PART 2
There is a difference between telling yourself what you want to be true and telling yourself what is true.
The world has plenty to say about who we are, what we can do, what we should fear, and what our future might look like.
And then there is the Word of God.
In John 18, Pontius Pilate asks Jesus a question that still echoes through our world today:
“What is truth?”
The world is still asking.
Sometimes telling yourself the truth means recognizing the thought running through your mind and answering it with what God has already said.
Not pretending the circumstance isn’t real.
Not ignoring the hard thing.
But refusing to let fear, disappointment, or discouragement have the final word.
Here’s some good news….
We aren’t left to figure out truth on our own.
Jesus promised us the Spirit of Truth, saying, “He will guide you into all truth.” (John 16:13)
So when the world asks, What is truth?
We don’t have to search for the answer in every voice, opinion, headline, or feeling.
We turn to Jesus. (That should be our default heart posture)
Because truth isn’t simply an idea to believe.
Truth has a name. Jesus!
and Jesus said:
“I AM the way, and the truth, and the life.”
- John 14:6
So when Anxiety or Fear Comes:
And starts telling you that you have to figure everything out, go back to what God has already said:
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God… will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
- Philippians 4:6–7
I don’t have to figure everything out today.
I can pray.
I can give it to God.
I can trust Him to guard my heart and mind with a peace that may not make sense according to my circumstances.
Fear doesn’t have to rule me.
“For God gave us a spirit NOT of fear BUT of power and love and self-control.”
- 2 Timothy 1:7
When Things Feel Too Far Gone:
Sometimes the hardest truth to hold onto is that God can bring good from something He never authored.
Read that again.
We live in a world of free will, and a fallen world that doesn’t know it can be free, where things happen that God never intended for us. Not everything that happens is something God planned for us to learn from.
Jesus Himself said:
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.”
- John 10:10
And Scripture tells us that our adversary “prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)
God isn’t a game player who makes us suffer so He can teach us a lesson.
He doesn’t have to cause the pain to bring purpose from it.
Read that again.
Jesus was and is the only sacrifice for our salvation.
And God can take what He never authored and still redeem or restore it, if we let Him. (Read part 1)
So when unbelief says, “It’s gone too far,” tell yourself this truth:
God didn’t cause it, but He can still redeem and restore it.
Whatever “it” is for you.
And when defeat or hopelessness come:
Tell yourself the truth:
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
- Romans 8:28
So when lies of lack try and come:
Tell yourself the truth:
God provides
- Philippians 4:19 says “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
- Matthew 6:31–33 says “Jesus tells us not to worry about what we will eat, drink, or wear, because our Father knows what we need. “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
- Psalm 23:1 says “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.”
- 2 Corinthians 9:8 says “God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.”
Fear doesn’t have to rule me
- Isaiah 41:10 says “Fear not, for I am with you… I will strengthen you, I will help you.”
- Psalm 34:4 says “I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.”
- Hebrews 13:5–6 says “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Therefore, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear.”
Trust instead of striving
- Proverbs 3:5–6 says “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.”
- Matthew 6:34 says “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.”
- Psalm 37:25 says “I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread.”
Not “nothing difficult will ever happen.” Not “God will give me everything I want.” But a deep confidence that God is not withholding good from you, and you don’t have to live as though you are abandoned to figure out provision on your own.
So let’s do a short recap, and write those scriptures above down. Memorize them. Make them the well you draw from.
Maybe telling yourself the truth doesn’t mean pretending everything is okay. It means recognizing the thought running through your mind and answering it with what God has already said.
And when you don’t know what to believe, go back to Jesus has to say…
“I AM the way and the truth and the life.”
- John 14:6
Jesus is Truth, and He has given us the Spirit of Truth to guide us into all truth. (John 16:13)
So don’t just tell yourself what you want to be true.
Tell yourself what God has said is true.
The word of God is alive, I pray today you search it, study it and believe it for yourself❤️
