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Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Overcome the Lie: 40 Day Challenge

I’m in a funk right now. I just feel blah. Blah about myself, blah about everything. And I have so many things to be thankful for, but some days I choose to focus more on the things that bring me down. I hate those days with a passion. I hate that I allow myself to be consumed by feelings of mediocrity and that I actually begin to believe those ugly little lies I tell myself.
 
I have a topic I want to promote today: Overcome the Lie. I was recently introduced to this site and have been fascinated by the movement. Maybe you are getting sick of my self help babble, that’s understandable...but for those who aren’t, stick around and let this marinate with you today. Maybe you need to hear this too. Have you bought in to the lie that hope is lost or ever feel like you're fighting a losing battle? How many times in your life, have you allowed others to shape your own opinion of yourself?? There are plenty of ways we allow the enemy to bring us down.

Personally, I have struggled with bashing myself. I am guilty of buying into the lies that I'm not good enough. I have people in my life who have said hurtful, awful things about me and tried to twist my character around, but those people are nothing to me. I am usually able to tune them out, but how do you tune out yourself? Some days I can, and some days (like right now) I totally believe into all the negativity. Maybe for you it's the opposite and other people affect you more. Either way, those are distorted versions of ourselves.

A perfect example is where I'm at right now in my own life. I have made the decision to stay single during this transition period. I've also allowed myself to gain 35-40lbs. Sometimes those are sensitive topics for me. I try to  be open and transparent here on my blog because I know it can help people, but it's not always easy to put it out there. I have grown in so many ways, but I still beat myself up.  I feel lonely sometimes, or not worthy. Often I tell myself that I am too chubby to date right now, I'm not as pretty as "her" or I'll be single forever. And even though those little comments seem harmless - especially when made in a joking manner - they really kinda hurt when they all add up.

So back to the self help stuff...Overcome the Lie is doing a 40 day prayer challenge starting Feb. 1st. I was allllll over this when I saw it! I love a good challenge and I can definitely use more accountability with my personal prayer time. My goal for this challenge is to focus on seeing myself how God sees me, even on my ugly days. If I want to be able to accomplish the amazing things God has planned for me, I have to see myself the way He sees me.

No matter where you are in your relationship with God - this is a great opportunity to take a leap of faith. I promise you will be surprised how much you can stretch yourself in just 40 days. Maybe you just need to meet new people and know you are being prayed for. The OTL ladies have NOT in any way asked me to promote this challenge, I just wanted to share the info with you. And there's still time to sign up, all you have to do is email them at: info@overcomethelie.org. I'm excited to see what the next 40 days holds for me!

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25 comments:

Amanda aka Manda said...

I give into the same lies myself. It's hard not to when people say things or when you have convinced yourself it is true! I love your goal and have a similar one myself. But love, you are so beautiful, inside and out! I pray everyday that you see yourself as I see you and most importantly as God sees you! I can't wait to see where this challenge leads us and am so glad we are doings this together!!!!

P!nky said...

What a great challenge. It's so easy to talk ourselves down, because we don't have to say it out loud to anyone. I'm guilty of many of the lies you've mentioned, but that's just the devil making me feel badly about myself.

You are beautiful and worthy and wonderful!

Dee Stephens said...

I was where you are now the 2-years after I broke up with my boyfriend of 4 years. I gained a ton of weight and just was down in the dumps.
I know people might jump all over me for this, but friend gave me a book she read, and it really motivated me to get my butt in shape and happy about life in general.
It's Janis Spindal's 'Getting Serious about Getting Married.'

A lot of it is 'pull your boot strings up' type of stuff. Just throwing it out there :) I met my husband probably 6-months after reading it and applying it.

Ashley - Married to the Game said...

I just came across your blog and I'm happy that I found it just in time to see this post! I've been in a funk lately too. Maybe we can help one another out of the funk! I love the blog and I'm excited to follow along :)

Life of a Little Songbird said...

This is awesome! I know what you mean about being down on yourself. I have let myself gain some weight since I got married. I make those jokes about myself and act like I dont really mean them. But I do & they do really hurt myself. They make me have a bad view of myself. So I am trying to do better. With positive thoughts & taking care of myself. Not just for my husband. But for me myself. I want to be the best version of myself... You're a beautiful person inside & out! When life gets rough thats when God swings in & really shows up in your life. Keep on going girl! You got this!

