For years, I made decisions based on what I believed.

I believed I had to look a certain way.

I believed I had to be a certain weight.

I believed I had to dress just right.

I believed I needed to have the perfect house.

I believed that if I could be as close to perfect as possible, people would accept me.

I believed that shopping and drinking was a healthy way to deal with anger.

I believed that I deserved to be happy.

I believed all of these things…and I battled depression, anxiety, and insecurity. Then, I completely train wrecked my life with the decisions that I made based on those beliefs.  

It turns out, just because you believe something doesn’t mean it’s true.

For instance, you can believe you are Superman, but that doesn’t mean you can fly.

 

There is a big difference between building your life on your beliefs and building your life on truth.

 

Here’s what I have learned: building your life on your beliefs only works if those beliefs line up with the truth. In order to build a life based on truth, you have to know the truth.

My beliefs look totally different these days for one reason:

I spend an enormous amount of time in the truth, studying God’s word. And my beliefs are based solely on the principals that I find there, not based on what the world tells me I should believe. The Bible, the absolute truth, is my biggest influence.

Now, I believe in:

Hallowing God’s name above anything else.

Seeking his will and his kingdom above my own.

Putting others before myself.

Loving friends and enemies alike.

Giving grace away like candy.

Worrying about the condition of my heart more than my appearance.

Being confident in how God made me.

Storing treasures in heaven instead of on earth.

Relying on the Holy Spirit to help me navigate hard times.

Taking up my cross and following him no matter the cost.

 

Building a life based on truth means that not only do I read truth daily, but I am really careful about what other factors I let influence me because: garbage in, garbage out. Even though I know this statement will probably not be popular, I am going to say it: most of what is found on TV, in movies, on secular radio, in video games, and on social media is garbage.

Garbage.

Garbage that is influencing our beliefs. It is subtly convincing us to worry about self, chase unrealistic appearance goals, desire wealth and fame, and pursue happiness (the worldly definition of happiness that is empty and fleeting, not the true joy that is found in Jesus).

None.of.it.is.truth.

Therefore, we must safeguard our minds and our hearts. If a person spends more time taking in the lies of culture than the truth, their beliefs will reflect that influence. If a person spends more time taking in truth than culture, their beliefs will reflect that influence.

Take it from someone who got it wrong before and barely spent any time taking in God’s Word. I spent way more time watching trashy TV shows (anyone remember Desperate Housewives?) and I sought counsel from people who didn’t base their advice on God’s truth. As a result, my emotions were a disaster, my beliefs slowly eroded, and my life crumbled into a giant pile of bad decisions.

Matthew 7:24-27 explains: “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against the house it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against the house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”

I can attest to the truth of that verse.

Just this week I realized that I have spent enough time on social media in the last couple of weeks (thank you winter 2019) that it was influencing me. It made me believe that I deserved better:  a better appearance, a better home, even better kids. I became discontent instead of thankful.

Luckily, my hubby is full of grace. I swear I am no fun to live with in frigid temps. Sorry Babe.

Friends, I encourage you to examine what you believe. I challenge you to check if it lines up with the truth of God’s Word. I implore you to be intentional with your time and take in more truth than you take in culture.

Believe me, it’s worth it.

As always, I love hearing from you. Send me an email of comment below and I will get on my knees for you. Let’s do this faith journey together.