10 Truths that Defy the Lie of Emotion

What’s on your mind?

If I asked this over coffee, would you want to answer honestly?  Or would you prefer to show me the happy face that we all bring out in public? 

As some of the hardest things to control in our lives, our thoughts often run amuck with falsehoods and misconceptions. It’s not uncommon to have prolific, unkind thoughts toward ourselves. They’re ugly and unpleasant musings. Thoughts are difficult to control yet we’re told in Scripture to take each one captive to the obedience of Christ. 

Controlling thoughts can prove a difficult hill to climb but it’s not impossible, especially when we can fight them with the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God.  

As we read and study the Bible, sometimes one verse - or even just a few words within a verse - can seem to jump off the page. All at once we think, “that was just for me!” We recognize the Spirit helping us draw our Sword for battle. Sometimes we hear repeated wisdom in different contexts and can then identify it as a useful spiritual weapon.

This happened to me a couple of weeks ago when I heard these similar statements from two different sources:  1) God’s Word is true no matter how our emotions perceive it.  2) We can trust God’s promises even when they don’t seem to manifest in the timing we’d prefer.  These were truths meant to demolish strongholds and overcome oppression. 

Both are deep-seated concepts boiled down into basic expressions. We could study and devour each idea for months, but in their simplest form, they continue to reverberate and multiply in my mind:  

God’s truth is steadfast.

God is a God of truth.

Truth doesn’t vary with my emotions.

My current trial or situation doesn’t diminish His great plan. 

God’s promises are yes and amen

(See 2 Corinthians 1:20)

If you’re anything like me - one who tends to let self doubt keep a firm grip on my heart and mind - there’s often a great divide between what is true and how I feel.  However, when weighing emotions against truth, truth wins, every time.

I won’t address ongoing negative thoughts in this post, trusting that many of us are intimately familiar with them. We needn’t watch the replay. 

Instead, I’ll share the truth of the Bible and allow you to connect the dots. I believe you’ll readily begin to see the bigger, truthful picture and how God sees you as a woman of faith.

Here are 10 truths that defy our emotions:

1. We are God’s. Do not fear for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are mine. (Isaiah 43:1)
2. We are chosen.  He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him.  (Ephesians 1:4)
3. We are blessed. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill His promises to her (Luke 1:45)
4. We are made in God’s image. So God created man in His own image: He created him in the image of God; He created them male and female. (Genesis 1:27)
5. God cares for us.  casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7)
6. We are redeemed and forgiven. We have redemption in Him through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace (Ephesians 1:7)
7. We are set free. Christ has liberated us to be free. Stand firm then and don't submit again to a yoke of slavery. (Galatians 5:1)
8. We are beloved. So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; (Colossians 3:12)
9. We are God’s masterpiece. (Ephesians 2:10)
10. We are loved as His children.  See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. (1 John 3:1)

Defy the lies and sleuth for truth

In our emotionally charged society, it’s easy to believe our feelings more than we believe established and proven truth. As women with heartaches and hormones, hurt feelings and areas of harbored shame, we have to work had to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. We can’t allow our thoughts to run rampant with our emotions. Instead, let’s make a decision to discover and then hold fast to the truth of who God says we are.

To help you focus on the truth about yourself, I have a free, printable set of notecards available for you here. They’re my gift to you - from one sister who struggles with negative self-talk to another. They don’t focus on positive thinking, but rather thinking truthfully. We’re not trying to persuade our minds into believing something, but to embrace our identity in Christ and realizing who God says we are. For that is the more excellent way.

Your Turn:

In what ways do you battle negative self talk?

What’s your favorite Bible verse about your identity in Christ?

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Be strengthened today, by His Word

Cathy

Psalm 119:28