Kathy@MoreCoffeeLessTalky said...

it's normal to feel a little down about yourself once in a while. but remember that you are the master of your domain, the creator of your own happiness! don't let those feelings of self-doubt control your moves/life/thoughts because that's a slippery slope. it's easier to think about these things than *do something about them*. as an example, i let my own unhappiness about my weight control any attempts at getting healthy FOR SEVEN YEARS. omg when i think back to that, to all that time, that's SEVEN YEARS WASTED when all i really needed was to push my negative thoughts aside and just get the f*ck up and do something.

so i applaud you for trying to get rid of the negatives and focus on the positives. you can do this -- everyone can :)

-kathy | <a href = "http://www.lifeinprogress.ca>Vodka and Soda</a>

Emily Hornburg said...

This sounds awesome! I am definitely checking this out because I know I get into the same funks and get down on myself and buy into those lies.

Tracy said...

DONE!!! Oh I'm so excited, this will be great for all of us! Don't get down girl, we all have our moments and will continue to have them. This challenge will be awesome, I can feel it! :)

Anonymous said...

I love you.
I feel like the more I read your blog the more I find that we are EXTREMELY alike. :)

Joey Hodges said...

Settle in sister because I'm afraid this might be a crazy long comment. You hit everything RIGHT ON THE HEAD with me today. I can't even begin to express to you how much I've been struggling lately with being at peace with exactly who I am. To finding the strength to just allow myself to be me and let that be enough. I am constantly comparing myself to other people. I let myself worry that no matter what I'm "good" at, there is always someone who does it better so why should I even bother? It's why I haven't blogged much lately. Because why would someone take the time to read my crappy little blog when there are so many others out there who are much cuter, wittier, more purposeful than me. The other day I was simply sweeping the floor and had a thought. I'm here for a reason. I was made as I am for a reason. I'm not exactly sure WHAT that reason is--but all this self bashing I've been doing lately almost feels like an insult to God and my parents. And even to the people who love me. I have people in my life who actually happen to like who I am--so by saying that I don't think I'm "good enough" insults their taste. Right? It insults God's creation. It insults the hard work my parents put into raising me to be exactly who I am. I'm with you on this challenge, friend. I need to overcome the lies. I am good enough. YOU are good enough. Let's be enough together.

Nikki said...

I love this! I have to look into this! I may do it as well! You are awesome! Thanks for sharing!

Pamela said...

Ready for these emails to start rolling in! I think as women, we all go through this & say these things to ourselves. It sucks!! But we are all human!

Erin P said...

You are amazing and I know you can overcome any obstacle in your path! I know how those down days go...and they do stink, but you just have to pick yourself back up, dust yourself off and get back to it. I'm here for you if you need anything!

Sarah said...

I am totally guilty of this too! I always bash and feel sorry for myself. We cannot believe in that negativity because were freakin awesome.

DUH!!

LOVE this post. You are a strong beautiful lady and you gotta believe. that

Jordan said...

1) I think as women, we all go through periods of time where we are just unsatisfied with some aspect of ourselves. There is always room for improvement and it's hard not to let that one thought overbear all the positive and recognition of things we have accomplished and should be proud of.

2) I wish we did not live states and states away so I could kick your ass for being so hard on yourself! I truly hope doing this challenge allows you to see yourself how the rest of us see you. You are beautiful, smart, and so unbelievably strong! I look up to you when it comes to overcoming the hardships in life and there have been days where the tiniest piece of advice from you has completely shifted my outlook on things. You rock and I just know that you know that too!

3) I can't wait to follow along on this challenge! Sounds like nothing but good will come of it. <3

Anonymous said...

What a great idea! You are definitely not alone - I get caught up in all that stuff too and hate it!

Kerry @ Till Then Smile Often said...

What a great challenge! I have a hard time beating myself up to about things in my life. What a great way to get back on track! You can do it girl!

Amanda - Voyage of the MeeMee said...

What a great idea! I think it's so hard for women in general these days. You're constantly shown these images of what a perfect woman or life looks like and when you don't live up to THAT you feel inadequate... I've been there before myself, several times - you're not alone! :)

Kellee the Caffeinated said...

What a great movement!!!

Ashley Robyn said...

As woman, I think we've gotten accustomed to bashing ourselves. Our phones and digital cameras have given us the option to look at a picture and point out every flaw. We use to take a picture and never think twice about it. You are going to do great things. The first step is realizing there are things you want to change friend. Love you and your heart!

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Audra said...

This is awesome! I love the idea of seeing yourself as God sees you... how amazing would it be if we could really do that???

Jess @ Operation Skinny Jeans said...

Negativity will eat us up. I love the idea of this and i can't wait to see you on the other side of it. Know that until you can truly love yourself, you can't accept love from others. You can do it!

Ash said...

I love this! What a fabulous idea!

chantal marie said...

a very positive way to handle a difficult time. good for you!!