Truth is a trivial thing.
truth (noun): a verified or indisputable fact.
-- verified (adjective): confirmed
-- indisputable (adjective): unquestionably real or valid, incontestable
Whether it is complex or simple and straight forward, truth can be extremely difficult to grasp. As children we fearlessly accept what is true. We don't analyze it or complicate it - it is what it is. Unfortunately, as we grow and learn, we begin to question so many things about ourselves and about life in general. That does not have to necessarily be a bad thing, because I think we need to figure things out for ourselves on some level. The problem is, however, that we can stray way too far from the truth. It can become scary to accept an unknown or devastating reality, and there are times when other truths can seem too good to be possible.
We doubt. We doubt ourselves. We doubt others. We doubt God. I'm sure the list could go on for many of us. Our doubts can then beget lies, and those lies can become what we believe to be true. There are ideas we somehow come up with or create that devour us. Sometimes we might even hear a negative thing about who we are from another person that may confirm something we already think or it becomes a new lie we believe.
((hopefully some of that makes sense))
For the past couple of weeks I've been writing down different truths as they come to mind in order to remind myself over and over. I have written things like:
- I am loved, and it is perfectly ok to receive that.
- My identity is not in what I have struggled with (eating disorder, self-harm, depression) -- those things are simply part of my story.
- My indentity is not in guilt or shame or mistakes either.
- I am NOT perfect, and I do NOT have to be.
"Nobody is perfect. I just don't believe in perfection.
But I do believe in saying, 'This is who I am and look
at me not being perfect!' I'm proud of that." -- Kate Winslet
- Taking care of myself does not make me selfish.
- God's grace reaches me.
- God loves me relentlessly.
- There is always a way out.
"No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man.
God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond
your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the
way of escape, that you may be able to endure it." -- 1 Corinthians 10:13
- A step (or two) backwards, sidewides, or in a random circle does not negate the progress that has already been made.
- Being in recovery does not equal a lack of control.
- I am capable of and allowed to choose how I react.
- The Lord makes brokenness into something beautiful.
"He has made everything beautiful in its time." -- Ecclesiastes 3:11a
- I have potential.
- God can do things that I cannot do.
- Just because I am different from someone else does not mean I am inadequate.
- I am allowed to be proud of myself.
- I know full well that difficult feelings and thoughts DO pass.
- I am more than how I look on the outside.
- Not only does God love me, He likes me too.
- I can push my fear aside and move forward.
- God is constant and steady no matter how chaotic and inconsistent I am on any given day.
- It really is ok to be happy.
This stuff is not at all easy to accept, believe, and remember, but I am trying to trust that [with practice] my brain will be geared in a better direction.
There are many more truths, but these are the most
prominent ones that have come to my mind.
The cool thing is, this is not only true for me but for others too.
So maybe try to remind yourself of some truth as well.
It is ok to affirm what already exists for us.
