Lies and Truth
posted on May 13th, 2010 / by Kristi Davis / 14 CommentsBehind every fear, there lives a lie.
Have you ever been afraid? Have you ever been terrified? Have you ever experienced fear so big and so deep that you felt a pressing despair all around you, to the point that your heart, mind, and body nearly ceased to function? The kind of overwhelmingness and hopelessness that left you nearly convinced that the only option left would be to live no more? That death would actually be a relief from the terror?
I have.
It’s horrible.
I did not know it at the time, but I was sinking down into a dark ocean of lies. I thought that they were true. I didn’t realize I had been deceived. A stronghold had been built in my mind. Brick by miserable brick, it went up, and somehow went unnoticed … for a while. Then I saw it. I thought that somehow my fate had been determined against my will and that there was nothing I could do about it. And I went into despair. In the middle of the most horrible day of my life, I heard God speak to my heart in a whisper. As I sat looking out the window at two trees, one that looked like it was dying and one that looked healthy in the spring sunshine, He said: “I have set before you life and death … choose life.” Like the tiniest ray of sunshine breaking through a dark and destructive storm, a little piece of truth broke into my spirit, and my life was saved.
I would like to say that all the torment stopped there. But it didn’t. There were a lot of lies, and each one of them needed God’s truth to destroy it. That would take time. More time than I would like it to. But you know what? God has all the time in the world! Faithfully, from that day on, as I lived in a constant state of very shaky uneasiness, God spoke. And every time He spoke, regardless of what He would say, I heard: I love you. Every time He spoke, I heard the Truth about Who He Is. As an old lie would surface, and all the panic I had felt before came with it, God would speak, and the water of His Word would put that fire out. Slowly but surely, that lie no longer burned. Slowly but surely, the fear was replaced with His incredible and indescribable love for me! And I would see once again: He Is Love! He Is Faithful! He Is All-Powerful! He Is All I Need.
Little by little, continually, God’s truth has come! And with each drop of it, the lies are exposed and removed, and the fear fades away.
There are still a few lies lingering, and sometimes I feel the fear coming, but now I know: God’s truth concerning that lie is not far behind! Now I know: there is no reason to panic, I just have to wait for God to show me the truth. Then the truth sets me free!
What lies are you believing? Go to God, ask Him to show you the lies, and His Truth! Let His love shower over you, and wash away all the fear!
A self portrait by Kristi Davis
Kristi loves to see God at work in the lives of His precious people as they are saved, healed, delivered, and set free! Her favorite place to be is at the feet of Jesus, engaged with Him in worship and prayer. She is a homeschooling mom of two precious children, Megan and Nathan, and will be celebrating thirteen years of marriage to her husband, Buddy, this year. When she is not teaching, cleaning, or reading, you can find her lost in great worship music with her drawing pencils in hand.
You can read more by Kristi at her blog: http://liberty-belle-blog.blogspot.com
You can see more of her art at: http://kdgallery.blogspot.com/
On a night of sleeplessness….battling the lies and fear…..this blog has been a word of LIFE to me. I feel like I could have written it….just not as far in the process as you. Thank you.
What a wonderful reminder to choose life!! I want to listen for God's voice and His truth not the lies, what a great way to start my day
Beautiful Kristi!! I love your heart! His love shines through you in everything you do! I too have battled fear & it just looks like fabulous truth sometimes until one day fear has a death grip on your heart! Freedom is my hearts cry fir the lost & those God brings across my path! Freedom is really what He bought! Freedom from sin! Freedom from shame! Freedom from fear! Freedom from shackles! Sometimes I just have to ask Him what shackles I haven’t let him unlock yet! I realize how perfectly you revealed that here!! What’s the lie?!!! Thank you, Kristi!!!!!
The biggest issue in my life is fear. I never want to
die… Ever. The thought of death sends my body into pani
mode. After I read your blog I quickly asked God what was THE lie behind it all….
The LIE: That when I die I won’t make it to
Him.
The TRUTH: He said, ” There is nothing you can do that will seperate us. I will always be with you and you will alwas be with me.”
Thank you so much for opening my heart and eyes that God had for me!
I love this. I was just talking to the Lord about His truths last night. Thank you for putting it in such clear words!
Kristi,
This was great!! Something that is near and dear to my heart is seeing God's truth shine through all the lies that have held me down most of my life and kept me paralyzed. Thank you so much for your testimony. Also your artwork is amazing…you have a beautiful gift!!
We MUST always confront and combat the lies with TRUTH!
thank you for this reminder!
This so hit home — there have been so many times that I have been deemed "inactive" and "unproductive" and unable to move because of fears and lies — asI venture forth on my walk with God — I'm finding out more about myself and the lies that have held me in bondage for lo these many years — thank God for His mercy and grace — and thank you for posting this so timely message
Thanks for sharing… and the inspirational story!
I will try to put it into practice in any moments of despair.
Many thanks!
Thanks, Kristi, for sharing your story. I LOVE your art.
Great blog Kristi. I have been there once in my life. God used my children's faces to keep me alive until He could restore hope in Him to me. I reflect on the darkness of my reality back then with a heart full of awe at God's miraculous ability to turn my morning into dancing. So thankful for his Love.
Rebecca
Kristi,
Thanks for sharing your truth with DIB and our readers! Your words are full of light that pushes out darkness … because it is the testimony of your heart:)
I admire your heart courage as I am encourage to embrace more truth and extinguish lies in my life.
With great gratitude and love,
~Ris
Kristi,
The reality of our fears is often the hardest thing to face in the midst of the storms. Thank you for opening your heart and sharing this with us. I love the statement "Behind every fear there lives a lie". That stopped me in my tracks. It speaks volumes to me. I lived in fear for many years, and I love this reminder of His grace that brought me through it!
Blessings to you.
~ Jessica
So proud of you my dear friend. You are such a woman full of God's gifts! I continue to see how He uses each one of these gifts, to not only change others lives, but your own. Your humility and transparency is such a blessing for so many that need that touch from God. Thank you and I love you my sister in Christ!