I think so much of the pain, angst, and discomfort we experience as humans comes from losing sight of what’s true. When we attempt to stand, walk or run on this journey, but do so on a path that is not sewn with truth, we slip and stumble into heartache and confusion.
Anxiety about the future flares its head when our grasp of a Jehovah God is disrupted.
Self-doubt and shame is consuming when our true identity becomes blurred.
Relationships are severed when we misunderstand one another’s genuine intentions.
When the truth is obscured, we are left with a patchwork of attempts to rewrite the story that most often produces hurt and misalignment.
One of our kiddos recently approached Mike and I, to share about an incident at school where another student spoke to them unkindly. We processed through feelings of sadness, anger and hurt, until eventually reaching a point of being ready to move on. The vehicle to transition our kiddo out of their place of pain and into peace was to intentionally think about what they knew to be true about themselves. They recited different truths alongside us… “I am strong,” “I am kind,” “I am athletic,” “I am funny,” “I am loved.” While their hurt feelings were valid, the realignment with truth is what allowed them to be grounded in their identity and to experience courage and confidence as they moved throughout their day.
As we consider that centering our thoughts and experience in what is true can be an absolute source of healing and peace, what could be more loving than to speak truth over one another and over ourselves? It is out of God’s deep and abundant love for us that he showers our hearts and minds with the truth. As Aaron referenced in his previous post on “Truthing in Love,” this concept of truth is about more than the correct, spoken word. It’s about taking action and a specific way of life. Proclaiming and inviting truth into the life of another or into our own hearts is an act of affirmation and declaring that there is goodness. Speaking and living truth is a gesture of love.
Our family attended a concert last weekend that featured Cory Asbury, a favorite in our home. Shiloh and I sat closely snuggled together and basked in the love that echoed throughout the auditorium, as Cory belted out what we know to be true:
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God. Oh, it chases me down, fights 'til I'm found, leaves the ninety-nine.
And my story isn't over, my story's just begun. And failure won't define me 'cause that's what my Father does.
You know what I need before I even ask a thing.
And You hold me in Your hands,
With a kindness that never ends.
I'm carried in Your love no matter what the future brings.
Next time you experience hardship, impossible questions, or overwhelming emotions, I invite you to pause and consider: what do you know to be true? Allow the true identity that Jesus claimed for you to envelop you with his love.
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
About the Author
Britni is a quiet but fearless spirit who is earnestly seeking the beauty of the redemption that Jesus has personally determined for her life. Committed to the truth that listening breeds understanding and understanding results in compassion, she clings to the power of life’s stories. She has embarked on the venture of discovering her own story and lending an ear to the stories lived out in others and savors the trace of Jesus that is woven throughout them all. Currently, that journey has landed her in a balancing act between the role of wife, momma, and a mental health Care Coordinator.