Have you ever had a belief challenged? Someone feeds you a little truth, and suddenly you’re sitting in the middle of your belief system wondering what happened to your life.
As I’ve grown older and studied the Word more intently, I’ve realized there are several beliefs I need to replace with Truth.
It hasn’t necessarily been a pain-free process. Letting go of 50+ years of believing one way is hard. But if I want to grow, I have to “let it go”—as the song says.
So, here are some of the things I’ve had to let go of.
1. The more productive I am, the more I’m worth.
I’ve made a habit of tying my worth to what I accomplish. It’s probably why words of affirmation are my love language. Tell me I did a good job, and suddenly I feel like I’ve got my life together.
But the Bible tells me my worth isn’t wrapped up in what I do or how productive I am.
It’s wrapped up in Jesus.
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” — Romans 5:8
Jesus didn’t wait until I became productive enough, successful enough, or “good enough.” He died for me while I was still a sinner.
My worth wasn’t earned.
Jesus settled it at the cross.
2. It’s too late to start something new.
I want to write and publish books. I want to build a business around writing, crochet, and embroidery. I want to read and review books. I want my blogs to succeed, and I want to grow them.
And through all of that, I hear a ticking clock in my head reminding me that I’m 57—almost 58—and time is running out.
But then I remember what the Bible says.
God regularly calls people later in life.
Moses was 80.
Caleb was 85 and still asking for mountains.
Sarah became a mother at 90.
Anna faithfully served God into old age.
“They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green.” — Psalm 92:14
The Bible never gives ministry, creativity, or purpose an expiration date.
There is no recall on my calling from God!
3. I have to have everything figured out before I begin.
This one stops me every time.
It’s also why I start things and then stop, leaving them unfinished. I always need to see the whole process. I want the perfect plan for my blogs, my writing, my career…preferably before I take the first step.
But God doesn’t work that way.
He usually gives us enough light for the next step—not the next twenty.
“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” — Psalm 119:105
A lamp gives me enough light to see where I’m standing and where to put my next foot.
It doesn’t spotlight the entire road.
Maybe I don’t need the whole plan.
Maybe I just need to take the next step.
4. I should have my emotions under control all the time.
Let’s talk about this one.
Menopause. Anxiety. Overwhelm. Guilt. Brain fog.
Sometimes the whole gang gets together and beats me up until I’m a crying mess who just wants to eat chocolate, rock myself, and pet Percy.
Then I feel guilty for feeling all of it.
But the Bible doesn’t tell me I shouldn’t have emotions.
David cried. Elijah became overwhelmed. Jeremiah wept. Even Jesus cried.
Scripture says:
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” — 1 Peter 5:7
Notice it doesn’t say, “Get yourself together and then come to Me.”
It says cast it on Him.
Having emotions doesn’t mean I’m failing God.
It means I’m human.
I don’t have to be ashamed of what I feel. I just have to remember that my feelings are real, but they don’t have to be in charge.
5. God only uses extraordinary people.
I know I’ve joked about not wanting to be “Super Christian Wonder Woman.” And honestly, I think that’s a pretty healthy instinct.
Because when I look at the people God used throughout Scripture, I don’t see a lineup of superheroes.
I see ordinary people.
Fishermen.
Shepherds.
Widows.
Tax collectors.
Homemakers.
Farmers.
People with weaknesses, questions, fears, failures, and very ordinary lives.
And God used them.
“God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.” — 1 Corinthians 1:27
Maybe I don’t have to be extraordinary.
Maybe I just have to be willing.
And finally…the mother of all beliefs.
I need to become a much better version of myself before God can use me.
This one might be the hardest to let go of.
Because I’m always trying to improve myself. Be better. Do better. Lose weight. Get organized. Be more productive. Finish what I start. Become more confident. Become more disciplined.
But Scripture keeps telling me a different story.
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” — 2 Corinthians 12:9
God isn’t waiting for me to become younger, thinner, more successful, more organized, or more confident.
He isn’t waiting for the “finished version” of Vikki.
He can use me right now.
With my weaknesses.
With my unfinished projects.
With my messy emotions.
With my questions.
With my very ordinary life.
Because apparently, God has never needed me to be extraordinary.
He just needs me to be willing to let Him work through me.
