favorite books that help me to remember who and whose I am:
~ Crazy Love by Francis Chan.
~ Self Talk, Soul Talk by Jennifer Rothschild.
~ My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers.
~ Lies Women Believe and the Truth That Sets Them Free by Nancy Leigh DeMoss.
Now, to be entered to win Renee’s book, leave a comment with the lie you are most tempted to believe about yourself. Don’t forget to scroll down to the other two giveaways this week: the beach-themed gift centered on the novel The Guest Book and yesterday’s Christmas in July giveaway. All winners announced tomorrow.
We’ll be going through this book in the Fall in our women’s group. Looking forward to it! Would love to win it!
UGH! Forgot to add the lie I’m most tempted to believe – had always been, you can’t really do anything significant for God’s glory, you have no special talents or abilities. Been struggling with that for a LONG time! (Love the font by the way!) ;o)
I enjoy your daily devotions and the five tips you just stated. The lie I am most tempted to believe is that I cannot make a difference in the lives of others, but I counter it with God’s Word that says “He who abides in me and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” John 15:8
I’m visiting your page from the P31 website today. Thanks for the simple reminders you posted here. You know my biggest challenge? Getting involved in my day and simply forgetting…forgetting Scripture, forgetting my identity in Christ, forgetting everything but how anxious/insecure I am feeling at that moment. I am looking forward to my day today as I put into practice some of the great ideas you have here
I am such a strong woman in so many ways, but have always battled with negative body image. I hate that this has been a part of me for 40 years, and want to break the cycle! I’m beginning with simply pushing the negative thoughts out and replacing it with Truth.
The lie I sometimes hear is the lie that I’m “failing” as a Christian, but I quickly remember that God has me on a journey, that He knows my heart and He wants me and not just what I do for Him.
Right on track this morning…. thanks for the reminder!
Thank you for this message today. It really resonated with me as I just started a new job and although they see much promise in me, I have been dealing with self-doubt as if I won’t live up to their expectations. This post has really spoken to me and I again thank you!
The lie I struggle with is feeling like there is no hope when I feel overwhelmed with daily mom/teacher/wife things… There is always hope!!!
I most often seem to believe that I don’t measure up to what a good mother, housewife, daughter, sister, friend etc should be & do.
Thanks for this great post!
I’m finding as I grow in Christ that there are many little lies I get hung up on but the one I hear the most is that “I don’t deserve it”… I often feel The sting and disappointment of not feeling deserving because I’m failing as a mom or I’ve let my husband down or disappointed my parent
I needed this SOoo much today. I have been struggling all week feeling I am unloved and unwanted, as my dad chosen to be out of contact for close to 7 years and my mom lives a very secluded life and doesn’t reach out often to me or my children.
Thank you for reminding me the lies of the enemy do not eclipse the love of the Father.
The lie I am most tempted to believe about myself is that I’m failing as a Christian (just as Lisa V. stated). This lie beckons me when I’m facing a struggle in my life, whether it be sickness, financial stress, confusion, exhaustion, etc. Or, simply just “being”. It’s sometimes difficult for me to do and believe what James 1:2-4 (NAS) states “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” When that lie tries to seep into my soul and root itself, it’s trying to poison and steal my hundred-fold harvest. I have to remind myself to put on the whole armor of God every morning and prepare myself for war. Oh, praise God for His grace and agape, for He always sees the very best in me…. Him!
I wanted to find a lovely, encouraging devotional for my birthday today and I just read yours for the first time.. I really love the list of truths you listed-Great for teen girls too! I can put the list in my phone to carry around as a reminder that I know who I am…I am His! I look forward to reading more of these. Great start to my day – Thank You!
I sometimes feel that I was never good enough in God’s eyes to have children. I know that’s not true, but when I see Women with kids not taking care of them, I question why I was never able to have children because I love kids and worked with them for years in church
Thank you, Karen, for those reminders. I have believed many lies, but one that keeps coming up is that I’m not worth anything to anyone. or that I’m just not good enough. I keep on giving love to people, only to be rejected, if I don’t measure up to their expectations. It is good to be reminded that God loves us, even when others hurt us with their words and actions. Staying in God’s Word, believing His truth and prayer help me through dark times.
I often lack confidence in many areas- typically comes in the form of “You aren’t good enough!” Thanks for the post!!
I have recently signed up for the P31 daily devotions and just love the daily insight and encouragement.. Your devotion today, and this expanded blog entry, really hits home with me. I have struggled my whole life with insecurities and a fear of loss/conflict. That weakness has led to chronic depression, which creates a vicious cycle of negative thinking and self-doubt. I’m blessed with a wonderful, forgiving, supportive husband and two beautiful, healthy daughters who have loved me through some very difficult times. Thanks for these reminders today, that God loves me and that my life does have purpose. I look forward to following your blog!
