I can’t do that.

It’s too hard.

This will never be over.

What if they don’t like me?

What if I fail?

I certainly don’t know enough to even try.

Have you ever had any of these thoughts or similar ones? I definitely have. I still do. I used to give into them or just pretend like the weren’t there and do something else that I knew I could succeed at, which usually helped. Most people didn’t hear those inner thoughts and they only saw the successes. Those positive results produced outward appearances of happiness (and there was still honest joy present), yet the plague of the negativity would still creep up afterward or before another big project.

I started working with a coach and they put a name on them: limiting beliefs.

They’re almost like a bully in your own mind. They’re not nice and I’m not sure how they got there, but we have to deal with them. If you don’t have them, praise the Lord everyday! If you do, here’s a little help to get you started.

Reframe.

Call them what they are, take them head on and move through them.

Look the limiting belief in the face and say, “No, you’re holding me back and I’m going to turn you on your face and you’re going to work for me.”

EXAMPLE: It’s too hard. REFRAME: Yep, that is definitely going to be a challenge and I might make a few mistakes, but I’m going to get there one step at a time.

EXAMPLE: What if they don’t like me? REFRAME: Are you being honest and standing behind your values? Yes. Are there people who do like you? Yes. Can you please everyone? No. So, focus on the people who do like what you have to say and don’t worry about the rest. Press on.

This reframing is important, because limiting beliefs are powerful. Many times we shrug them off as negativity or self-doubt and just keep going along our merry way. The problem is that they can slowly become shackles around your productivity and willingness to pursue your dreams and passions. They can bring you to a standstill and prevent positive movement.

Realizing this, calling them out as they happen and reframing has been an incredibly challenging, refreshing and growing process in my life. It’s been awesome, thanks Kim. 🙂

Today, I was meditating on a scripture verse and reading it over and over. I realized that God was in the business of reframing and encourages us to do it while leaning on His power as well. He had this tool a long time ago, because He knows we struggle with sin and doubt, but He inserts His strength to assist us.

Philippians 4:6-7 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, WITH THANKSGIVING, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

I’ve heard this verse so many times, but I just skipped over the “with thanksgiving” part. He’s tells us not to be anxious, but move through it by coming to Him in prayer and spin the anxiety into thanksgiving. When we do those things (and even when we’re not good at it), His power and peace will guard our hearts as those arise in the future. Wow.

Limiting belief. Claim it and bring it to God. Reframe into positive Thanksgiving.

Receive his protection and peace. Move ahead in joy and success with Jesus.

Amen.