Beneath the SurfaceSample

Would you ask your math teacher to help you with a science project? Would you ask your art teacher to explain how fractions work? And would you ask a volleyball coach to explain Shakespeare? Probably not.

We understand the importance of asking the right person for help when it comes to understanding homework. So why do we have trouble asking the right person for help when it comes to understanding who we are?

The truth is, most of us find it pretty easy to believe the worst about ourselves. If an ad online makes us feel unattractive, we decide it must be true. If a mean person at school makes us feel worthless, we are tempted to agree with them. Even if a total stranger shouted an insult to us on the street, we'd probably think it was pretty weird, but in all honesty, it would be a little hard to forget what they'd said, right?

These are just a few of the ways we tend to develop our own understanding of who we are. Unfortunately, they're not very accurate. To develop a clearer picture of who we really are, we need to learn to use the tools that God has given to us, and drown out the lies that come from the world around us.

Today's Scripture reading talks about "taking thoughts captive." We all need to teach our minds how to ignore the lies around us and follow the truth instead.