Archive for the ‘Series’ Category

I walked through life believing this lie for far too long. As I think back on it now, I’m shocked at how my thoughts had such a strong effect on my actions. I believed I was fat, therefore, I would overeat, not exercise, or at least cut corners if I did. 

My perception of myself became my reality, (read that again.) and I plunged down a destructive spiral that I felt powerless to stop. 

Until… 

Until I realized. I was not fat. I was merely stuck in a fat person’s body. Anna, the real Anna was not this overweight, depressed girl who didn’t see a way out. She was joyful, full of life, full of love, an encourager, energetic! But stuck. How was I going to push through? How was I going to become on the outside, what I knew I was on the inside? 

The answer: TRUTH. 

For too long, I lived in this lie: “You’re fat, therefore you’re not whole. No one likes you. No one wants to be around you.” I thought it was true, so it became true. But once I started changing my thinking, other things started to change as well. I realized I was living a lie, so to overcome that lie, I had to find truth. And where better to find truth, than the Truth itself? 

I dove into the scriptures, finding truths that directly countered the lies I believed about myself. 

I’m fat, I’m ugly—> “The King is enthralled with my beauty, honor Him for He is your Lord!”–Psalm 45:11

No one likes me, no one wants to be around me—> “I have chosen you to be my special treasure.”–Deuteronomy 7:6

Any time the lie would hit, I would have a truth ready to do battle. It was hard at first. Sometimes it felt like I would take one step forward, and two steps back. But I trudged forward, knowing I had to change my thinking. Pretty soon, believing truth became like second nature to me. I walked in the confidence of His truth, and soon the lies slowly fell away, and with them, the weight. I slowly became on the outside what I knew I was on the inside. His truth changed me from the inside out! Now, I continue to walk in truth, doing battle against the lies that come my way. 

What about you? Do you believe the truth about yourself, or are you spiraling down a deadly cycle you feel powerless to stop? Maybe you don’t even struggle with weight, like I did, but you do face an equally difficult lie, an insecurity that holds you back. Do you want to be free? The truth will set you free. 

Activities to consider:

1. Write down the top five characteristics that describe you. Ex: Joyful, encourager, energetic, etc. This is who you are! (If you have a difficult time with this, ask your husband, a trusted friend or relative.) 

2. Write down the top three lies your believe about yourself. 

3. Find three scriptures that directly counter the lies you believe. Memorize them.

Another sign of insecurity is:

#2 Offering unsolicited information…

• When I worked at Range Resources Corp. (before Lifechurch.tv) my co-workers would often come into the kitchen to get candy. I was there sorting mail, and they would tell me why they were getting into the chocolate… As if I had asked for an explanation.
• Another example is when some of my co-workers would pass me, leaving a little early for the day and feel the need to explain why they were skipping out… as if I had asked… or cared.

Offering unsolicited information shows insecurity because the offender seems to think every-one’s mind is on them. It also shows an underlying need for approval, as if the persons decision to do something is not enough, they need others to consent, or tell them it’s okay…

What about you? Do you often find yourself offering unsolicited information? Do you needlessly reveal the motives behind your actions when you really just need to live your life without explanation or the need for approval?

Discuss your thoughts.

As I’ve studied insecurity over the past couple years, I’ve discovered there are some very practical ways to spot someone who is insecure. This week I’ll reveal some of those ways… See if you find yourself in any of them, and find out how to overcome it!

 Sign #1 Taking Things Too Personally

• No one can joke around with you because your feelings are bound to get hurt…
• You’re too sensitive…
• Any kind of constructive criticism feels like the end of the world…

What else do you want to add? Do you see yourself in this sign?

“The Tower of London”

The massive stone bridge stands in authority over the Thames River in London.  While there we learned a very valuable principle that has continually impacted me since.

“Don’t Peak too Soon”

What do you think this means? 

In Rome, we toured the Colosseum, the most famous monument of Ancient Rome.  When I walked through the entrance passing thick stone walls into the amphitheatre, chill bumps rose on my skin.  There was something eerie about the place.  Like the screams of the crowds still hung in the air, caught there in a time force unbreakable by the years of neglect. 

If you’ve seen Gladiator, or Ben-Hur then you are familiar with the Roman Colosseum and the deadly games that took place there.  What you might not be familiar with is a man named Telemachus.

Telemachus was a monk who spent most of his life shut up in a room immersed in his disciplines.  After years of study God called him to enter back into society and minister to the people of Rome.  He arrived in Rome as the holiday festivals were going on.  Deciding to follow the crowd and observe, Telemaches found himself in the midst of the Colosseum and watched as the gladiators battled to their deaths. 

Enraged with a righteous anger, he finally climbed down into the arena shouting, “In the name of Christ, forbear!” Upsetting the crowd, they shouted for Telemachus to be killed. 

