Oct 1, 2017

The Voices, Unfriending The Inner Critic

The Ouch Moment

I recently came across a question that rocked me to my core. It simply asked, “If you had a friend who spoke to you the same way you speak to yourself in your head, how long would you allow that person to be your friend?” OUCH.

Inner Voices

We all have that voice in our heads speaking to us all the time. It’s the core of what we are really thinking. What we believe. How we see ourselves. How we believe others see us. It’s in those inner voices that I personally find the most critical messages that I believe about myself. Have you ever experienced that? Social media is the virtual landmine I tend to fall into if I am not careful. Things can go downhill pretty quickly as I am inclined to go on a scroll fest and then be sucked into hearing the voice questioning my abilities and comparing myself to others. Oh, how I hate to admit that but it is the truth. I would question everything from my parenting skills, being a wife and homemaker, if I am cut out to be a successful business owner, or if I was a good friend to others. That’s the short list. I have even questioned if I was “Christian” enough if I wasn’t pouring my entire life out for the sake of the gospel. I would hear that I needed to be “fruitful” in all of my works. Whatever that even means. It came down to striving and trying to prove something to others and myself that I am enough. I. AM. ENOUGH. I was so desperate to believe this that I even bought the t-shirt. See Exhibit A below…

And yet, I have this nagging voice that would keep rearing its ugly head telling me that no matter what I do or what I did, it was never enough. Telling me that I would NEVER be enough. After falling short despite my best attempts, which typically occurs on a daily basis, I realize that I allowed this voice to become a part of who I was. For years, this voice has tried to dictate who I am, my identity. Have you ever heard the subtle inner whispers that make you question who you are? If so, how in the world do we overcome the negative chatter in our minds? The Voice of Truth

There is a song that comes on the radio that speaks so loudly to my soul as it relates to this nagging voice in my head. A song by Casting Crowns called, “Voice of Truth”. Oh what I would do to have The kind of faith it takes To climb out of this boat I'm in onto the crashing waves.

To step out of my comfort zone Into the realm of the unknown where Jesus is.

And He's holding out His hand But the waves are calling out my name. And they laugh at me.

Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed The waves they keep on telling me Time and time again, "Boy, you'll never win!"

"You'll never win!" I am so glad that the song does not end there. It continues by saying… But the Voice of Truth tells me a different story. The Voice of Truth says, "Do not be afraid!"

And the Voice of Truth says, "This is for My glory"

Out of all the voices calling out to me I will choose to listen and believe the Voice of Truth It’s choosing to disregard all the voices from society and in our own heads and pivoting to listen and believe the Voice of Truth. Romans 12:2 tells us, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind…” The voices that I hear that replay in my mind, I have a choice to believe them or not. The problem comes into play when I don’t realize that what I believe is actually a lie a not truth at all. My mind must be renewed continually and saturated with the truth of God’s word in order to detect and know what is truth. The Invitation

I’m finding myself on this journey to change the narrative of what voice plays in my head. I’m inviting you to join me. It’s time to end the friendship with the voices in our heads that tear us down and tries to rob us of our true identities. It’s time to walk in sweet communion with the One who calls us friend (John 15:15). As we quiet ourselves before Abba Father and rest in the truth of His word, let it set us free from any voice that is NOT the Voice of Truth.

Your Response

Outside of the Scriptures, what has Love used primarily to empower you to confront your inner critic voice with the Voice of Truth? (music, poetry, writing, silence, prayer, nature, exercising, etc.)

To connect further with my dear friend, the fierce and fragile soul of Chelsea Johnson, visit, www.ChelseaJohnson.com.