During this quarter, I'm seeing so many of us expose the lies we've believed for what they are: excuses, reasons for relapse, self-pity, or nagging entitlements.
Similar to last week's Automatic Negative Thoughts, this week, I'm going to ask you to answer the following questions (found in Keep The Change). We each face different challenges, but we're all vulnerable to believing lies rather than the truth about our lives--so don't think you're alone!
1. Do I believe that I can change without accountability?
2. Is there something in my life I'm hiding from those close to me?
3. Have I lied about something recently?
4. What does my behavior say about what I believe?
5. What does my body say about what I believe?
Take your time answering these questions and make them specific to your own life.
Be encouraged (and I mean that sincerely),
Becky
Becky, I've been thinking about this week's topic for a few days.
ReplyDeleteToday I sat down with my CYL journal and put some thoughts in there.
Essentially I listed the lies that I am believing. Things the enemy clearly puts in my head, which are not true.
Things like how my dreams and goals will never be fulfilled, or that God will never use me etc.
I also noted that I do not have to do it all. (Totally unrelated to church work, more related to other things) but I need to let go sometimes and let other people do things. That was another big one for me.
Our pastor was talking about Abraham today, and asked us if we had stayed back in the land and not moved forward like God asked Abraham to do.
That just added to my CYL journal notes for the day. I realize I have to quit living with the false truth the enemy whispers in my ear, and start listening to God and what His Word says about me. I also need to move out into the land He has for me.
Thank you for the topic. It was powerful.
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ReplyDeleteThese were tough questions that I have been pondering all week. I really feel convicted that I let myself off the hook by claiming that I'm tired or I'm sad about something. I hear myself saying those things and I know they're wrong. And yet I do them anyway. I know I can't change without accountability. But I've had people on my list since April that I haven't talked to about holding me accountable. Somehow I'm afraid that if I tell someone, I won't be able to back down from what I said I would do. And yet, I don't really want to back down.
ReplyDeleteI hide all the time from people, so afraid to admit failure and afraid I'll be found out. Just the other day, my boyfriend asked me if I still go to the gym. I haven't been in a few weeks but I found myself saying yes. When he asked how often I said, about once a week! What was wrong with saying that I haven't been in a few weeks and that I know I want to go back? He would have been fine hearing that. Does anyone else do this? I was in a discussion in a women's codependent group once and they said that children of alcoholics lie to gain approval. Is it true that somehow I think that people won't like me if I tell the truth? I know that it's not true - I have found from experience that it's better for people to be honest, especially when they've failed. It makes them more real and easier to open up to. These are powerful truths that I know I need to apply to my life.
I feel powerful today. I joined a group of friends who are going to train for a half-marathon in October. I feel like I have set a deadline to my dream because if I don't get my body ready for this, I am going to fail miserably in front of my friends. After bouncing around with my weight - putting back on 2 lbs. that I had lost, I finally feel like I'm back on track and down to 141 with 11 lbs. to go before I reach my goal weight.
It's a tough wake-up call, but I feel like I needed that good kick to tell me that I need to stop rationalizing and start working again.
Transparent honesty is such an amazing step of relief and release. Your post surely spoke to all of us! Thank you for sharing, Sharon.
ReplyDeleteI agree so much with Sharon and Laura. There is an enemy that loves to have us isolated and alone. Accountability is key to any change of behavior and I am learning that through this blog, and at al anon. There is no substitute for it. God tells us in His word to confess our sins to one another. It is painful, but then comes freedom. Just like forgiveness, it can be so painful, but then, freedom and life. Last week we talked about step 7 in the 12 steps at an Al Anon meeting. "Humbly ask Him to remove our shortcomings" .."Humility is not weakness, it is strength..this surrender to God's will has miraculous power to bring our lives into order and serenity, and to remove, along with our shortcomings, the causes of our distress and failure...we are ready to accept His help in eliminating our faults" *
ReplyDeleteSo this week is really taking the inventory. Looking at ourselves with honesty and humility. Asking for help. Finding accountability with someone. Getting involved in a group setting has been a huge blessing for me. It is where I see God work through others, speak through others and encourage us through others...even nonbelievers. He is amazing how He works. And He, who has begun a good work in us, will complete it! Praise God! Thank goodness He never gives up on us! His mercies are new every morning, great is His faithfulness! I heard a song the other day about getting back up again each time we fall. Get back up again over and over.
Oh, and last week, there was an article in the Wall St. Journal titled "The Power of a Gentle Nudge: Phone Calls, Even Voice Recordings, Can Get People to Go to the Gym" This article talked about how small amounts of social support, ranging from friends who encourage eachother by email to occasional meetings with a fitness counselor, can produce large and lasting gains against physical inactivity. So that made me think of this group and Becky's role as encourager. And my short time in Al Anon is quickly teaching me how much we human beings need eachother for support and unconditional, agape love. That was the topic of the sermon for my son's Baccalaureate Service 2 days ago: The 2 forces at work in our world: one is divisive (diabolo-satan) the other is unity: Agape, divine love. Every time we make a decision, will it divide or unify? Simple, yet HUGE in concept. Look at our government. Enough said. Division destroys, unity is God's desire.
*sorry left out this reference from the book "A-Anon Family Groups" 12 steps.
ReplyDelete