Living a Lie: What Lies Do You Believe?

Dear friend,

This says a lot to me, you being here. It says you are feeling what I sometimes feel—like there is more than this. Your "this" may look different from my "this," but it's true all the same. So I'm really glad you're here. And I hope you'll stick around all the way to the end because there is something here for you. At the least, it's an invitation to run after a life that might require a bit more courage but will certainly offer more joy and more than "this."

At the most, everything changes. And that can be pretty awesome. I hope you have a journal, or will buy a journal, to take alongside you in this daily story you are writing about your life. Think of me as the friend who's across the table from you at the local coffeehouse, just here to talk and process and think with you as you walk this road toward your most courageous self. I'm cheering for you.

Eve was the first woman deceived by words—but not the last. God had said one thing, Satan said another . . . and Eve fell for Satan's lies. Sin and shame entered our world, and Jesus paid for it with His life. See, your struggle to separate truth from lies is something that every human wrestles with. It's hard to believe truth if your mind is flooded with confusion and false stories. And Satan is the one who is always trying to kill, steal, and destroy (John 10:10). Satan is a liar. I know you know that, but I want to say it again: he is a liar. He wants to define you, label you, and stop you from being brave and doing the work God has for you. When Satan lies to you (for instance, "You've got zero talent"), you begin to swirl that thought around in your head: She's better at this job than I am. I'm definitely the dumbest person in this office.

Soon, lies to yourself lead to lies about others ("Have you met the new office manager? Not very smart, that one . . .") because you are hurting and insecure. You hear a lie, you treat it like truth, and it begins to define you, like a label. And then you act out of that label. It's a vicious cycle that can be treated only by a heaping dose of truth—the real stuff. That's why I love the Bible. In His Word, God has already given you all the labels you need, and that's how we learn how to treat ourselves and each other.

Friend, it's time to stop listening to Satan's lies and labels so you can hear the truth. Be Brave: Read the story of David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17). What are some labels other people gave David? Which ones were actually true? No matter where you are in life, no matter what you're up against or dreaming of or praying for—God has a plan for you. That doesn't mean it's always easy or simple. But God promises to be faithful. And He gives you the power to be brave!

Find out how to grow your faith and chase your dreams with 100 Days to Brave by Annie F. Downs.