Painted Faces - the masks people wear

Do you believe the lies too?

     I woke this morning with a prompting from the Lord to talk about the lies we believe. Specifically, an incident that happened to me and how it shut me down.

"No use threatening to tell your dad about us – he already knows. He knows we bring you here and won't do anything about it." How could that be true? Does he really know them? Know I'm here? That means he doesn't care; I'm not worth saving or even caring about, let alone protecting. I feel stunned, like I'm going to be sick. So this is it then. No hope. I'm stuck.

    When we're being preyed upon by evil, in all it's forms, every trick in the book will be used to shut us down. As a young teenager, and especially with the background of what had been said to me when I was seven by my friend's parents, I was primed to believe the lies those men spoke to me. Although I might question whether my Dad was "in on this" it still shook me enough to make me too afraid to ask him. Too afraid they would be proven right by the look on his face or his reaction. Best to just not risk any confirmation or every remaining hope would be forever shattered. In my child's mind, my Dad was my hero – he would protect and rescue me from anything. He was kind, strong, clever and handsome. I didn't want confirmation that I was just not good enough to be his daughter, worthy of all that. So I said nothing. I tried to show them no fear or agreement, but in my heart I knew I was alone.

    I believe our Abba – Father God – wants you to know that He is your hero, He is there for you to trust, and He will never let you down or forsake you. No matter what lies are spoken to you – either in your head or by another person – they are never true about your Abba. He wants you to know and trust that implicitly. Because lies will come, increasingly in these days. Scoffers will make fun of you for trusting in a heavenly father. Lies to convince you that you can never be worthy of protection or love will be subtly, quietly, played into your subconscious – or yelled at you loudly in arguments or confrontations with even loved ones. But don't let yourself be fooled!

   Psalm 91 says "Because she loves me...I will rescue her; I will protect her, for she acknowledges my name. She will call upon me and I will answer her; I will be with her in trouble, I will deliver her and honour her." (Gender changed to fit who God is speaking to)

These are not the words of a father who would gladly leave you to cope on your own.

These are not the words of a father who does not love or value you.

These are not the words of a father with no power to prevail.

These are the words and promises of your heavenly father who is Lord of all.

Who wants you to trust Him, draw near to Him in your times of trouble.

Words of your Father who wants to rescue you, give you strength to endure.

And give you hope.

    Surround yourself with trusted friends, brothers and sisters who will counter these lies and remind you of your father's love. Sometimes the whispered words in your mind are hard to resist. They come in a voice so subtle that they sound like your own thoughts. Then your emotions kick in and a cycle begins of self-doubt and sadness. Test these thoughts against the word of God. Test them also with those you trust; don't be cowed into silent acceptance. That's exactly the trap the enemy wants you to fall into. Be more self-aware than that.