Believing In Yourself

So lately I've been chatting with a lot of my students about themselves. Each of them all had one thing in common. The root cause of why they were feeling the way they were is because they didn't believe in themselves. I can totally relate to all of them because I've been in that place before and often times I still struggle with who I am because the enemy is always bombarding my mind with so many lies about myself. This is exactly what is happening...the enemy continues to fill our heads with so much junk and lies. He often tells us were not good enough, not pretty enough, not skinny enough, not smart enough and we'll never measure up to anyone or anything. I think the list can go on and on. Once these lies come, we continue to believe these lies and then it becomes our reality. We first start believing these lies internally and then before we know it these lies effect us externally. We start making the wrong decisions because we don't think we deserve it. We don't think we can do a certain job or take an opportunity, so we past it up, or fail before we even begin. We don't think we measure up to our friends our those around so we treat them differently, or become jealous and let bitterness well up inside of us.
As I sat here thinking about all of this, I realize how destructive "not believing in yourself" really is. It really determines who become in the long run if we don't change the way we think of ourselves.

So what do we do with such an easy 3 words to say, but not so easy to put into practice??

For one I think we need to take a second and look within and recognize the lies that we are believing. Two, i think we need to write down a list of things about ourselves, or make a mental list of the things that are true and positive...like our gifts and talents and the things that make us...us. The verse Psalms 139:13-14 has really helped me when I am doubting who i am. It's a great reminder of who God made us and reminds me that "we are wonderfully made". The other verse that sticks out is the verse that God knows how many hairs are on our head. That is a HUGE reminder that God made us just the way we are.

Lastly, guard your minds. Philippians 4:8 is a great scripture verse to help you stay focused on the positive instead of the negative. i think its easier said then done to believe in yourself. It is a process, but we need to take control of our minds and let God in and let the lies out!

Stop focusing on everyone else and all that they are and have. Stop focusing on the negative. Start believing in yourself, that you are worth it. God made you just how he wanted to. He made no mistake with who you are. So believe in yourself, set aside what your feelings and chose today that you will believe in the truths about yourself.