Creepy Limiting Beliefs
Limiting beliefs capture us without our consent.
Before we know it, we've adopted a belief as truth and adapted ourselves to living by its tyranny.
Any place we say "if only" or "I wish I could" is a signal we're running up against the creeping hedge of a limiting belief. But we can break free. In fact, we must.
I talk about 2 Corinthians 10:5 a lot because it is one of those scriptures that got stuck into a particular framework of spiritual warfare, when it really is a resource for our everyday life. In the Message version, it reads like this...
We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ.
WOW! "Fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ." Powerful. Transformational. And a key for cutting through all the limiting beliefs which want to wrap themselves around us. Think of it as a supernatural hedge trimmer.
BREAKING THE POWER OF THE LIMITING BELIEF
Step #1: Dare to Dream
Here's the first question for you... what might be possible if you got rid of just ONE of your limiting beliefs?
What else could develop if you had freedom in just that one area? How would your life shift? What impact would it have on your family, your job, your ministry?
When we risk dreaming big, it hacks away at the vine of unbelief, doubt, and fear. Fear withers in the presence of faith and hope.
Step #2: Identify the Source
And here's the next... what thought is it? I'm guessing you know. We say we don't know what's holding us back, but deep in our core, the dark, squiggly place, we know exactly what yells at us from the other side of the hedge.
It's bringing it out into the light that's the scary part.
Luke 8:17 says,
"For nothing is hidden that will not be revealed, nor anything secret that will not be known and come to light.".
Because the first step to breaking free is exposing the creeping vine of fear that holds us captive. It's time to turn on the light.
Step #3: Refuse to Replant
Once we dream about the possibilities, and confront the source of the belief, we have to make a life-changing decision.
We either continue to live cowering beneath the vine of limits, or shelter under the wings of the Almighty (Psalm 91).
We have a choice.
Once we see the beliefs and patterns for what they truly are, we can either choose to move forward into freedom. Or stay back.
In the beginning, it's easier to stay put. Comforted by, and comfortable with, the thoughts, we wrap them around our shoulders.
But eventually, the beliefs strangle our arms and legs, our feet and hands, our heart and mind. We look out at the world from behind a veil that doesn't sustain or nourish us. In fact, our limiting beliefs have become like the charming but deadly English Ivy.
An English Ivy climbs trees and buildings. And yes, it is marvelous to behold. Yet the ominous truth is that the ivy grows INTO the tree and steals the sustenance the tree needs to live. It's a parasite. And on a tower or home or fence, it burrows into the matrix of the structure; weakening it until it crumbles.
Or perhaps you've heard of the Kudzu vines of Asia which are destroying Southern states. They 'out compete' native foliage, stealing away the nutrients so that only it survives.
The only way to eradicate these parasitic vines is to dig them out at the roots, and relentlessly destroy every shoot that rears its head. The same for limiting beliefs.
What to Do with Limiting Beliefs
First things first, show yourself some compassion. We all carry limiting beliefs. Most of them begin in our childhood. They are familiar friends. The very first stop on the Journey to Wholeness is to recognize the beliefs. Only then can we experience transformation.
Next, once you identify the limiting beliefs - by introspection and bringing your life to the Presence of the Lord and His Word, then you can begin the work of unraveling and rooting them out. It takes time, but it is possible.
Lastly, refuse to give them a home. Once you identify them and begin the work of eradication, you'll reach places of legitimate freedom. It's easy to get lazy. And before you know it, those thoughts and beliefs take over again.
With honesty, diligence, and care, you can walk free. And after all, isn't that why Jesus came? To set the prisoners free?
Let's Talk About It
As a Christian coach, I specialize in working with Christian women. Helping you to break past the lies of the enemy, and break through to the fullness of God's plan and purpose for your life. Schedule your complimentary call today.
