Silence the Lies

I pulled the covers over my head.  It was completely irrational. And when our response to a situation is unreasonably greater than the situation merits, we can rest assured something is up.

Something was up.

I had simply received an invitation to participate in an upcoming ministry event, and now I was under the covers in a heap of tears. What was wrong with me?

It’d been brewing for awhile.  I was short with the kids, irritable to my husband, and didn’t want anything to do with ministry.   Of course I kept going through the motions but inside I was felt like I was dying.  And now, a simple invitation had sent me into an emotional tailspin.

Something was up.

After I finally got myself together, I went downstairs–we were late to a New Year’s Eve party (Just what I felt like doing… Here’s to a New Year! I’m a disaster!), so I rushed the kids to the car and avoided looking at Jeff.  I sat in silence while he asked me a dozen questions, trying to pinpoint what could be the matter, thinking it was somehow his fault.

“It’s not your fault,” I kept saying.  I can’t tell him, I thought. It’s so stupid. I can’t tell him. I sat in silence for about 10 minutes then finally knew I had to say it so at least he’d know it wasn’t him.   Here we go…

“I…”  my voice broke and sobs came.  All the lies and hurts came rushing to the surface, I hadn’t realized their pressure until the silence, and the emotional dam, was broken.  “…I know I’m a bad mom … Of course I don’t want to [take part in this event]! I have nothing to offer. Nothing. Why on earth would someone want to hear ideas or insights from a woman who can’t even get her kids to sit still for a Christmas picture?! I already know I’m a failure….” I continued until all the junk was out.  (And there was plenty.)

He nodded, understanding. So that was it.  His face was dark and I knew what he was going to say before he said it.

“Lies.”

Calmly, evenly, and with firm resolve, Jeff began telling me the truth.  Who I was in Christ. Who He knew me to be. Truth. Truth. Truth. Like missiles launched in the battle in my heart.  Then he prayed for me.  Thankfully, the tower of lies crumbled quickly, and to my amazement, by the time we reached the party the only residue was a tear-stained face and swollen eyes.  I was so happy to have my heart cleansed and set free that I could have cared less about how I looked.  But now, looking back, it’s a sobering reminder of the battle that we face.

—

My thoughts were irrational. They were ridiculous. Because they were lies. But the accusations had been made. The case was built. A hundred little scenarios of child misbehavior, including a failed attempt at a cute Christmas photo. I’d believed the lies and the verdict was clear: I’m a failure.

Have you ever heard this lie? Scripture tells us exactly where it comes from. The Father of Lies (John 8:44) and Accuser of the Brethren (Rev. 12:10) lives to whisper false accusations in our ears. And his favorite tactic is to take perfectly innocent situations and suggest to us how each circumstance proves our worthlessness.

Not invited somewhere? It’s because your kids are obnoxious and no one likes your company. A parenting book recommended by a friend? That’s because everyone around knows you’re such a failure as a mom. The success of a friend? See, everyone around you is flourishing while you’re failing. Satan can even turn Christmas cards into accusations! See, everyone else’s kids are perfectly behaved. You’re such a bad mom you can’t even get your kids to pose for a picture.

The whispered accusations are loud, and at times the case made against us can seem air-tight. From our perspective all the evidence points to our worthlessness.

But God.

In Zechariah chapter 3 the prophet saw a vision of Joshua the high priest standing before the LORD and Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him. But verse two tells us that the LORD said to Satan, “Rebuke you, O Satan! … Is not this a brand plucked from the fire?”

My hope and prayer is that none of you can relate to my little story above. But I have a feeling you can.  We are all vulnerable to this but this is what you must know:

You have been plucked from the fire by the Living God. He has saved you, loved you, redeemed you. He has declared you not guilty.

The truth is that you are not a failure or a mistake. The truth is that YOU are the woman chosen to be wife to your husband, to be mother to your children, to be the daughter, friend, minister—whatever you are you were chosen to be. Think about that. Whatever you are you were chosen to be. You are where you are because God has ordered your steps. And God has not destined you to failure. He has perfectly equipped you to carry out His will (2 Peter 1:3).

You and I don’t have to hide under the covers today. The truth sets us free.We must choose to listen, not to the Accuser, but to the Judge. The One who declares us righteous. The One who loved us so much He died to bring us near. We will make mistakes, but there is no mistaking the love God has for us. I pray today that this extravagant love lures you from your hiding place to face a beautiful day. Only the Truth can silence the lies.  Get with God, open His Word, receive prayer–allow the Truth to set you free.

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While Satan accuses, God convicts. We’ll talk about the difference in the next few days.

What lies are you tempted to believe about yourself today?  What truth do you need to believe to silence these lies?