With his last breath, Telemachus proclaimed in his loudest voice, “In the name of Christ, forbear!” and then his lifeless body fell to the ground. 

Then, a strange thing happened—an odd silence fell across the Colosseum, the crowd became still.  One by one, the eyes of the mob opened.  Somewhere in the crowd a father walked out with his sons, then another family, then a couple individuals.  One at a time people continued to leave the theater until the Colosseum was deserted, finally grasping the horror of the sport they once celebrated. 

That was the last gladiatorial battle ever to be fought in the Roman Colosseum. 

Sometimes it’s easy to think we can’t make a difference.  We argue, “I’m one person, no one special, what can I do to make an impact?”  But the lesson stands in Telemachus, a man who held strongly to his convictions and was able to be used by God. 

Do you struggle with the lie you can’t be used?  Have you made excuses like the ones above?  What do you believe God might be calling you to do for HIM? 

Photograph taken by Anna Meadows Copyright 2004

Sorry for the delay of post… I’m without electricity and staying with a great freind of mine! 

“Leaning Tower of Pisa”

On one of my adventures we visited the Leaning Tower of Pisa, in Pisa, Italy.

Many people don’t know, but the tower was never intended to lean.  When it was built (from 1173to 1350) the foundation was less than excellent, but the builders and the architect, Bonanno Pisano didn’t think it would make a huge difference.  They argued that the 8 foot thick walls at the base of the tower were more than enough to keep the tower strong.  What they didn’t realize is that strength is meaningless without a firm foundation. 

The Tower began to lean, a ¼ of an inch a year and little by little the integrity of the structure became obviously vulnerable. 

It makes me think about my own life.  Am I building on a foundation that is less than excellent?  Do I need to get back to the basics, tighten my boundaries and make sure my foundation is firm, before I continue building and risk weakening my structural integrity? 

The question also begs of my character, when is a ¼ of an inch too much?  A little slide here, a small slip up there and before I know it I’ve caused a breach in the vessel God is building.   

 Ask yourself those questions above and tell me what you think. 

Photograph taken by Anna Meadows Copyright 2004

“Big Ben”

While touring in London we visited Big Ben–the famous clock connected to the houses of Parliament (Parliament: is legislative assembly of GREAT BRITAIN.)  Here, we learned three important principles concerning time. 

Time is impartial–It knows no man.  Each person is given 24 hours in a day, it’s up to me to make the most of those hours.

Time is relentless–Like a raging river.  No matter how hard I try, I cannot stop time.  It will keep going whether I’m ready for it or not.  It’s best to be ready. 

Time is precious–A treasure to care for.  I will not get back yesterday.  Each day is a gift.  I only have a few short years to make my life count. 

As a leader, time management is crucial.  Time management is life management. 

 Which of these three do you struggle with the most? 

Photograph taken by Anna Meadows Copyright 2004

As a freshman in highschool I had the opportunity to join a four-year program called Student Leadership University (SLU).  This leadership program offered me incredible opportunities to travel and see the world!  This week I will share some of the highlights of where I’ve been during those four years and what I learned…

Hope you enjoy the journey with me, so please direct your attention to the flight attendant up front.  To fasten your seat belt simply insert the silver buckle into the…

“The Eiffel Tower”

The Eiffel Tower was built for the International Exhibition of Paris in 1889 honoring the centenary of the French Revolution.  When the Tower was built, many protested its construction.  It was almost torn down in 1909, but was saved because of its antenna–used for telegraphy at the time.  However difficult its birth, it is now completely accepted and is listed as one of the symbols of Paris itself, receiving more than 200 million visitors since its construction. 

The story of the Tower parallels with a powerful leadership principle.  When you rise in leadership you will undoubtedly have people who will want to pull you down.  You will have your own set of protesting, your own opposition, whether it’s a friend who can’t see past his own insecurities, a well-meaning parent that doesn’t understand your call, or your own self-critical thoughts that tell you you’re not cut out for something like this, no matter our opposition we must remember this important truth.  “Nothing is impossible with God.”

Have you experienced opposition in some areas in your life?  How did you combat it?

Photograph taken by Anna Meadows Copyright 2004

“Laugh”

In my family of nine people everyone is a stand up comedian. I laugh more with my family than just about any group out there.

Laughing is one of the most important lessons to learn. If you can’t laugh you won’t enjoy life.

When was the last time your sides hurt, or your eyes watered because you laughed so hard?

“Listen”

Within my family God has given me many opportunities to learn how to listen.  But there is a difference in listening to what people say and hearing what people say… 

It reminds me of a quote from the movie “Fight Club.”  The narrator pulls us in when he says, “When people think you’re dying, they really, really listen to you, instead of just… ” Marla finishes his thought giving us all something to think about.  “…instead of just waiting for their turn to speak?”

What would it look like if we took the time to really hear what people are saying instead of just waiting for our turn to speak?