I’m a big fan of podcasts. When I’m getting ready in the morning, driving in my car or cleaning my house, there’s a good chance I’m listening to a podcast. I’m such a fan I rarely listen to standard radio or music anymore.
Several of my favorite podcasts feature a host interviewing a guest. They each put their own spin on asking what the guest is really into or liking at the time. My favorite way this question has been asked is: What is giving you life right now?
The past few months I have struggled to answer that question. Many of the things that once brought me joy were no longer life-giving. Not only were things no longer life-giving, I began to believe I wouldn’t find that joy again. Somewhere along the way I had lost the “f” in life and was left leaning on a lie.
First Peter 5:8 tells us we have a very real and present Enemy: “Your adversary the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour.” His one job is to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10).
He is the ultimate Thief, robbing us of our life, leaving us with his biggest weapon—lies. He whispers them quietly into our thoughts until we believe them. As we begin to lose sight of the things that bring us joy, it becomes easier and easier to believe the lies of the Enemy.
Job isn’t going so well? You have no calling.
Marriage is rocky or you’re still single? You’re not lovable.
Not where you thought you’d be at this point in your life? You have no purpose.
Kids are misbehaving? You must not be cut out to be a parent.
The line between lie and life is thin. Even the lowercase letter “f” itself, the difference in the two words, is thin. But the difference it makes is huge. How do we turn from the lies and replace what’s missing from life? Rejecting the fallacies and falsehoods is found in the following, focus and faith.
We allow lies to morph into our truths when we’re not following Christ in all of our ways. Who are we listening to? Where are we turning for guidance? The Lord is able and wants to be our sole and soul guide. Several times in Scripture Jesus says to ask and we shall receive (Matthew 7:7, Matthew 21:22, John 14:14). When we are seeking Jesus, we are following truth
Lies can overshadow our life when our focus is off. The Enemy will do whatever it takes to place our focus more on the struggle than the strength we have in Christ. Placing our focus on Christ’s strength and not our own abilities empowers us to overcome the lies that steal our joy. Philippians 4:13 is a great verse to set our intention on: “I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me.”
Our faith is also our weapon against lies. A strong source of our faith and our truth is Scripture. Our Bibles are filled with life-giving words that can be believed and trusted. Committing these words to memory leads to them being ultimately written on our hearts.
Scripture memory can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. There’s no need to begin by trying to memorize all 118 verses of Psalm 119. Start small. Use the index of your Bible or Google to find a Scripture matching the lie you battle and memorize just that verse. Recalling Scripture, even a phrase a truth, can be a source of life. Even the smallest arrow can hit its target when aimed correctly.
When we begin to feel as if the “f” in life is dissolving into a lie, it’s good to remember it can be replaced by placing our trust in the Christ we follow, the focus of our strength and the foundation of our faith. When we seek these, what gave us joy before becomes life-giving to us again and enables us to in turn give of our lives.
*All Scripture references are from the Holman Christian Standard Bible unless otherwise noted.