Restoring Your Soul - Living a Limitless LifeSample

Our Beliefs Impact Our Identity

Our beliefs, both spiritual and intellectual, govern how we think. Our thinking governs how we feel. How we feel governs how we act. How we act over an extended time will determine our destiny!

Beliefs → Thoughts → Feelings → Actions = Destiny!

Restricting is defined as “to confine within bounds: Restrain.” False beliefs, based on our negative experiences, are restrictive. They cause us to put on blinders, develop tunnel vision, and only think, feel, and act according to those beliefs.

It is vital to recognize how our life experiences impact our thinking. How we interpret our life events, the conclusions we draw based on the messages we receive, and the lessons we learn about ourselves, relationships, and the world around us become encoded within us and then dictate the direction of our lives.

What do you believe about yourself? What messages did you receive about your value or worth growing up?

When you internalize negative messages, whether direct or indirect, your belief may become, “I am stupid,” “I am incapable,” and “I am bad.” The thoughts that transpire from those beliefs can be, “I am different than others,” “I will always be alone,” or “I won’t ever succeed.” The result is feeling shame.

If you believe “I am stupid,” then you may begin to think “I won’t ever succeed.” Those thoughts produce a feeling of shame and often result in the action of perfectionism (to compensate for insecurities) or lead to escaping into an addiction.

Our souls aren’t meant to carry lies, and we can’t carry them without it damaging our self-esteem and impacting our future.

What will your destiny be if you don’t challenge the negative messages that have become ingrained within you? The answer varies, but it could result in staying in an abusive relationship or experiencing burnout, depression, or anxiety, to name a few. At the very least, it will mean experiencing much less of the abundant life that God purchased for us when He sent Jesus to give us access to it.

I Invite You to Ask Yourself:

1. What messages (spoken or unspoken) did I receive as a child about my value, worth, or identity?
2. What were the recurring words, phrases, or attitudes from my parents or other adults in my world that shaped how I saw myself?
3. What did my childhood environment teach me about handling mistakes or failure?
4. What beliefs did I form about my ability to succeed, be seen, or make a difference in the world?
5. Do I notice a “default inner voice” that still echoes the messages I heard as a child? If so, what does it usually say?
6. What truths from God’s Word counter those old messages and bring healing to my view of myself?

I Invite You to Pray:

God, help me to be willing to allow you to reveal the truth about what I believe about myself and how that has impacted my life. Give me your Wisdom to see the lies and to understand that as I acknowledge those false beliefs, I can begin to renew my mind with the Truth of Your Word. Thank You that as I make that exchange, it will change my feelings, my actions, and ultimately my destiny! Help me to see that You delight in me! And thank You, Father, that You will continue to restore my soul as I choose to partner with You! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.