Overcome the Lie: 4 Lies I Believe As A Mom
Today I'm joining the Overcome The Lie Blog Tour. They seek “to empower a generation of women to overcome the lie because Jesus overcame the grave.” I was humbled and honored that they asked me to join them. How could I not? As women, there are times when we are more vulnerable to believing the lies of Satan and we are left in bondage. But in Christ, we find freedom (John 8:31-32).
Lies I Believe
1. You are alone.
2. You have to look a certain way.
3. Your house must be picture-perfect all the time or you've failed as a wife/homemaker.
4. You'll never be enough.
It's not enough to just know the lies I believe. While that is the first step, I also need to know how to fight against them when they start to intrude on my thoughts.
The Truth to Battle Lies
These lies are just that, lies. They are not true. Satan knows our weaknesses and he knows how to push our buttons and whisper these lies in our ears at just the time when we are vulnerable and will believe them. Dear friends, we have to stop him in his tracks. The Word of God is a double-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12-13), it is God-breathed, useful for teaching, reproof, correction, and for training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16-17). When we find ourselves believing these lies, we need to fight back with Scripture to overcome the lie.
1. You are not alone.
Deuteronomy 31:6 tells us, “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” At the 2 am feedings with your newborn, you aren't alone. When you're at the end of your rope after a hard day and it's all you can do to make it until bedtime, you aren't alone.
When it seems as though everyone but you is enjoying a much-needed Mom Night Out or Date Night, you aren't alone. While we know that God is with us, we were also made for community – to do life together. Step out of your comfort zone and connect with another mom who might be feeling the same way you are. Ask if anyone would like to do a childcare swap for Date Nights. You might be surprised, and you won't feel quite so alone.
2. You do not have to look a certain way.
God knit you together in your mother's womb – you are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:13-16). God chose you and predestined you before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4-5). How awesome is that?!
I love this reminder from 1 Samuel 16:7, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” It doesn't matter what clothes you wear, if your hair is turning gray, or if you have a hole in your shoe. God doesn't look at those things. He looks at your heart.
3. Your house doesn't have to be picture perfect all the time or you've failed as a wife/homemaker.
For everything there is a season (Ecclesiastes 3:1). At one time, I had a clean house. Everything had a place and everything was in its place. Then we had kids. That totally rocked my world. Now I had to balance cleaning with caring for this baby and the new mom's tiredness.
God blessed us with more babies, and now it's all I can do to keep my house manageable while trying to balance it all. Some days are better than others. I've learned that I need to give myself grace during this season of littles. One day I can have a spotless house again. But until then, I will enjoy the smudge marks left by little hands, and the sticky floors because that just means people live here. Little people are a blessing and not a curse or something to be frowned upon.
It doesn't bother me when I go to someone's house and their house isn't clean. So why is it that I cringe at the thought of someone stopping by unannounced to visit with us? Let's pull back the curtain and do life together.
4. You are enough.
God loves you so much that He sent Jesus, his Son, to die for you (John 3:16). Do you love someone enough to give your child for them? I don't know that I could. That is LOVE. God loves you for who you are right now. Not what you will be, or what you want to be. You, right now. In your messy brokenness, God loves you.
Now you know just how messy and broken I am. These are the lies I believe. We have to fight against these lies daily, dear friends. Satan wants nothing more than to seek us out and destroy us. It is only through Christ that we have life, and not just life on earth, but eternal life.
Love this post! The lie I have always believed is that I can only rely on myself, that I can’t count on anyone else to stick around or come through. Doesn’t make for a very good marriage/relationship with Christ. I’m slowly learning to let go and trust. It’s not easy, but I’m working on it.
That’s a tough one! I’m guilty of that one. It tough though. People always let us down. But Christ NEVER does. He may not always do what we think He should, but His plan is good.
Loved this post- so much I had to pin it on my Life and Inspiration board. You did a great job pointing out the biggest lies society tells us, and that we repeat to ourselves.
Thank you, Kim. It’s always hard to reveal the yuck in my own heart, but at least it helps others know they aren’t alone! Thanks for stopping by!
such a great inspiring post. Thanks for linking up at Tell Me About It Tuesday. We hope you hop over and share with us again next week.
Thank you for sharing this…as a mom it is easy to get consumed and overwhelmed by what we think is expected of us by the world around us. It is so important to realize the truth. Thanks for sharing!
This is a great post Whitney. I deal with all of those lies as well. Some times we get so wrapped up in the moment that we can’t see the truth.
I love this post! Its so easy to get down on ourselves when things are picture perfect. We have to remember to just take it one day at a time and to not be so hard on ourselves.
Thanks for linking up at Gingham & Roses!
Hope to see you back next week!
Tenns @ New Mama Diaries
This is a great post–I am reading the book Lies Woman Believe for the second time and thought I might start blogging about it! I also just blogged about the lies some young mothers believe in response to a nasty post that was written to young mothers. Keep up the great writing! Thanks for linking up with the Bloggers Brags Pinterest Party. I have pinned your post to the Bloggers Brags Pinterest Board!
Great post, currently I am struggling with not wanting to fail. There are things that I want to do, but am letting the fear of failure keep me from them. Scriptures that come to mind are Isaiah 41:10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God : I will strengthen thee ; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Thanks for sharing on Tuesdays With a Twist.
Thanks for linking at Pintastic Pinteresting Party. I’m pretty sure we all have ran into these lies and have believed them. You are right they are lies and we need to look towards the Maker for the right answers.
Whitney – more than two years later, this post was exactly what I needed to hear today! I’m sitting here trying to figure out a way to print it and add it to my “mommy reminders” board outside my little one’s room. Thank you!