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Brave Woman, Mighty GodSample

Brave Woman, Mighty God

DAY 3 OF 4

Call Out the Lies

As I rounded the corner, I heard a thud and glanced over to see one nonfat caramel latte and two almond milk mochas had tipped over in the passenger seat of my husband’s new car. How could you be so foolish? How could you let this happen? Why are you so irresponsible? I heard a voice sneering inside my head. Which really weren’t questions, but accusations.

No one else was in the car. The voice wasn’t what anyone in my family would say to me. Did you notice the words? Foolish. Irresponsible. You. You. You. None of which were true. It wasn’t my fault. It was an accident. I hadn’t been foolish or irresponsible. The coffees were in a drink carrier that I had set upright on a flat surface. The cups had lids. But the enemy’s aim is to make us feel like we aren’t good enough. He’ll do whatever it takes to pepper blame, shame, and guilt into our thought patterns. Which is the opposite of what God does. I am not the first person that sneaky snake has tried this on. I’m betting he’s tried it on you. And his tactics go way back to the very beginning.

God created Eve in His own image. He blessed her and her husband, Adam. He told them to fill the earth and subdue it. He gave them the power to rule over the earth. And then after declaring everything else He had created as “good,” God called man and woman, “very good.”

Adam and Eve were living in the actual Garden of Eden—paradise. What a life! But then the serpent found Eve one day and slithered in. “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” (Genesis 3:1)

God didn’t say anything like that. But the enemy was crafty. He twisted words to make them confusing. God told Adam and Eve they could eat any fruit that had seeds (meaning it could create more fruit). I’m picturing peaches, plums, cherries, and oranges. God never said, “You must not eat from any tree.”

But the seed of doubt was planted in Eve’s mind. She tried to correct Satan, “Wait. God said we can eat fruit from the trees, but . . .” As she considered the question, she remembered there was one thing God wouldn’t let her do. “God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die’” (vs. 2–3).

And then that serpent had Eve where he wanted her. He tricked her into saying God wouldn’t let her do something—as if God was keeping her from something good. The enemy inserted doubt and twisted it around. Why, if God loved Eve, would He not let her have everything?

But the truth was that God loved Eve so much there was only one fruit out of all the fruit she and Adam couldn’t have, and it was only to protect them. Kind of like how I won’t let my daughter with a nut allergy eat a brownie with walnuts sprinkled on top. I’m not denying her. I’m protecting her.

Satan has been inserting doubt into our minds and twisting it around ever since. Oh, you didn’t get the scholarship, promotion, invitation, bigger portion, first choice? Perhaps it’s because you’re not good enough, don’t have what it takes, he whispers.

But God says He loves us, we are His children, part of a royal priesthood, mighty warriors, and made in His image. Which means whatever we do or do not win, earn, or achieve, we are still loved. God still considers us royalty. God still empowers us. So, all that mumbo jumbo about “not enough” from the enemy? It’s ridiculous.

Still, the enemy is relentless. He gets us alone and tells us lies. Big lies. Small lies. Silly ones. Irrelevant ones. Lies that sting like salt in a wound. They sound like questions, but they’re actually accusations. Why didn’t you try harder? What makes you think you're qualified? Do you think anyone really wants to hear/see/try/taste that thing you made, that idea you have? What makes you think it will be better this time? Why didn’t you pipe down, speak out, grow out your bangs?

The enemy is a liar. But the Bible is pure truth. It reminds us: There is no condemnation in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1).

None.

Jesus loves you. Always. Forever. Right here. Right now.

The enemy wants you to lose sight of that.

Don’t listen to him.

Whose voice are you listening to today?

Our mighty God loves you and me with the same perfect love that He had for Eve. Even after everything she had done, He still blessed her and protected her. Let’s listen to God’s loving voice. Make it the loudest one in our heads. He frees us from shame and invites us into an abundant life. Stand up. Lift your head. Take a step forward. Oh, and yeah, tell the enemy he’s a liar.

Reflection:

What are you focusing on today? The smokescreen the enemy has put before you? Or the truth of who God created you to be?

What are some current thoughts you have about yourself? Eve learned the hard way that the serpent likes to whisper lies and accusations. Let’s combat the lies that bombard us by speaking out loud the verses below. If any of the thoughts in the previous question were negative, write one of these verses over it. Maybe make one of these verses your new screensaver or write it on a note card and stick it to your mirror.

I am made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27).

I am Christ’s prized possession, a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9).

I am Christ’s masterpiece (Ephesians 2:10).

God has plans to prosper me (Jeremiah 29:11).

God promises to never leave me (Hebrews 13:5).

About this Plan

Brave Woman, Mighty God

The bravery to live a life worth living doesn’t come from following five easy steps, reading a book, or redecorating your house. You get your power, joy, purpose, self-worth, and the bravery to live it all out directly from Jesus. Through the stories of the women of the Bible, we see that God can be encountered no matter who you are, what your status is, or where you live. Whether you're tackling huge obstacles or just going about your day-to-day, Jesus equips and encourages you to do incredible things for your good and His glory.

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We would like to thank Laura L. Smith for providing this plan. For more information, please visit: https://www.laurasmithauthor.com/