Overcoming HurtSample

Identify and Reframe Mistaken Messages

The Bible tells us that we do not battle against human flesh but against Satan and the fiery arrows that He uses to attack us. These fiery arrows often come in the form of lies that have been rooted in our souls through pain and wounds developed from our life experiences.

Maybe you’ve experienced loneliness or have felt rejected. What message have you believed? It could be “People don’t care about me,” “I’m unwanted,” or “I must not matter.” Maybe you’re experiencing financial hardship. What message are you telling yourself? Perhaps, “God doesn’t care about me,” “I’m not good or gifted enough,” or “No matter how hard I try, I just can’t provide for my family. I’m inadequate.”

Such messages are often not true. Lies have been the Enemy’s tactic since day one in the Garden of Eden. He works to twist the truth, deceive us, and get us to believe lies about God, ourselves, and others. In Genesis 3, Adam and Eve fell for a lie from the Enemy and disobeyed God’s command not to eat fruit from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. They ate the fruit and were immediately filled with shame, believing not just that they had done wrong but that they were wrong.

The Enemy wants to use whatever he can to get us to believe lies, often using our losses and painful experiences. But what is the truthabout your current situation? In loneliness, remind yourself that Jesus said, “I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). Remind yourself that in Christ you are a beloved child of God (1 John 3:1), chosen and wanted (John 15:16), and God’s masterpiece (Ephesians 2:10). In financial hardship, remind yourself that God will provide for you (Matthew 6:26).

Look over that list of losses you made from Day Two. What messages have you been believing that you know are lies from hell? What truths from God’s Word give you assurance and hope to counter those lies? Sit with God and experience His truth intellectually and emotionally. Memorize the verses you need so you can come back to these truths and experience them when sadness, shame, or lies surface again. Experience what it feels like to be loved, accepted, and adequate.

God, lead me to the truth. Your Word is truth.