Wow…just wow! God is good ALL of the time. I desperately needed this today!
I’ve been struggling so much with this in the last 2 years. I’m usually a very upbeat person that loves to help and make others laugh. But lately my biggest struggle has been that “they are too busy to listen when I need to talk.”. Or “I give encouragement to everyone, where is my encouragement?”. It is not easy to fight them when you are busy yourself and dealing with teens
. Bu my God is bigger than all my struggles and I am victorious in Him. I constantly remind myself that He will never leave me nor forsake me. He is an awesome God tha loves us so much and we need to continue to tell and rebuke satan with, get thee behind me satan. God bless you and always remember how much God loves you. 
Like so many of the others, I struggle with the feelings of ‘I’m not doing a good enough job’……as a wife, mom, homeschool teacher……I REALLy struggle with the teaching part. Never mind that I already have one graduated from college & one starting her sophmore year at LU in just a few weeks. Would LOVE to win a copy of your book!!
So thrilled to find your website today, through Proverbs 31 which I found just last week. What I am learning and the Lord is reminding me is that “I can do all things (that He calls me to) through Christ who strengthens me”. Thank you for encouraging me this morning, and allowing God to speak through you xox
The lie I hear most often is “You are not worthy”. – to be a wife, mother, daughter. To teach women. To belong to God. To be a friend. Some of these I am better with than others, but it is still a process. Lysa T. has her new book coming out “Unglued” and something she said recently really hit home. “Imperfect Process”. making the decision to change doesn’t poof make you perfect. As long as I am making progress I am succeeding.
Self Doubt tells me I’ll never change, or my situation will never change. There is a song that I play in my head when I am struggling with self doubt, Hillsongs Do not fear.
Do not fear, for I have redeemed you
I have called you by name, you are Mine,
Thanks for your post!
The lie that Satan gets me with the most often is that I am not worthy enough to be loved. As soon as someone discovers the “real” me, they leave. The truth: It’s not about me. I am worthy because I am His. He knows me better than I know myself, and loves me anyway, because of who He is.
Thank you for this post. I mostly struggle with self doubt and feeling “unworthy”. Your post is a great reminder to combat these feelings with His truth!
I found your blog from proverbs 31 daily devotion. Like a few of the women above, I tend to believe the lie that I’m not a good enough mom, wife, housekeeper, etc. Reading blogs like this daily, is very encouraging & reminds me of the hope & encouragement the Word always gives! Thank you!
The lie I struggle with the most is believing I’m not good enough.
I recently became unemployed and feel like I cannot do anything because I am to old. I have decided to start my own business but I am afraid to do it because of so many failures in the past. With God’s grace and love I know that I can succeed at anything I want to do but sometimes that is hard to remember. I believe this book will help me to become confident and reach any goals I will set for myselft.
The lies I beleive are always attacking my worth. Im a single, homeschooling mom that batttles with the thoughts of -you can’t do this- you should do that- Feelings of failure kick in. Also, the lie that says I can’t relax without feeling guilt. Hate that! Thanks for the give-away!
That I’m not making a difference in the lives I’m privileged to touch.
Thank you for this – the lie I believe most is that I am not doing things “right” – I should be more like this person or that person. I have to constantly remind myself that God placed us all here for our own unique purpose and that if I’m trying to be like someone else thanim not doing my part in the bigger plan and could also be robbing someone of their purpose as well.
It’s always been easy to me to get in the rut of thinking I’m not good enough. And it’s funny, not haha, how many different layers and aspects of my life I allow myself to apply that belief to. My Daddy is holding my right hand daily however, and He whispers in my ear constantly the real truths; that He does stand by me proud and head held high, that He will never leave me and He always listens to me, and that He is so very in love with me.
I know I could not get through one second of one day without my Daddy.
Jenn
I enjoyed today’s devotion. I often hear my self talk say that nobody loves or cares for me. I will use the scriptures provided as a starting point. Thanks!
This was just what I needed this morning! I’ve been struggling a lot lately with the lie that I’m failing as a wife and mother.
I know I’m doing my best but I feel very overwhelmed sometimes. And I’m excited about a chance to win Renee’s book – I’ve been wanting it for a long time!! 
Thank you so much for this reality check into my true identity. Since my husband came back from Iraq life has been different, to say the least. He suffers with ptsd, has tbi and back trouble. He had always been a very happy and positive man but now he is in so much pain daily that he’s frustrated and angry most of the time and that’s when satan uses him most to attaGck me with lies, self-doubt. He tries to make me believe I am no good because I haven’t been able to help my husband get better. He tries to convince me that I know what is better for me instead of God. It has been a struggle but I am thankful that my husband’s situation has brought me closer to God.
