Are you fed up yet?

I like to look through my journals of the past, see how I was feeling, what was happening, how things maybe turned around, the ups and downs... it's one reason I love journaling with quiet time, because as soon as I write it, I forget it...or at least feel better. It is my place to unload, spill, release, and be done. We go through struggles that seem so huge- and sometimes they are huge- but a couple years later, we've moved on to other things. However, as I looked through my journals recently, I saw a pattern. If I got a nickel every time I wrote a lie about myself, or an agreement, I'd be a rich woman. And as I sat there reading my struggles of the past, while in the midst of struggling with agreements and lies right now, I wanted to scream! This is not a struggle with which we need to suffer!

It is time to GET FED UP, y'all!!!

This goes along with what I wrote about last time- Give Directions. We can direct improper thoughts just as we direct evil to leave us. It sounds so easy, even simple, on paper. But it is so hard to battle yourself. These lies sneak in soooo easily. We are fed by them constantly. And if we look around, they can easily be justified. Culture confirms it. Quietly comparing yourself to others agrees that it must be true. Doom scrolling social media shouts from the rooftops that it is absolutely true. The problem is, the longer we hold on to a lie, the more we agree with it and accept it as truth. It becomes an agreement. That is what makes it so hard to break free.

When I was going through a particularly rough patch a few years ago, I poured out to God. All my thoughts. Wrote them down. Every single bad thought, failure, and doubt in my mind. He said, in His most loving manner,

Enough!

You have the Power in ME to do anything

Become who you want to be- who I created you to be

to follow my path

to do more

to be content where you are right now

to take action

to set boundaries

to stop the fear over EVERYTHING

to be a Mother

to take action!

Notice 'take action' is in there twice? It was in my journal. As I copied it literally from my journal to here, it stopped me in my tracks. He gives us the power, yet requires US to take the first step forward. To agree, enough is enough, let's goooo, get up and realize the power within us!

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control]. 2 Timothy 1:7 AMP

Get fed up with feeling helpless

Get fed up with feeling hopeless

Get fed up with feeling like you're doing it all wrong

God is whispering how much He loves you. God is holding out His hand for you to grasp. God is opening His arms to wrap you up, to let you know it is ok! It is also worth mentioning, that when God speaks to us in our spirit, if you feel condemnation or shaming, it is not from God. He does correct us and discipline us, but He never makes us feel the way culture tells us we should feel.

We can learn from Jehosaphat in the Old Testament. He came to God when he learned of a 'vast army' coming against the nation of Judah.

O our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” 2 Chronicles 20:12

This was part of Jehosaphat's prayer. He acknowledged that he could not do anything in his own power. He was seeking God's help, guidance, deliverance. Although we may not have an army against us, we need to treat intrusive thoughts as an enemy army, because we do battle the 'forces and rulers of this dark world.'

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:12

The spirit of the Lord then spoke through Jahaziel (one standing in the assembly) and said,

...This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel. You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.’” 2 Chronicles 20: 15-17

Although God is talking to Jehosaphat and the nation of Judah in this example, it demonstrates to us how God shows up. When we put our battles in God's hands, He will be there. He will fight for us. And He always triumphs. Will we believe as Jehosaphat believed?

When we consistently seek God, His truth replaces our truth. Memorizing scripture is for this purpose- so that when lies plague you, you can replace them with His truth. One of my friends wisely once said, "the lies won't show up right in front of your face. They slip in, in the side of your ear, ever so quietly." My small group leader says, "Leave a crack in the door, the devil's bringing his pajamas." As we continue to read God's word and study His character, we will understand and catch the lies more quickly.

What lies are you believing? Are you ready to get fed up? Are you ready to let go?

Put it into practice:

Make yourself a T-chart. The left side, label as "lies." The right, label as "God" or "truth."

Write down the thoughts in your head. Bring them before God. God, I hand over these lies I know are not from You. Help me replace them with your truth. Over time, see what God is telling you. Write what comes to mind in the truth section. Here are some of mine:

Lies	Truth
I'm anxious about today	Do not be anxious about anything (Phillipians 4:6)
I am messed up in my head	I am fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14)
I am so busy, I don't enjoy life	You are involved in a lot, but blessed with talents and passions
The daily chores overwhelm me	Just do one thing at a time
Stress is breaking me	You must rest

You can see some were straight from scripture, and some were gentle reassurances. At first, you may not even realize you are believing lies. Give it time, and He'll bring them before you. And here's the thing. We will always have to battle this. I mentioned a rough patch a few years ago, but it still gets me down today if I lose sight. God knows. Turn back to Him, and He'll set your path straight.

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for bringing the agreements I have held so tightly, unknowingly, to my attention. Thank you for the grace to work with them gently, to help me understand how free you desire me to live without the lies betraying me. Heal my heart as I seek to understand Your truth. Speak to my spirit the depth of Your truth and Your love. Let me feel the abundance of Your incredible freedom as we break these agreements in their tracks.

Scripture obtained from

New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011

Amplified Bible (AMP)

Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631.