In writing fiction, the main character should begin their journey believing a lie. In my current work in progress, the lie my heroine, Lanie, clings to resulted in her turning from her faith in God.
My hero, Luke, also believes a lie, but he remained strong in his faith—until Lanie moved back to the small town where the series takes place. He thought he’d dealt with his past after they parted ways. He had forgiven her, but bitterness nags at his heart when he sees her again.
I can’t imagine walking away from the Lord as Lanie did. But I have dealt with bitterness—resentment toward someone when I didn’t know the truth about the situation. And how many people have hurt me because I misinterpreted what they said?
When I considered whether I should retire, a coworker told me it was time. What? Did she want me gone? I wondered if she felt I was too old to continue working. This bothered me for a few days, and I prayed against the bitterness growing inside of me. I then realized she may have meant I’d worked hard, and it was time for me to relax and enjoy my golden years.
Why do we do that? The lie of believing the worst.
What other lies do we tell ourselves? We may not think we have much to offer, but here are four verses declaring what God says about us if we’ve surrendered our lives to the Lord.
When disheartened by the lie that God doesn’t love you—
You are Christ’s friend, and He loves you dearly.
Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down
his life for his friends.
John 15:13 (ESV)
When frustrated, thinking you’re not good enough—
You are the temple of God, and the Holy Spirit lives in you.
Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that
God’s Spirit dwells in you?
1 Corinthians 3:16 (ESV)
When discouraged by the lie that God can’t use you because of your past—
You are free from condemnation.
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.
Romans 8:1-2 (ESV)
When dejected and feeling like a failure—
You are God’s workmanship.
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for
good works, which God prepared beforehand,
that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2:10 (ESV)
What overcomes those lies we believe? Truth! And where do we find the truth? In God’s Word.
May God’s Word fill you with joy today as you look to Him for truth.
Photo by Uday Mittal - Unsplash