Thank you for reminding me of my true identity. The lie that I most often get stuck on is believing that I can handle life’s demands and struggles on my own. Self-reliance and self-dependence get in the way of going to God 1st and asking Him to determine my path each day. I will re-read this list of truths each day to get in the habit of trusting my Father and not myself.
The lie I am most tempted to believe is that I’m not worthy of so many things. I suffer from an autoimmune disease and I’m trying so hard to get healthy by changing eating habits and exercising but it always seems that something is there to knock me of track. So I begin believing that I am not worthy and that the Lord wants me and needs me to be sick. This blog and the daily devotions truly hit home and I will carry the reminders with me for a long time!
I so look forward to the devotions everyday. I am sad to say that most days these are the only readings I get to daily to inspire me. I work a full-time job and a part-time job a couple of days a week and I am finishing my bacehlor’s degree. I use my busy life as an excuse that I don’t have time to study. The lie I most believe is that I am not good enought to let God work through me. Thank you for the list, I plan to work to incorporate these into my daily life. A Confident Heart will be added to my wish list as a study to start soon.
I am visiting fromProvebs 31 and I found your blog. Love your devotions.
Would love to win the book.
I’ve struggled with anxiety over the past 3 years and I blame that on falling prey to the lie that having a bad day means I have a bad life. I am trying desperately to regain my footing and seek God’s will for my life, learning to trust in him and believing that I am right where I need to be. I am seeking my identity in Christ, not in the lies of the world.
LOVED this devotion for today, just what I needed to hear to remind me not to buy into the enemy’s lies he likes to whisper in the ears of women to create doubt and self-negativity. Thank you for sharing your heart today!
Thank you for taking the time to speak out for women and helping us find hope through God’s word!! My main self-doubt is not believing God will not provide me a fullfilled future with a husband. My husband recently left me for someone else, and I’m terrified of not loving again or being loved again. But I am on a journey to be confident in who I am to God and who I am because of God! Again, thank you!!
I am always battling the enemy and his desire to make me believe the lie that I am unworthy of God’s love because I have been married 6 times, have 3 children, from different men, who live with their fathers, except for the oldest who is 25 and married. I refuse, by listening daily to God, to believe this lie! Thanks for allowing me the opportunity to share.
My exhusband spoke to me so often in a way that had me believing that I was unworthy of love or even friendship….I have been through a lot of growth but there are more days that I would like when those old feelings rear their ugly heads and I’m right back in that place where, without Christ, I wouldn’t feel able to walk through my days
Thanks so much for this great reminder of my identity in Christ. I, too struggle with thoughts of unworthiness and it paralyzes me at times……in my marriage, my spiritual life, my relationships to others, and even my physical life. I just found your blog today and have been so encouraged.
One of my biggest is ‘anything I do is futlie, why even bother doing it.’
I most struggle with feeling inadequate. I often feel like i don’t measure up and get discouraged.
I struggle with the lie that I am inadequate. That I am not enough whether it is pretty enough, successful enough, strong enough and even Christian enough. I spend so much time trying to prove to myself and others that I am. I know on my own I am nothing but with God I am the apple of His eye and there is nothing I can’t do or can’t be.
The lie I am often tempted to believe is that I am unworthy of love from people and many other lies. The Lord is working in my life and helping me by showing me His love and provisions. Thanks for sharing this blog!
Thank you so much for your encouragement this morning. I struggle with remembering who I am in Christ. I often feel like I’m unimportant or that I’m un-usable for God. My daughters’ are grown women and often encourage me and lift me up, but I continually seem to struggle with self-doubt. I really need these tools you’re suggesting and will definitely use them.
I try to be an encourager, but I struggle with not having anyone to encourage me. I need to remember, “I can do all things through Christ Who gives me strength.” HE encourages me!
Loved your devotion today. I wrote the truths in the front of my bible so that I can work on hiding those in my heart. I also cling alot to Philippians 4:8 to remind myself to focus on what God tells us to focus on and not on the lies of the world. Thank you so much for sharing what God gives you, it helps in so many ways!
God spoke straight through you to me this morning. When I first started to read I thought this isn’t for me this morning and then it hit me. This was exactly what I needed to hear. Too many times I feel not good enough that I am not following hard enough after God and I am currently going through some rough times financially and with my marriage. I need to remember that satan is having a hay day with this and to remember who God says I am.
Thank you God Bless
That I’m not a good enough wife, mom, you name it and I never will be. I’m also tempted to compare myself with others. I look at the lives other people and think, “They have it all together. What’s wrong with me? I’ll never be that good.”
Your devotion today was very timely for me. I needed the encouragement! Thanks!
