Last time, we examined the first step in overcoming anxiety and depression – acknowledging your role in the problem. This week, we’ll delve into the next step – identifying the lies you have believed.

Fear is a liar. It’s the opposite of faith. Satan tried to invoke fear in Eve when he led her to believe God was holding out on her (Genesis 3:1-5). Fear takes our focus off of the Lord and puts it on ourselves, our circumstances, or other people. For example, Peter was fine walking on the water to the Lord until he took his eyes off of Jesus and onto the waves (John 14:22-31).

First you need to make a list of the fears/negative thoughts you believe – For example, “What if I lose my job?” “I am no good, no one will ever love me.” “My family hates me.” “I am ugly.” “I’m going to fail at …”.

Second, go back over each fear/negative thought. Get to the root of the thought. This is crucial. For example, if your negative thought is, “My family hates me,” ask yourself what is really at the root of that thought – “I’ll be all alone,” “I feel rejected.” Then write a Scripture verse that tells you the truth of who you are in Christ. A possible verse might be “I will never leave your nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). Search online for verses related to your underlying fear, and I guarantee you’ll find some.

Don’t get caught up in if the initial negative thought or lie is true, but get underneath it and compare it with Scripture. Again, the root cause is the issue. For example, maybe you feel you are a few pound overweight and would like to lose weight. Instead of believing the lie “I’m ugly and fat,” get underneath it. Does God say you’re ugly? What’s really the truth here?

Finally, after you’ve found verses that deal with each individual fear, write out the truth for yourself – “My family may forsake me, but my God never will, and He has good plans for me. He will show me how to continue to be a light to my family.” “I am beautifully and wonderfully made, and my body is God’s temple. I am going to take care of it and celebrate how miraculous it is.” Make it simple and based upon Scripture.

As you do this for each lie you’ve believed, you’ll begin to feel the burden fall away. God is back on His throne in your heart, and the fear is squelched.

Where we sometimes get tripped up is when we actually did something that goes against the Word – lying, cheating, lusting, etc. “I am a liar,” “I am an adulterer.” As Christians, we are no longer defined by our sin, we are defined by Jesus’ blood, and His righteousness is now credited to us. God no longer sees our sin. The Spirit convicts, but He never condemns (Romans 8:1). So again, get to the root of the thought – the lie “I am no good” just doesn’t have a place in God’s kingdom.

One final note – I highly recommend that before you start this process, you take some time to dwell on God’s love. Write our Scripture verses, read passages like Romans 8, worship, whatever you have to do to get your mind focused on God’s immense, immeasurable love for YOU.

Right here guys is the key to overcoming anxiety – you MUST address the lies head-on. You can’t dance around this. I am speaking to myself here. I have to periodically do this exercise. It’s now getting to the place where I am able to receive God’s truth and the lies are gone.

Start off the new year by dealing with the lies, and embrace His freedom.

I want to credit Kerri Kenyon, author and counselor, for many of the insights in this post.