Wednesday, February 21, 2018

2 or 3 Together: Truth vs. Trash


The LORD your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing. 
– Zephaniah 3:17

When someone hurts my feelings, love and forgiveness are not always my first emotions. At first, I usually experience some level of shock. Then my heart feels like it’s been ripped open. Pain is typically followed by a righteous indignation that fires me up to fight back and “right the wrong”. Unfortunately, I’ve discovered that there are times when no amount of “right” can wash away a spiteful, hurtful “wrong”. 

During elementary school, when my youngest daughter was only eight years old, two of her classmates cornered her and told her she had a “fat butt”. Six years later, she asks me if her butt looks fat as she tries on jean shorts in a dressing room.

During a soccer game, I witnessed a frustrated player who got in her opponent’s face and yelled, “You’re so fat!” Those words triggered my oldest daughter to respond quick as a whip, “You are one of the reasons why so many girls suffer from eating disorders in this country. Shut up!”

During a recent visit to the doctor’s office, I heard the nurse record my eighteen-year- old daughter’s height and weight. Her numbers matched identically to my high school height and weight. Wait a minute! I stared at her body head to toe. She looked absolutely beautiful and healthy. But when I was her age, I’d have told you I was fat.

Sometimes we lie to ourselves. Sometimes others trash-talk about us. Regardless where the lies come from, they sting, scar, and stay with us for way too long. It’s time to tear them down and replace them with God’s truth. 

In Zephaniah 3:17, God promises you five priceless truths about yourself. The LORD your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing. 

  • God’s presence is with you always. He sees and knows everything about you.
  • God is powerful to save you from the lies you’ve believed about yourself.
  • God delights in you. You are precious in His sight.
  • God’s love quiets the lies and replaces them with truths. 
  • God joyfully sings over you with praise because you are beloved child.

Our identities come from how we see ourselves. Do you need to switch the lens from how you see yourself to how God sees you? Start today. 

Reread the five truths God says about you and let them sink in deep. Then discuss our 2 or 3 Together questions honestly and openly with others. Let’s encourage one another to tear down the lies and live each day in God’s truths. When you do, scars will begin to fade and wrongs become right.  

2 or 3 Together Questions:

The LORD your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing. – Zephaniah 3:17

1. Real - Can you remember a time when someone’s words effected how you viewed yourself? Share your true story.

2. Raw – What lies have you believed about yourself for way too long? Sharing them with someone else, brings them into the light. Jesus is the Light of the World who tells you, “Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12) Ask Jesus to redeem your identity to match God’s view of you. 

3. Relevant – Which truths in Zephaniah 3:17 make your heart heal, sing, or give thanks to God? How will they replace the lies you’ve believed?


The Power of Giving God Thanks Will Ignite Your Faith and Change Your World!

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