dying to ourselves or lying to ourselves...

I’ve been trying to listen for statements people make that speak of a conditioning that happens so that people are defeated before they begin.  Dead on arrival.

“There’s nothing I can do about it.”

“I don’t know.”

“I’m not sure.”

“I’m sure it will be ok.”

“I don’t have time.”

“I’m not good at that.”

“That’s just the way I am.”

“I can’t take any more.”

“You’re talking to the wrong person.”

“If I could I would.”

“I just don’t relate.”

“I’m not comfortable in that setting.”

“I don’t think it will work.”

“I’ve tried that before.”

“It’s not something that appeals to me.”

“That’s easy for you to say.”

“I’ve got enough drama in my life.”

“I don’t stand a chance.”

“You don’t know who you’re talking to.”

“God didn’t make me that way.”

“I have my own problems.”

“It’s not my problem.”

“I’m not sure what you want me to do about it.”

“I probably won’t work.”

“It’s a lost cause.”

“I don’t know why I even try.”

“It’s not going to make any difference.”

“I think it’s already set in stone…the dye has been cast.”

“I’m not the person you’re looking for.”

“I’m sure there are other more qualified than I.”

“It didn’t work last time.”

“I can’t make any promises.”

“Don’t get your hopes up.”

“I’m lost for words.”

“You wouldn’t understand.”

“It’s not that I don’t want to, it’s just that…”

“I’m afraid I just can’t.”

The statements that come out of our mouths are probably nothing compared to the inner dialogues going on inside our brains and souls.  We are fault-finding fear factories, the smoke hovering about us like low lying smog.  We find the most faults and fears inside ourselves as we talk ourselves out of engagement every which way.  If we don’t catch ourselves thinking these thoughts and speaking these words, they will define and confine our lives.  If we don’t slay them with the sword of truth and move toward the discomforts, unknowns, messes, and awkwards…we won’t really live the abundant life.

So it seems the choice is to die to ourselves or to lie to ourselves.  Every morning we wake up with these two options staring us in the eyeballs.