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Think back on a time when you were not chosen. Maybe it was as early as elementary school when you were playing Red Rover and were the last one picked to be sent over—or maybe it was kickball. Or perhaps you’re grown now and weren’t invited on an outing with people you thought were your friends. Whatever it is, I want you to think back to that moment right now. What comes up in you?
If nothing comes up—no hurt, sadness, or sting—then I’m glad you haven’t experienced rejection. But my guess is that, at some point, you have. Maybe that rejection led you to believe the lie that you are not loved—that no one will love you, accept you, or want to do life with you.
Or maybe you don’t believe that lie at all. Maybe you believe another one. Maybe you think that if you don’t look a certain way, people won’t accept you. Or that if you don’t work 24/7, you’ll end up under a bridge. Or maybe you believe that God doesn’t really want good things for you.
Let’s sit with that one for a minute—that’s heavy. What happened in your life to make you believe that God doesn’t want good things for you? Was it something that happened that you still don’t understand—something you can’t make sense of why God allowed it?
I want you to know—you’re not alone in these thoughts. In fact, I would hazard a guess that most people, if they were truly and deeply honest, would say they’ve experienced or entertained these thoughts at some point.
Here’s what I’ve discovered about the lies we believe: they are distortions of truth—which is exactly why they’re lies. But think back to one of the first lies Satan told. It wasn’t an outright “You don’t know what you’re doing” or “You’re not good enough” lie. It was, “Has God really said…?” In other words, Satan didn’t come right out and deny God’s truth; he simply planted doubt in Eve’s mind—the doubt of Does God really know what’s best for you? Did He really say that? And when that doubt enters, that’s when strongholds begin to form.
Recently, I was listening to John Eldredge on his Wild at Heart podcast (I’ll link it for you below). He was talking with Susie Larson, and she said something that struck me: “The storms reveal the lies we believe and the truths we need.”
As I reflected on that and connected it to Jesus, I realized how incredibly true it is. When life falls apart, the lies we’ve been believing come to light. When I lost my job due to my PTSD, my first thought was, You’re not good for anything. All you ever wanted to be was a teacher, and now you’re nothing. That was a complete lie—but one I believed.
As I continued listening to the same podcast, Susie shared that she once had a Christian brain scientist on her show while she was walking through her own healing journey. He gave her (and the listeners) this assignment:
If you take just 15 minutes a day for the next 30 days and meditate on the love God has for you—not the love you have for Him, but the love He has for you—your brain will literally look different on a brain scan. You’ll form new neural pathways, your inflammation markers will go down, and you’ll experience a spiritual connection and healing with God.
So, I took that challenge. For the past week, I’ve been doing exactly that, and I can honestly say it’s life-changing. Now, granted, I haven’t had any bloodwork done—but I have a greater sense of peace and a joy that’s hard to explain. There are still a lot of complicated situations in my life right now, and yet I have this deep peace: God loves me. God has good things for me.
I’ve said those words before, and I’ve known them before—but I don’t think I’ve ever meditated on them. I’ve been doing this outside in nature. It’s fall here in the Midwest, and until just recently, it’s been beautiful weather for it. Walking outside with God, surrounded by His creation, has made the experience even more meaningful, and walking actually helps to cement those pathways as well. But you don’t have to be outdoors to have that connection with Him.
I want to leave you with two challenges today:
1. Ask God to reveal the lies you are believing and to show you His truth in Scripture to combat those lies. You might even add to that prayer—ask God to place someone in your life who can help you see those truths and provide verses to stand on.
2. For the next 30 days, spend 15 minutes a day meditating on God’s love for you. As Susie said on the podcast, “Stop scrolling on your phone, take 15 minutes, and focus on the love God has for you.”
I also encourage you to journal during this time so you can look back and see how God changes your thinking—how He helps you combat lies, break these strongholds, and deepen your connection with Him.
I guarantee you, my friend, you will find it life-changing. And that’s what helps us go from surviving to thriving with Jesus. That’s the goal of Encouragement in Daily Living and the reason God led me to share with you.
Blessings to you, and have a wonderful day.
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Susan is an author and speaker who loves to share her journey of God’s redemption and encourage others as they look to God. As a former elementary teacher with a passion for teaching, Susan also owns her own tutoring and consulting business where she empowers students and parents in reading. She lives in Missouri with her adorable and grumpy Persian cat.
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Capture the words that move your heart, the verses that speak to your soul, and the prayers that shape your week—all in one beautiful journal designed to deepen your walk with God.
Feel inspired after church—but forget the message by Monday? The 52-Week Sermon Notes Journal helps you hold onto every truth that touches your heart. With guided pages for sermon details, key Scriptures, reflections, and personal prayers, this elegant faith journal turns listening into lasting growth. Perfect for Sunday services, Bible studies, or devotion time, it invites you to record, reflect, and respond to God’s Word each week. Thoughtfully designed with a soft matte cover and organized layout, it’s a meaningful tool for deepening your faith—or a perfect gift for the women in your life who love God’s Word.
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Wild at Heart Podcast mentioned in this post.
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