Karen as i woke up this morning, i felt so sad. I was heartbroken.Tears started rolling down my face as i go to God in prayer”, Father i need u this morning. I am battling hurt and failure today. Karen, this was heavy today, mre than ever on me, Why? Needing to find peace within myself. I read a while, knowing Gods word wud forfill me, but the enemy wasnt letten me.Why? God i need u, please help me. Not being able to escape the bad feelings and lies the enemy was driving in me, i decided to log into fb. As im srolling down, i come upon someone that posted u and yur blog. Automatically, sumthing hit me, I heard a voice say, “Diane this is for u, i have sent her here just for u today, a friend, i know wat u r going thru, how you are feeling this morning, read and know that i am with u and will be with u thru it all”! Sign yur Father, God! As i read the tears flowed so much. I couldnt contane myself. I cried out to God! “”Thank u , thank u”!! Karen , i wantd to say thank u for being here for me.It was no accident that i met you. God lead me to u and for that im forever greatful. I know this should be a comment , but i didnt know how to start and even end. I really enjoy reading this blog. I am really eager to read mre. This is wat i battle : The lie the enemy is telling me is”, you are nothing and will never be anything. No one cares about you. You have nothing, you cant work, etc. Karen i have dreams and i know God loves me, but i just cant seem to escape from this feeling of myself. Though i try and not let it get to me, its still inside me reminding me everyday. I became disabled in 2004, i know this is wat has gotten me to this point. I have always done for myself,and nw i cant work, have had so many surgerys, thank God for bringing me through them all. Just hate im this way. Now i feel lost, alone, sad, hurt, angry, selfish, confused! I had so much i wanted to do, and i feel it will never be. I feel like a failure, to my kids, family, myself, and most of all God! Even though i go thru this, i will never stop having faith that my life will have meaning, and i will make a difference, that sumwhere ,someone needed me, and i was there. Im so sorry for writing so much, but i couldnt stop. Thank u for sharing this with me, I need to take my IDENTITY BACK!!Thank u so much, cant wait to read the rest of yur posts!! God bless u Karen!!
Oh Diane, I’m so glad God is so good. He knew just what you needed today. And He sent Karen’s blog your way. All I can say is, yes, you are believing lies. You are a person of great worth…you are needed by your family. Even if you can’t do, you can be their encourager, source of great love, example of a godly woman. God loves you just as you are, more than you can fathom. Receive!
Love your devotion this morning. The lie I most struggle with is “you’ve failed before, you’ll do it again…you’re never going to do it.” My past failures always creep back into my thoughts and make me feel like a failure. I just can’t seem to get past them. I know God has forgiven me, but I don’t know how to forgive myself. Thank you again for your words of encouragement. May God bless you!
Definitely struggle with feeling like I don’t measure up/I’m not good enough. Been feeling that way my whole life. I’m very grateful for your list in today’s post – this is a wonderful jumping off point for me to refocus on God’s truth for me. Thank you!
The lie that I am worthless and not loved.
Yesterday felt really “yucky” about everything, today I feel a little differently. I do forget “who I am in Christ” and replace it with my own inadequate thoughts, I need to do the reverse. I need to start being thankful for who I am and stop being so down on myself. Tks.
Thank you so much for this devotion this morning. It was exactly what I needed. Like many women (yes I am a female don’t let my name fool you : – ) ) I struggle with the lie that I have to be “perfect” – the perfect mom, the perfect wife, the perfect teacher, etc. but I know that God loves me just the way I am and my family does too.
Thank you so much for your post today! I often feel that I am not well liked and have no special gifts to offer. Negeative self-talk and doubt such as this often creep into my day and hang around influencing my behavior towards myself and others. I have seen the results of these lies in my relationships. Your post helped me remember who I am in God’s eyes. And although self-doubt and negeatave thinking is always lurking and seeking to destroy, God’s is always loving and seeking to save. I know that He can mend, repair, and lead me to the relationships that he desires me to have if I trust in him. Oh, how easily I forget! He has all the answers. There is no truth apart from Him! Thank you so much for helping me remember to dig deep into God’s word!
I easily believe the lie that I am stupid. And I AM NOT!
Oh my goodness this hit so close to home that I think it actually knocked me in my forehead….I struggle daily…we all do. For if we don’t have struggles then we can not grow stronger and closer to God. The lie that I deal with the most is that I am not perfect. We are so struggling financially that I pretend all is well and not let others know what is happening because I dont’ want others to feel sorry for me. I put on my happy face and pretend to be someone and thing that I am not. I believe that this valley will someday rise to be a mountain and I will look back and say really I made it…but until then this valley is deep and dark…I know that God is there and will hold my hand all the way.
Your devotions and comments always brighten my day…thank you for who you are and what you do for me and others….You are a blessing!
