Line upon Line

Satan is always trying to deceive us. Known as Beelzebul, The Father Of Lies, The Devil, and many other names, Satan uses fear to keep us from feeling God’s love.

When Satan makes us feel like we are unworthy and distanced from God, it can impact our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health.

Our spiritual health and wellness can seem so subtle that some people ignore it altogether.

But those who regularly care for their spirits know it leads to more love, tranquility, openness, and clarity.

Researchers are starting to see it as well. The latest studies show that people who regularly care for their spirits experience decreased anxiety and depression, increased resilience, and a heightened sense of purpose.

So how might we recognize some common lies Satan tells us about our relationship with God, and what activities might help us become closer to God and cut through Satan’s lies about us and our inherent value? When we focus on this and take time every day to nurture our spirits, our minds and bodies can feel a more complete sense of wholeness.

Lie #1 – “God doesn’t love me”

God DOES love you. You are his child. Knowing He loves you, and when you feel this love it can give you confidence.

Consider this mental activity to calm yourself and give you more confidence.

Close your eyes and picture a dark room.

There’s no light at all.

You hesitate to even take one step forward.

Now imagine you’re holding a small, unlit candle.

Let’s light it as you answer these questions.

What can you do today to take care of your spirit?

Picture the tiniest hint of a spark appearing on the candle’s wick.

Here’s another question. How can you show yourself more kindness today?

The candle is now glowing softly.

Last question.

What qualities do you admire in yourself?

Say three of them to yourself. Say them again.

Now notice the candle’s gentle light illuminating the darkness.

Just enough to see one step ahead.

And one step will be enough because you believe in yourself.

#2 – “I’m too sinful to reach God”
This lie often stems from the idea that God won’t accept us unless we’ve been perfect. But God loves everyone, and we all are imperfect.

One activity that may help overcome this is to slow down and gain perspective on life by going on a journey.

#3 – “God won’t answer my prayers”
God wants to communicate with us. He often does so through our feelings and emotions.

Take time to talk with God.

Consider the exercise below.

Think of one thing that is bringing tension, stress or pain into your life. In your own words, tell God what that thing is. And now tell God what feelings come from it. In your own words, ask God to bring peace to your spirit. Take some time now to listen to your spirit, how it feels, what it receives.

#4 – “God doesn’t care what happens to me”
This lie is based on an idea that God doesn’t really want to help us. Instead, He just wants to punish us.

Take time to experience peace and dispel this myth by utilizing the following activity.

Close your eyes.

Breathe long relaxed breaths and find, in the music track below, an instrument that catches your attention.

Follow each sound it makes.

Is the pitch rising or falling?

How would you describe this instrument?

Stay focused on the sound and let it flow through you.

Now transfer your listening from the music to your spirit.

What feelings are flowing through your spirit?

Focus on one that catches your attention.

Perhaps this is simply a feeling or does it hold an impression, a message?

If so, say this message to yourself.

The music of your spirit flows through you always.

Listen.

#5 – “God won’t forgive my sins. I am too far gone”
This one is based partly on the idea that God expects us to earn our own salvation.

This can really impact our motivation to try to do better.

Regarding motivation, consider this activity:

Turn your feelings inward, to your own spirit, and upward, towards God.

Open yourself to become more spiritually sensitive as you consider these questions. What are the three most important things I need to do today to grow closer to God?

When you think you know what they are, answer this. If you had to remove two of these things from your life, which one of the three would you do today?

Why is this task important to you?

What will happen if you accomplish this?

And what is the smallest step you can take right now?

We don’t always understand what Satan is doing, but we know that he is out there working against us, causing us to doubt ourselves and our relationship with Heavenly Father, which damages our spiritual wellness.

We must remember that God is in control and He loves us and wants us.

His plan is bigger than anything we could ever imagine, and with the help of exercises that provide contemplation and clarity, we can focus on the health of our spirit and become closer to God, day by day.