Read with me, “Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers,  but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night.  That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers.” Psalm 1:1-3

We often experience self deprecating thoughts in the face of challenges.  It is all too common for self doubt to enter our hearts when things get tough, we feel like we cannot do the hard things in life.  While having conversations with people, facing everyday life, having to show up, do you experience fear, anxiety, or insecurity?  Today, I want to help us have victory over the lies of the enemy. I want to give you a practical workable strategy to combat the thoughts that hold you captive. Our sword is the Word of God, which active and alive, dynamic in its efficacy at helping us through all things life throws at us The word functions as a reminder of who He is, and who He makes us. As we behold Him, we see the amazing potential we have to be like Him.  The more we look in this mirror, the more we will know who He made us, know and remember. This is what meditating on the word of God does, it serves a mirror that reminds you what you look like, just as you would look in a natural mirror and see your true form, so the word shows you the truth of who you are.  Reading, knowing and meditating on His word bolsters our faith, brings clarity to our thoughts, and edifies our souls, renews the heart, enabling us to fully live a victorious life. Reading and meditating on the word eradicates the false impressions we have. He died so that we can live. He didn’t pay half a price, degrees of which  we still need to redeem through suffering. He paid it all. We get to stand in victory; we get to know Him in victory. We are no longer slaves or orphans, but Sons of the Living God. And as Sons we have been left a legacy of powerful living, not victimhood, not insufficiency, not suffering, but purpose and overcoming.

Think of a Scripture, for instance, Psalm 139, “ For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.” Meditate on this for a few minutes.  See yourself in that scripture. See God love you, and think of you, having intentions for your life before you were even born. Feel and know that you are known and accepted. Understand that He is a good father. Understand that has made you with intricacies, with depth, with intent. Know that you are loved by Him. Allow your heart to think this way, even if your mind wants to remind you of hard times. Even when your mind is screaming at you that you are undeserving, rest in the knowledge of Him, not in what you know about you, but in what you know about Him. Allow His love to fill your heart. Allow your heart to accept it, to know it. Think of how this can help you today. See yourself overcome fear. Love overcomes fear, see yourself strong in His love for you. It is free.  See yourself reign over insecurity, taking action against the lie that would have you remain inactive. Refute the lies of the enemy by believing His truth about you.

 “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Philippians 4:8