{Be Real} Hang up those thoughts…and Keep Walking

The way he walked into the workout room caught my attention. An older man with gray hair, a long sleeve shirt and Calvin Klein jeans falling off his legs, sneakers, came in gripping a cane. You could tell he’s done this before. He walked with his cane right on over to the treadmill, he hung it up right over the side, started the treadmill, and started walking.

And there I was, out of breath on the elliptical machine, and almost stopped in my tracks.

The way that man walked, knocked the socks off of the way that I was running.

He hung up his cane. And walked.

I was moving, but inside I stood still, applauding that man in my heart.

Because I know how hard it is. To walk, when you just feel like quitting. When you just feel like holding on to that thing, that thought, that gives you enough stability to make it without really stretching yourself and seeing how far you can go.

And yet, our commission as Christians:

“Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin that so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.” (Hebrews 12:2)

How do we do that? Lay aside every weight? We start off running this race, and we realize along the way that we are carrying a whole bunch of things that hold us back. But sometimes, those things actually comfort us and we don’t want to let them go. Or, we just don’t know how to choose anything different.

What is your crutch? What have you clung onto that has held you back from God’s call?

For me, a huge crutch has been destructive thoughts. I’ve listened to the wrong voice and started to believe it, clutching on to it like a hand on a cane. After I started the creative journey, I questioned myself constantly: Can I really do this? Do I have it in me?

That day in the gym, I kept running on the elliptical, but my eyes were fixed on that cane hanging over the side of the treadmill. How the man chose to put it there with such ease. That choice made all the difference.

A few years ago, I attended the Hillsong Colour Conference in London (it’s incredible, totally check it out girls!) and was stunned by Dr. Caroline Leaf. She encouraged a stadium of 5,900 women to pursue freedom in our minds and attack destructive thoughts that do not line up with God’s word. I decided to do her 21 Day Brain Detox program, to attack a destructive thought, “I can’t do this.” I remember thinking this thought multiple times a day, and realized it had to stop. I had to hang it up.

Each morning for 21 days, I worshipped God, prayed over my thought, brought it to my awareness, and chose a thought to replace it. Over time, I realized that my self-doubt was nested in lies I’ve believed my whole life. That I was weak. That I wasn’t as strong of a woman as my mother. And in many ways, I still looked at myself and saw the shy young girl who was always picked last in gym class. The “good” girl who didn’t feel seen because she hid inside herself while doing all the right things. I felt that girl’s blood pulse in my veins all over again.

And through that process of attacking that thought, one day by the morning light, God showed Himself to that little girl inside me. I opened up and let more healing flow down. And something changed – I breathed easier from that day forward.

Sister, the lies we believe are so insidious, they whisper so soft we can hardly hear them. Only when we choose to bring them into the light can God free us.

You’re not alone, sister. I know it’s hard to fight sometimes. But remember, our God is fighting for you. He purchased your freedom and has such great plans for your future!

Our daily work is to make a choice and keep on making it. Take our negative thoughts and just hang them up. Let His healing into our hearts, so we can put on those cute running shoes and walk, run…do whatever we can to get closer to Him.

Each day is a journey. Each day and each season has battles of their own.

But whatever you’re facing, sister, remember that you have the Lord on your side – the One who is never more for you. You are cleansed by His blood. Strengthened by His might. Covered with His grace.

And nothing – absolutely nothing – can separate you from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

“The weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.” (2 Cor. 10:4-5)

“Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom. 8:37-38)

If you feel brave, comment below – I’d love to pray with you for the thoughts you’re battling!