I Said to Myself: Overcoming False Beliefsنموونە

Be Transparent

False Belief: I must please other people to be loved or accepted!

● Caution: self-deceit

I have a good friend that shares his story of how, ever since he could remember, he would just lie. He would lie so much and so often, that he couldn’t keep up with all the lies. The need to constantly make up a story to please people was more important than the truth. I could relate so much to this in my own life. It seems as if telling a lie was not only easier but more rewarding than being transparent and risking rejection from those, we want to be close to.

Here's the truth: what does not allow us to be transparent is the fear of being rejected. All my life I grew to want more and more people to like me. And because of my gifts, it became easier to have people “like” me and even follow me on the different social media platforms. Watching the number of followers grow from hundreds to thousands gave me a sense of meaning and worthiness. I was craving the acceptance of total strangers, whom I would probably never meet and that most likely weren’t even real. That is just wild!

Part of positive self-talk is to direct yourself with specific instructions. But what we tell ourselves can only have true meaning if it is coming directly from the Word of God. It is God's opinion about us that truly matters and serves as absolute truth.  

God reminds Jeremiah in chapter 1, verse 4 - 5:

The Lord gave me this message:

“I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb.
Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.”

King David pens with great artistry Psalm 139 which is a beautiful declaration of how fearfully and wonderfully God made us all. This is a great reminder to us, regardless of how we may feel emotionally.

We become transparent when we accept ourselves for who we are and embrace the journey we are on. Be kind to yourself. Love yourself and be compassionate towards yourself. It has been said that when on a flight, we should place our oxygen masks first before helping others.  Well in the healthcare world, it is said that before we check someone’s pulse, first check yours. In other words, make sure you are good; don’t lie to yourself and try to deceive yourself. There is no place in your mind and in your heart for deceit. Tell it to “take a seat, and chillax.” No more room for it in your life.

Remember: If you find yourself struggling with self-deceit saying, “I must please other people to be loved or accepted,” make this declaration:

I am a child of God (John 1:12 NLT)

I am free (John 8:32-36 NLT)

I am an overcomer (1 John 4:4 NLT)

I am not alone (John 8:16 NLT)

I am valuable (Mat. 10:31 NLT)