Never Exchange the Truth For a Lie

I’ve recently started reading a book by Lysa TerKeurst called It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way and so much of it resonates with my soul. The hurt, the disappointment, the pain. But one chapter triggered something in me that I’ve wrestled with for a while now.

She talks about hurtful words that people have spoken into your life and how whatever statements come against the truth, must be called a lie.

At the end of the chapter she asks reflection questions, “whom have you given so much power to that their words about you…make you afraid. How have their words affected you?”

It reminded me of the months that led up to my resignation from my ministry position a little over a year ago. It was a time that was quite possibly the lowest I have ever felt about myself.

  • Passive aggressive
  • Arrogant
  • Untrustworthy 
  • A mistake
  • Not as good as the others
  • Unsatisfactory 
  • Don’t measure up
  • Unworthy

These are the words that were either spoken directly to me or implied. They cut deep and hurt to the very core.

The crazy thing is that when you hear words like that over and over again, you start to believe them. It messes with your head. Even though you know it’s not true, you begin to doubt and become insecure in who you are and what you can do. You become paralyzed in fear and it’s no longer you but just a shell of you merely existing.

But one day you get the courage to stop believing the lies. However, to do so means you must walk away from everything you have ever known. Your heart is broken. Your hopes have turned to dust and ash.

And that’s when God steps in. He mixes the dust with the water from your tears and He turns it into clay. And when placed in the potter’s hands, the clay can be formed and fashioned into a beautiful masterpiece.

Dust doesn’t have to signify the end. Dust is often what must be present for the new to begin.

Lysa TerKeurst

And those old thoughts are replaced with new ones

  • Fearfully and wonderfully made
  • A treasure
  • Beautiful
  • Chosen
  • Set apart
  • Forgiven
  • Fully known and loved

No matter what words may have been spoken over you, if it comes against the truth, it is a lie. Never exchange the truth for a lie.


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