Smiles & Blessings Abound, Robin
A big area for me is work. I went back yesterday after a long vacation. I was in a meeting and found myself getting caught up in a negative discussion with my co workers. I said something that wasn’t Christlike. I caught myself right away and repented. I find that in the work environment I tend to “forget” my identity in Christ and get caught up in the “do what you gotta do to get the job done, dog eat dog” world. Thank you for reminding me that my identity is not in my career but its in Christ and I need to be the example in my workplace that God is in control and I need to lift the challenges up to him and to remember:
I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
-Philippians 4:13
And looking at them Jesus said to them, “With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
-Matthew 19:26
The lie that always gets me is that I fail at everything I attempt to do. Why would this time be any different? I hate this lie, but can’t seem to get beyond it. I bought your book when it first came out, but can’t even bring myself to finish it. I am thinking it would be a good Bible Study though to share with some special ladies. Thanks for all you do!
I LOVE todays devotion, I am soooo thankful he wants me to go to Him just as I am, not to be someone else.
thankyou
Loved your blog. It spoke volumes to me. I have been unemployed for almost 2 years. I have a masters degree & over 20 years of experience in my field. I let self-doubt & inadequancy reside in my thoughts all too oftern. I know that Satan is having a party with my self-talk and today your blog reminded me that yes, I am a daughter of the most high God who walks every step with me and has each of my days in His mighty hand. Thank you so much for sharing your message today.
Lie I believe is that someone is always prettier than me. But the truth is, the only thing that matters is that I am fearfully and wonderfully made by our Creator, and that’s what makes me beautiful.
I loved your post today, very very encouraging!! I do have a lot of self doubt that sinks in daily. I work full-time and also am a full-time parent. I think the lie that sets in the most is that I’m not as good as everyone else, I’m not doing enough……. Definitely hard not to look around and compare yourself to others!!
The biggest issue I’m struggling with right now is that I feel I’ll never stay organized. My house always seems to have piles throughout it, even though I work at keeping them at bay. I sometimes feel like they multiply overnight! When I go to other people’s houses it looks like they are so much more organized than me. I think a serious deep cleaning and decluttering marathon is in order!
The biggest lie that I seem to believe is that I will never change–more specifically, that my circumstances will never change. I am in a really frustrating situation right now and I’m waiting for my prayers to be answered but sometimes I’m not very patient.
The biggest lie that I struggle against comes in the voice of my ex-husband who called me a “fat, lazy, b****.”
The best promise that I claim is Isaiah 43:1b “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine!” Our Abba never calls me anything but loved and created for a purpose and His! Praise Him, Sister-chicks!
I would love to win Renee’s book for my friend who worries about her grown children alot and is very negative in her thinking.
I struggle each day with “I am not good enough.” As a cronic perfectionist, I am my worst critic. I have to remind myself that God made me so I am “beautifully and wonderfully made.” He made me exactly the way I was intended to be made. The areas that I need help in are so I can be blessed by the AMAZING people He put in my life and so I can bless them.
Having been rejected by my spouse, it’s easy to believe the lie that I’m lacking in so many ways. I can go from high to low in a very short period of time. God’s word and His love is what brings me back up – I just have to remember to turn to Him first to set me back on my feet. And encouraging friends help tremendously.
The lie that stays with me… because of my past God surely does not love me. I have a difficult time with the Father / daughter relationship. Never having one, I long for a Father who will love me unconditionally – I need to cast the lie out of my mind and BELIEVE that God is my Father and that no matter how many poor choices I have made, HE still and will continue to Love me unconditionally. I would like to learn how to be loved and how to love unconditionally towards my family.
This was so good for me. I have a terrible habit of putting myself down, berating myself and calling myself stupid when i can’t seem to get something right. This was so helpful and encouraging with some good Prevention Steps. Thank you! I would love to win the book A Confidant Heart. I just went through the study with Renee but i only have the ebook copy and for a study it is so much better to have the actual book in your hands. I plan on going through the study again because it is very good and because i need to.
HI. This was a great message for me today. I know that we are supposed to put one lie that we tend to believe about ourselves but I have to that are yelling at me and have been for a while. One is that I am not good enough or smart enough to pass my states boards for nursing (even though I was a 4.0 student). The second, which has been troubling me this year, is that I am too new in my faith to contribute to conversations or help open someone eyes and that I don’t understand the bible enough to go to a bible study and that I will never understand enough to be a women leading others through ministry(which I have been wanting to do ever since I found my way back to God and my faith). Thank you for your up lifting message today. I printed it off and there is a copy on my bathroom mirror, by the coffee maker and in my bible. Thanks again. Diane
Thank you, Karen, for your words of truth. My lie: I’m a horrible mom.
Thanks so much! Just the reminder I needed.
Because of my past – I did not think I was loveable! I know as a Child of the King! I am loved but on a bad day those thoughts can slip back in. May the Lord Bless YOU daily as you help lead others to know him more.
