This is a wonderful topic I’ve been wanting to speak on for awhile. It’s a topic I have struggled with and find great value in from the many lessons I’ve learned. I hope this short post helps you too. My goal for you is that you find a greater confidence in your identity in Christ and how that identity is the solid foundation for everything else in your life- athletics, school, work, relationships, etc.

What are self-limiting beliefs?

Self-Limiting beliefs are “negative assumptions, perceptions, or false ideas about oneself and the world that prevent an individual from achieving their full potential or goals.” These beliefs can hinder how you relate to others in relationships, your self-esteem and confidence in the performance arena (ie., work, school, athletics). These beliefs as Christians can be detrimental to our faith. The ‘perceptions’ and ‘assumptions’ can cloud how we view the world and our place in it. Hence the main word ‘limiting.’ Self-limiting beliefs are where the enemy loves to play. He has nothing better to do than to continue whispering these lies in our ears as situations play out and our confirmation bias comes into play. Meaning, when something happens that we assumed would happen due to previous situations that have proved that very assumption, the enemy doesn’t have to work hard to speak these false ideas into existence.

The beautiful thing however is that when it comes to God, there is no limitation within Him. Self-Limiting Beliefs vs. God’s Limitless Truths. As created beings, we have many limits to what we can achieve alone. Our minds are not capable of overriding such unknown territory without someone that has already been there and conquered it. Without God, our beliefs become wrought with emotions that appear like facts when in reality, they’re simply steering us away from the truth. With God, we can trust that God’s word is truth and emotions are there a way to experience the joys and sorrows of life.

How has self-limiting beliefs affected your perception of yourself and others?

For me personally, these beliefs kept me in the dark. I was only capable of seeing the negatives about a situation, myself, or others for the longest time. With my lack of confidence in myself and my abilities without God, I wasn’t able to rise to the role of “Daughter of the King” or “Co-Heir with Christ” like others around me had. Or so it appeared. Self-Limiting beliefs can come from two enemies that I have seen- perfectionism and comparison. I go into these in more detail in a my previous blog post. These two performance killers can birth self-limiting beliefs and strengthen them in a toxic cycle. What I’d like to tell you is it’s very possible to get out of this cycle WITH God. God’s word has the power to break ALL chains and create restoration.

So you’re probably like okay Kels, now what? How do I do that? I’m going to post some examples of self-limiting beliefs and God’s truth next to each other below to show you the difference. I’d suggest journaling these and then coming up with some of your own to start out. Once you do that, I want you to start noting the lies the enemy tells you for the next couple days. Write those down first and then immediately repeat a truth you’ve found out loud. If there’s something I know about spoken word, it’s used as a powerful tool to cut through any lie the enemy tries to create. After doing these simple steps you’ll begin to experience a difference in your thinking and your overall confidence in who you are. Continue building on your habit and don’t stop when you feel great! Keep going and using these tools as spiritual weapons.

1. I am alone. No, God is with me. (Psalm 46:1,11; Matthew 1:23; 28:20)
2. I can’t. No, God can. (Luke 18:27; Philippians 4:13)
3. I am a failure. No, I am a child of God. My identity is found in who God made me to be, not in what I do.
4. Nobody loves me. No, God loves me. (John 3:16)
5. God is punishing me. No, God is patient with me. (Romans 5:3-52, Peter 3:9)

-Resource: https://philressler.com/25-limiting-beliefs-empowering-truths/

If you’d like to dive even deeper into this tool through a devotional, comment “truth” below and I will send you my FREE Self-Limiting Beliefs vs. God’s Truth worksheet.