Replacing old lies with truth

This is an awesome blog, my friends. I hope it encourages you. I've copied Lysa Terkeurst's blog below, but I'd suggest going to her site and reading her other blogs. This is TRUTH we need!!


http://lysaterkeurst.blogspot.com/2010/01/replacing-old-lies-with-truth.html

Replacing old lies with truth

Replacing old lies with truth
If you are visiting today from my Proverbs 31 Encouragement for Today Devotional- welcome! I'm glad you're here.

Yesterday, I was reading an article in Good Housekeeping magazine about weight loss. It was interesting that the writer of this secular article encouraged people to find a way to tie their weight loss journey very closely to their core beliefs and values. And if we do this, we'll have the greatest success.

I have definitely found this to be true.

I have tried to lose weight so many times. When my only goal was to get thinner, it was very easy to give into temptation and justify myself right into a chips and brownies oblivion.

Getting thin wears thin as a motivational factor. I even used my faith as an excuse. When getting thin was my only motivation, I felt good in saying, "You know, it's really kind-of vain to even care what my body looks like. I think it's more Christian to care about the inside not the outside."

And while on some levels this is true, I knew my issues went way beyond just how much I weighed. My weight was an outside indication of an internal struggle. On a spiritual level, I was becoming increasingly frustrated with my lack of control. I would say with my mouth- With God all things are possible! But, I would secretly think, All things except my issues with food.

I was addicted to sugar. I was turning to food more than I was turning to God. I walked around feeling completely defeated. And to some extent, I doubted God could help me with this. Yes, my issues were definately affecting even on a spiritual level.

Sweet sisters, God made us to consume food.

He did not make food to consume us. Like Deuteronomy 2:3 says, “You have circled this mountain long enough. Now turn north."

In order for me to get out of the ruts of defeat with this issue, I had to start filling in the old lies and go to scripts in my mind with truth. Like the article I mentioned above said, I had to tie my weight loss issues to something deeper than physical reasons.

As a Christ-follower, I knew I would need to make this a spiritual and mental makeover just as much as a physical one. Slowly, over time, I learned to consistently let truth be what I told myself instead of turning to the lies that kept me stuck.

Finally, I lost the weight. But even better, I freed my soul from the endless cycles of defeat that kept me from being able to follow God unhindered.

Here are some of these truths that helped set me on the path toward victory.

Old Lie: I need these Oreos. They will fill me up with a Chocolate high and taste so good.

New Truth: The thought that these Oreos will fill me is a lie. They will taste good for just the few minutes it will take to eat them. Then that hollow feeling of guilt will rush in as soon as the chocolate high dissipates. Am I wanting to eat right now because I need nourishment or because I’m feeling empty emotionally or spiritually? If I truly need a snack right now, I am capable of choosing something healthy.

Ephesians 3:17- 19, "And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."

Old lie: I am such a failure with this healthy eating thing. Why sacrifice this instant gratification now when I know eventually I’ll just go back to my old habits anyhow.

New Truth: I am not a failure. I am a lavishly loved child of God. Part of my right as a child of God is to operate in a power beyond myself. The Holy Spirit is God’s gift to me so it is possible for me to use the self-control I’ve been given.

1 John 3:1, "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!"

Old lie: God seems so far away and these fries are right around the corner at that drive-thru.

New Truth: These fries don’t love me. And the only thing lasting from them is the cholesterol and cellulite they’ll inevitably create which will just further compound my frustration. God’s love is here in this moment and in many more to come. His love is true and carries with it only positive residual effects.

Psalm 103:17, " But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him.
This is just a start of replacing the lies and justifications with the truths of God’s love."

These are just a start. If you'd like me to send you more Go-To scripts via e-mail, leave a comment below with your e-mail address and I'll send these to you this weekend.

To leave a comment, click on the words "Post a Comment" below and follow the prompts.

May today be the day we all stop circling the mountain of defeat and truly head north!


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