“…let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us…” (Hebrews 12:1)
Last year for me was a season of many powerful breakthroughs. So many revelations occurred. God began to teach me how to renew my mind by exposing false narratives that had been controlling me through my thought-life. As I began this new year, God reminded me that it’s important that I continue to renew my mind by replacing the negative thoughts with the truth of His word. He reminded me of a particular section of Hebrews 12:1 and took me deeper.
Lay aside the weight…that so easily ensnares us: The word ‘weight’ means ‘hindrance’, or ‘burden’. Hindrance means the state of being interfered with, held back, or slowed down. God showed me it’s time to lay aside every limiting belief that is holding me back from doing/being all He has called me to. Limiting beliefs like Insecurity and Poverty Mentality. These two are the biggest in my life right now, and they go deep.
We all have insecurities, but we should not allow them to control us or hinder us. We must rebuke those negative and unhealthy thoughts and replace them with God’s word: “I am fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14); “For I know the plans I have for you’, declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11). God has a destiny and plan for each one of us, which the enemy does not want us to fulfill. With limiting thoughts like: “you’re not good enough”, “you’re not qualified”, “you’re not attractive”, “you’re not smart enough”, or any other thought that taps into our insecurities, they can hinder us or slow us down. We end up focusing on these thoughts instead of focusing on what God said about us and moving forward with what He told us to do. So this year, I’m going to continue being vigilant about examining my thoughts. If I start to entertain negative thinking, I’m going to be even more intentional about rebuking them and declaring the truth of God’s word. I will not allow my insecurities to hinder me any longer.
The Poverty Mentality goes back several generations in my family, and for valid and painful reasons. The mindset of ‘lack’ or ‘not enough’ has permeated every area of not only my life, but my family’s life. It is most evident in the way I look at my finances. The root of fear of not having enough goes so deep that even though God broke that spirit over my life last year, it still tries to have it’s grip on me today. But God is showing me that although He delivered me from this hindering spirit, I must now renew my mind with every situation that involves me spending money – especially spending more money than I am comfortable spending. It even connects to they way I give my tithes and offering each week.
Last week, I had to buy a new pair of eyeglasses and wanted to get prescription sunglasses as well. With all the add-ons like progressive lens instead of a bifocal lens, anti-glare, and scratch-resistance, even with insurance the total bill was exceedingly more than I anticipated spending. Immediately my heart was gripped with fear of not having enough money to pay for both glasses, and I even entertained the thought of not getting the sunglasses though I really wanted them. Then I heard God whisper to me “It’s okay, I got you”. He quickly showed me I was walking in limited thinking because I thought the money I was about to spend was all that I would ever have – ever. He reminded me that He is my provider and the source for everything I need in my life, and I will ALWAYS have enough – more than enough really. So I pushed through my fear and bought both pairs of glasses.
Just yesterday, I took my car to the dealer for routine maintenance. I thought I was only going to get a regular oil change, and already had an amount in mind that I was anticipating to spend. But I didn’t know that it was time for my car to have its first major service performed, which meant I would be spending a lot more than I planned. A lot more. Again, the fearful thought of lack crept in, and for a few seconds I began to panic. But again, God reminded me that this his how I continue to renew my mind from this powerful hindering mentality. He reminded me I must continue to put all of my faith and trust in Him, and that He promised to supply all of my needs. He also reminded me of Psalm 23:1 “The Lord is my Shepherd, I lack nothing“, and Psalm 34:9-10 “…there is no want to those who fear Him. The young lions lack and suffer hunger, but those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing“.
I’m so thankful that God loves me so much that He did not want me to begin the year reverting back to my old unhealthy and unprofitable ways of thinking. He is doing a new thing in my life, and is taking me to new, amazing, and exciting levels. But I cannot bring these (or any other) hindering thought with me, nor allow it to ensnare me. I want to be all that God has called me to be, and do all that He’s called me to do. To fulfill my destiny, I must see myself the way He sees me. I must think higher so that I can go higher.
Heavenly Father, I thank You for Your word, which is alive, truth, and all-powerful. Thank you for opening my eyes to see my life the way You see it. Thank You for taking me higher in You. Thank You for breaking the shackles of every limiting belief that is attempting to hinder me from moving forward in You. I declare that I am free, and will walk firmly and boldly in my freedom in Jesus’ name, Amen.
