What’s Your Story
Numbers 13:27-14:1
We all have stories we tell ourselves about who we are, what is happening, and why it’s happening. Our stories are a progression of thoughts that we believe and tell ourselves. This week, we will discuss how the things that undermine your mental and emotional health are not what happens to you, but rather the lies you tell yourself about what is happening.
1. Read Numbers 13:30: Caleb showed confidence in God’s ability to help them take possession of the land. What do you think gave Caleb and Joshua the courage to stand against the majority? How can we adopt a Caleb-like perspective when facing opposition?
2. Read Numbers 13:31-32: The other spies spread fear and doubt among the Israelites, leading to despair. How does negativity or unbelief affect a community’s faith and actions? What role do our words play in shaping the faith of those around us?
3. Read Romans 8:5-6: What does it mean to "set your mind on the things of the Spirit"? How can you intentionally fix your thoughts on God's promises rather than fears or obstacles in your daily life?
4. Caleb and Joshua focused on God’s promise, while the ten spies fixated on the obstacles. How does what you choose to focus on shape your emotions and actions? What practical steps can you take to shift your thoughts when fear or negativity takes hold?
5. We can’t control the thoughts that come into our minds, but we can control what we do with those thoughts. Where have you had success in your life when it comes to controlling your thoughts?
6. Read Numbers 13:33. The ten spies allowed their thoughts of inadequacy to grow into a narrative of defeat. Can you share a time in your life when a negative thought escalated into a larger, discouraging story? How did it affect your emotions and actions?
7. Pastor James talked about the importance of investigating our emotions rather than suppressing them. How can asking questions like “Why do I feel this way?” help you uncover and address the underlying thoughts driving your feelings?
8. Read Psalm 42:5-6. David understood that he felt downcast and disturbed because he was letting negative thoughts dictate the story he believed. Why is it so important to question the source of our feelings?
9. Read Philippians 4:8. Pastor James shared three questions to ask when thoughts or feelings come to your mind: Is it true? Is it helpful? Is it worthy of praise? How can these questions help you assess your thoughts and feelings?
10. Read Romans 12:2. We must own our thoughts and continually choose, day-in and day-out, twenty-four hours a day, what we will do with those thoughts. You are not born with a positive or negative attitude; rather, it is something you allow to develop based on the story you believe. God changes and transforms you by altering the narrative you tell yourself. Based on this verse, how do we rewrite the narrative of our life?
We have a Homework Assignment for you this week. Work through the following steps and bring your notes with you next weekend:
Objective: To confront and counter the lies we tell ourselves by identifying them, exploring their emotional impact, and replacing them with truths rooted in Scripture.
Steps to Complete the Assignment:
1. Prepare Your Heart
Spend a few minutes in prayer, asking God to reveal any lies you might be believing and to guide you towards His truth. Use Psalm 139:23-24 as your prayer: “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
2. Reflect on the Lies
Quietly think about the recurring negative thoughts or beliefs you’ve been telling yourself. These might sound like:
- “I’m not good enough.”
- “I’ll always fail.”
- “God can’t love me.”
- “Things will never change.”
- “I can’t overcome this.”
Write down one specific lie you’ve been believing. Be honest—this step is crucial for breaking its power over you.
3. Investigate the Emotional Impact
Ask yourself:
- How has this lie affected your emotions? (e.g., fear, anxiety, hopelessness)
- How has it shaped your decisions, relationships, or faith journey?
- Reflect on and write down these insights.
4. Seek God’s Truth
Find a verse or passage in Scripture that counters the lie you wrote down. You can use the following examples:
- For “I’m not good enough”: “I can do all this through him who gives me strength”(Philippians 4:13).
- For “God doesn’t love me”: “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
- For “Things will never change”: “I am making everything new!” (Revelation 21:5).
Write this truth next to the lie, emphasizing that this is the truth God wants you to embrace.
5. Replace the Lie with the Truth
Write a short paragraph that rewrites the story in your mind using the truth from Scripture. For example:
- Instead of: “I’ll always fail.”
- Replace with: “I might stumble, but through Christ’s strength, I can rise again and succeed. God has equipped me for His purposes.”
6. Prayer of Surrender
Close your time with a written prayer, surrendering the lie to God and committing to walk in His truth. For example:
“Lord, I surrender the lie that [write the lie] to You. I believe Your Word that says [write the verse]. Help me to walk in this truth daily and to live out the story You are writing for me. Amen.”
Outcome
Through this exercise, you will learn to identify lies, understand their impact, and actively replace them with God’s life-giving truth. It’s a small but powerful step toward renewing your mind and living in freedom.
Remember, the goal is not perfection but progress in aligning your story with God’s truth. You are not alone on this journey.