Fear is often the result of a false belief that we have hung our hat on. It is based on a lie that has taken root and continues to whisper “not so sweet nothings” in our ear. We fall captive to it and begin to serve the fear. The cycle gets out of control when we make choices based on this fear. Whatever the fear may be, we can be sure that it started with a dent in our self-image.

My bedroom would transform into a theatre with a quick mindset flip. I would fling open both doors of the cubical table that hosted my record player inside its hollowed space along with my 33 and 45 records. Voila, I had music options! I put on my black patent shoes, grabbed a hat, scarf or other accessory from the tub sitting beside the table, jumped up on the table and I was transformed and ready to sing or dance for the always polite and smiling stuffed animal audience! I could do no wrong; there was never failure. Tap dancing to “Just Me and My Shadow” with my black top hat was a personal favorite! It was a perfect environment until we moved out of Grandma’s house.

Various experiences of betrayal, belittlement and exploitation altered who I saw looking back in the mirror. The lies came so fast and furiously that I was convinced I was useless, ugly, worthless, a failure and stupid. Fear of rejection and failure reduced my self-image from a confident 8 year old to a defeated 8 year old in a matter of months. I could do nothing right.

During my Freshman year of college, I read that I was created in the image of God, that I was fearfully and wonderfully made, and that nothing about me could be hidden in the darkness. I began to see that maybe I was worthy, maybe I was beautiful, maybe I was desirable, and maybe I could be captivating if what was written in this Psalm was true!

“For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because
I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.”
Psalms 139:13-14 NIV

The last part of the passage, “I know that full well,” was not something I could say. I did not know that full well nor did I believe what was written for a very long time. When fear rears its ugly head, we need to wage war against it and claim truth. What if we don’t believe the truth or even know what the truth is?

It has taken me over three decades of working through the lies and replacing them with truth to be able to stand in front of the mirror and smile at myself knowing God knit me together and that I am fearfully and wonderfully created by Him and in His image! Have I mastered this truth? No! Do I still have “downer days?” Yes! But they don’t last for long anymore. I have learned to speak truth to myself and claim truth from the scriptures about what GOD says about me rather than what man says (see Truth vs. Lie Scripture Chart below). This is not an excuse to avoid dealing with character flaws or receiving constructive criticism, it is freedom from bondage to lies wrapped in fear that kept me stagnant and paralyzed so that I was ineffective for God’s purposes in my life. Understanding and accepting truth is essential to healing.

The best way to fight fear is with truth; the truth of what Christ says about you! It is my prayer that you will hang your hat on the truth of who God created you to be and in how much he loves you so that you will come to embrace your true worth found only in Christ Jesus.

Joyfully Healing from the Inside Out,

Truth vs. Lie Scripture Chart