I love your analogy of “mistaken identity”! It is so true and I appreciate your reminders of prevention. One book that has helped me so much in this area is Robert McGee’s The Search for Significance. For often the lies that hang us up are those that we learned in our past. Yet through God, His word and Spirit, we can replace our mistaken identity with our true identity in Christ: I am I am deeply loved,
completely forgiven, fully pleasing, totally accepted by God, and absolutely complete in Christ!
I’d love to win Renee Swope’s book A Confident Heart. Have a couple lady friends in mind for a small group study.
Blessings,
Becca
I often struggle with feeling that I’m not good enough or not mature enough in my faith and frequently have a fear of being or saying something “stupid” when participating in religious discussions, so I appreciate your words today. It’s a growing point for me that I work on every day.
Lies…..I am not worthy. I often find myself comparing myself to others…..and fall short. Thank you for your post today.
This was such a “God breathed” message for me today! I’ve just recently signed up to recieve the
Proverbs 31 Encouragement for Today devotions and I LOVE them! I have trouble when the devil whispers to me telling me that I’m not as good as ____________ because I don’t know my scriptures well enough. I have trouble just opening my heart and praying as the Spirit leads me to a group of people without feeling that they are judging me for my simple mind.
Thinking I can do anything without asking for God’s help, even baking a cake.
My husband of 19 yrs filed for divorce and always told me I was a mean and hateful
bitch and would be all alone one day.
My youngest is living with him and his girlfriend. I am not alone, I have the Lord with me which makes me new, caring and
a better person. Thank You Lord for not forsaken me
I’ll never change.
Oh my! My fear is always that I am not enough to get the job done. There isn’t enough time, resources, money or ME to get everything done!!! I know it is a lie from the enemy!!! But it still haunts me!! Thanks for ALL YOU DO!!
The lie I can’t run far enough away from is that I’m not accepted. When I try to do things in ministry, homeschooling, be a good wife, work as if I’m working for the Lord, etc. there is this voice in my head that tells me I’m not good. I’m not needed. I’m not liked. I know that these things are lies, but I fall for it every time. This lie isolates me. Which is exactly what satan wants. Thank you for your encouragement today. And you know what? Who cares if I’m not accepted anywhere else in the world! God says that I am not only accepted, but worth dying for!
the biggest lie I deal with is that I’m a failure and I am so overwhelmed that I feel like I just can’t make it – feeling like that today – then I read your post and guess what – it has been a couple of days since I opened my Bible – I will remendy that when I get home from work today
I grew up believing I wasn’t good enough (learning disabilities & physical limitations – couldn’t compete with my sister). Then my ex convinced me I was worthless & would never amount to anything. (Apparently getting a master’s degree & fully supporting myself until I got married wasn’t an accomlishment). Got laid off 3 years ago & moved in with my Daddy & then last couple years been pretty much home bound. Really struggling to believe God instead of false beliefs/thoughts.
Oh for so long I struggled with feeling unloved and unworthy…I can still go there, but I have learned to turn to friends in Christ who can remind me of their love and God’s everlasting love. And His Word is such a lifeline..always!
I’ll never get out home in order.
It’s funny, I was just thinking in the shower earlier (where most of my thinking seem to happen, lol) how we as women have been fed so many lies and we need to replace them with the truths from God’s word. I know I have heard so many of them my whole life. From the comments here, it seems one of the most common lie is the “you’re not good enough”. This message has been conveyed verbally and in other means over and over it has become like a broken record in my head.
God is truly amazing. Just last night I was seeking direction. My lie is a deep root about not being smart enough. Based on these posts, it looks like this is a very common one. I thought it was just me. I’ve just been struggling with finding my way back into the work-force and feeling like I don’t have direction because I’m not smart enough to be in my current role. Thank you for your devotion and reminder of where I go find my ‘compass’.
Hmm, probably inadequacy resulting from comparisons.
The biggest lie I face right now is “Absolutely God can do it….but not for you, He won’t do it for you.”
Right now we are praying healing for both our daughters, the older one has a cardiology appt in August, and in that appointment, if there is not an improvement, they will likely schedule open heart surgery for a second time. So the lie hurts tremendously right now.
Definitely struggle with feeling unworthy of God’s love and favor.
The lie I believe is that I’m a failure as a wife and mother. It seems that these two areas where I strive to do my best are the enemy’s best source of discouragement for me.
What a great thoughts for today! I know God knows our hearts desire and yet EVERY day I am amazed at how He brings to each of us ‘just what we need’ for the day, whether through His word or through others. As I scan down all of these replies today, I can relate to so many. My biggest struggle right now is feeling like I fail God day after day. I am reading the devotional, “Jesus Calling” (that a friend gave to me this year), EVERY day the words seem to have been written Just for ME! I am just blown away by how HE DOES THAT!!
