“Be still, and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10, NIV

What lies are you believing about yourself that are hurting you right now?

This was one of the powerful questions posed to me at a retreat I attended this summer with keynote speaker and author Jamie Winship. The week was mostly spent learning about how everything we do is influenced by what we think and the various factors that determine what we think, like childhood trauma and the broken world systems that we all grow up in. As a result, pretty much everything in life boils down to two options: truth or lies.

These should sound familiar to Christians: in the book of John, Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life” (14:6). Satan is described this way: “…there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies” (8:44).

In the constant busyness that fills most of our days as teachers, it can be easy to get distracted and overwhelmed by our to-do lists and not take the time that we desperately need to hear from God. Today, I want to encourage you to make that space for yourself to hear the quiet voice of truth, and allow Him to break the lies you’re used to believing. Find a time and space (try for a minimum of 30 minutes) to truly eliminate distractions (don’t bring the cell phone!) and just sit with God, allowing yourself to hear His voice. Be still, know that He is God and He wants to speak the truth into your mind, heart, and life.

Here are 3 simple but powerful questions I’ve learned that you can use to do this. In the quiet, ask God:

1. What lies am I believing about myself that are hurting me right now?
2. What do YOU want me to know right now?
3. Who do YOU say that I am?

God promises us in Matthew 7:7-8 that if we ask, it will be given to us; if we seek, we will find Him; if we knock, the door will be opened. Stop allowing the enemy to have your ears, mind, and heart–choose to listen to the truth of the One who made you and knows you better than you know yourself. Allow Him to transform you and renew your mind and heart by listening to the quiet voice of truth.

“You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32).

Father, thank you that You want to speak to us. Thank you for the access You’ve given us to freely come to You, and that You’ve promised You will freely give to us. Please open our minds and hearts today to sit quietly with You and truly receive the good gifts You have for us, Your children. Replace the lies in our hearts with the truth of who You’ve created us to be, and help us to run to You, the living water, when we thirst. We need You every day, every moment. In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.

Copyright Rhapsody Jordan-Parisi.

Rhapsody is a member and high school English teacher from North Carolina. She is passionate about helping overwhelmed teachers reclaim their time and peace of mind through support, encouragement, and intentional strategies. You can connect with her at tightropeteaching.com.