But He reminds me that the MOST important thing I can do EVERY day is to SPEND TIME WITH HIM. And if I am obedient to that and allow Him to orchestrate my day, it is typically much better. God is Good All the Time!
I struggle with thinking that I’m not doing enough to serve God and with my body image, including lots of spider veins.
the lie i most believe about myself is that i am not enough
The lie I believe everyday is “I will never be good enough smart enough pretty enough secure in who i am confident in what im worth ………..I have little to bring any relationship and relationships are not safe anyway; they just bring hurt and betrayal.”
For so long I thought God couldn’t use me because of my past. Then after years of counselling, Bible study, Sunday School, attending church regularly,and lots of prayer, I knew God would use me. The problem is that it doesn’t take much for me to hear the old voices and they come when least expected. Your tips are wonderful. I’m going to copy them and put them where I see them everyday. Thank you and blessings.
I struggle with the thought that I don’t know enought and I’m not smart enought. I have to get with God to feel good about myself and not compare myself to others. When I do, I’m always the one on the bottom, others are always better than me. You had 5 very good things to do and the book sound wonderful.
is exactly what I needed to hear today. The lie that I most am tempted to believe is that I am not smart enough, not capable enough that I don’t measure up to other people’s expectations, and that love is conditional. I know that God loves me unconditionally. It just would be nice to feel it from the people who I love.
I have always been a confident person, in my abilities and physical self. Until I had a baby. I knew it would change things, but i never thought i would find myself feeling insecure about my body being a situational songe mom with a deployed husband, i dont have the time every day to work out and there are days when i struggle with that big time i hear satan telling me I’m too lazy and fat, when in reality i know im perfectly healthy. We just moved to a totally new location with the military, and I sometimes fall into the way of thinking that possibly new friends are judging me by my weight. (also know that I am really not that big). On top of that, I sometimes struggle with the fact that I gave up a nursing career to be a stay at home mom and wife to the military, when I see my friends and brother/his wife going back and furthering their education, there comes Satan again telling me I’m not good enough. Knowing full well this is exactly my calling and where I’m suppose to be. Thank you so much for your post and devotional today. It came at a perfect time (God is amazing like that!) to remind me of who I am in Christ!
I love how your devotion ties in with my reading of Self Talk, Soul Talk. The lie I struggle with most is that I’m not loveable or good enough for others.
I have found myself lately believing that I am alone and that is how I am suppose to be. I have been struggling with reading my bible daily, praying and wanting to email the ladies in the church a daily bible verse. I feel inadequate both at home and at work.
I struggle with believing that I am not good enough…this effects everything from mental to physical to emotional. Also believe the lie of shoulda, woulda, coulda. A great book on the subject is JEnnifer Rothschild’s book Me, Myself and Lies. Opened my eyes to a lot of lies that I didn’t even know I was believing because they had been part of my life for so long.
To read so many of these posts….so many of us feeling the same way: inadequate, failures, fearful, .May I offer another resource that has been a profound blessing to me? Dr. Daniel Amen has written several FANTASTIC books on the health of the brain…and your thoughts and your physical body…… all of which affects your sweet soul. He is also a beloved brother in Christ. And Bill Cosby endorses him. Now there you go!!!! The library has all of his books, but the two that wowed me where” Healing the Hardware of The Soul”, and “Change Your Brain, Change Your Body”. No quackery here, solid research, doable advice, and the sweet blessing of Dr. Amen (LOVE his name!!) being a believer in Jesus Christ….a priceless resource . Come on Ladies….We are NEEDED in this sad world. Love each of you…praying for each of you.
Hi,
The devotion this morning was just what I needed. Was feeling unwanted and that I should be different. Prayed the Lord would show me how to think about the situation that prompted those feelings and your devotion was an answer to prayer. Keep up the great work, I know I need the encouragement you bring.
I struggle with believing that I “know enough” to share the gospel with nonbelievers.
Wow! Loved that encouragement! Lets see, where do I begin on my daily struggles… I would have to say dealing with anger & how I don’t do well in this area when dealing with my 4 children every second of everyday. I found your site while reading about you in the “Made to Crave devotional”. I’m excited to follow you on Facebook! God Bless!
Amy
I grew up in a different envirnonment. My parents divorced when I was 7. My mother had a difficult time coping with the divorce, so she turned to drugs. She would leave my younger sister and I alone for days at a time without food or money. The utilites were often being shut off because she neglected to pay the bills on time. My father never stepped in to help out. Eventually, my maternal grandparents saw the situation we were living in. They took my sister and I in, but so much emotional damage had already been done by both of my parents. My mom finally turned her life around and began going back to church. My husband and I haad been married 1 1/2 years when my mom was diagnosed with cancer of the stomach and given a 5% chance of survival. A few months later, we learned that I was pregnaant with our first child that I miscarried a month later. As my mom’s cancer progressed, I got pregnant again a year later. I miscarried 6 weeks later and then a month later my mom panassed away. I was a mess, emotionally speaking. I told my husband that I was ok with not having children. The pressure was finally off, (from our viewpoint, we still got questions fromfamily members). Shortly after our 5th anniversary, we were able to annouce our pregnancy. We had a son, born in January of 2008. Then a daughter with special needs in January of 2010 and another daughter in March 2011. We now have a 1, 2 and 4 year old. Without having a strong mother figure in my life, I tell myself that I can’t do this. There is no way I can be a good Christian mother to three beautiful children that God entrusted me with! I grew up on hot dogs and McDonald’s, I watched too much tv and I never went to church. How can a person with that kind of background be a good mother? These are the lies and insecurities that slip into my mind from time to time. It is something that I pray about OFTEN!!! Sometimes, I worry about it so much that I overdo things.
Is what’s wrong with me that i cant seem to remain In a relationship. I keep being cheating on am i not good enough.
The lie I hear most often is that I’m not good enough and I don’t measure up to what God expects. The truth is, I can never be enough on my own. It’s Christ in me that is more than enough! Praise be to God!
I am always comparing myself to others and I never think I am good enough. Whether it be my physical appearance or just not being able to do things as good as others. I have to constantly remind myself how great I really am.
This sounds so much like myself lately. I am struggling with who I am and what I’m doing. I know it is just a season, but I also realize that it is up to me to make the choice to seek HIM and read HIS word.
Were you at my house last night? This post was so timely. My husband and I went yet another round on how “I” can never keep up with things, I start and don’t finish projects – basically made me feel like I’m worthless as a mom and wife. He had valid reasons to be upset – just not the way he should’ve talked to me. I fear that I’ll never stand up the way I should…and that i”m passing that on to my kids…
So, recently retired from a job after 30 years…I was the go to person and knew more than the new people had already forgotten. At my new job, I am very green and know very little and it is very hard for me. The devil has propped himself up on my shoulder and has started whispering in my ear that I will never make it, I am not good enough, they don’t like me, it’s just a matter of time….I try to flick him off with my fingers, but he climbs right back up! Then I got to the ladies room, afterall, he shouldn’t be in there. It is quiet. I sit and i breath deeply and ask my Father to give me a hug and let me know everything will be ok and that I am good enough for this new job and the people do like me and I also ask Him to help me not be so hard on myself. I can be my worst critic. Sometimes I have to make several trips to the “throne” (no pun intended!) but I usually come back to reality and everything really is ok. Praise the Lord for pray and bathrooms!
Hi Karen,
I loved your devo and 5 tips! This all ties in with the book I proposed at She Speaks – “Who am I? – Seeking God’s Answer to an Age-Old Question.” It’s a book I need to write only because it’s one I need to read! It was great to say hello as the conference came to a close…thanks for your part in making the weekend wonderful! Still trying to grasp all that took place! Be you, Jill
I would like to win the book Confident Heart because I need spiritually lifted up. I have lost all confidence in myself including being a mother of adult children, aging and not feeling pretty, not having a “career”, etc. I get depressed often and try wholeheartedly to overcome a lot of this. I attend church regularly but I would like something during the times I’m not at church to keep me spiritually “high.” I struggle with beauty and that its a real “big one” for me. I workout all the time and am so tired all the time. I feel it’s not doing much at all. I struggle with this all the time. I don’t go to the beach because I feel like I don’t deserve to do nice things or vacations if I can’t eat better. If I can’t control my weight and body size then I don’t deserve to do anything fun.
I struggle with anyone truly loving me and struggle with feeling accepted by God. I’ve been married twice and both husbands left. They both basically said the same thing, ” don’t know how many years I have left but don’t want to spend it with you.” It does something to your self worth and with the choices I’ve made it’s difficult to feel and believe that God loves me. It’s so difficult because it’s not a tangible thing. I’ve told God I never want to marry again but try to fall in love with Him and experience His love.
It is definitely a daily struggle, but I am hopeful because of Gods word giving me that root that becomes a strong foundation. Without Christ,I don’t know how that is possible!
My biggest struggle is ALWAYS feeling LESS THAN. Never good enough. Doesn’t matter what it is, job performance, being mom, taking care of my mom, dealing with my family, MY RELATIONSHIP with the Lord, etc. I am so tired of feeling this way!
I struggle everyday with the thought that the way I lived my life in the past will never be forgiven.
I have struggled with feeling inadequate since I was about 3 years old. I have always secretly believed that everyone else is smarter and more adequate than I am.