Do you know that in any area of your life – relationships, finances, career, health & fitness, faith, and more – where you are not content and fulfilled, you are likely under-living your life? That’s right….you have more power and possibility than you think!

Certainly, external circumstances can influence your ability to try, persevere, and succeed in life. But the biggest barrier to your growth and change is the one you construct in your mind. You and I restrict our lives and our destinies, not by the actual potential of what’s possible, but by our own assessment of what’s possible. Though Jesus tells us “everything is possible for those who believe” (Mark 9:23), you will only grow to the boundaries of your own limitations.

We know from research, as well as God’s eternal truths, that the size of your life is in direct proportion to the size of your dreams. The size of your dreams is proportional to your appraisal of your abilities to fulfill those dreams. And your estimate of your ability or potential is driven by the quality of your beliefs.

The beliefs you hold about yourself are known as your identity, image, or self-concept.

Though some may be far below your God-deposited potential, you know and believe them to be “truth” or “reality.” They sound like this: “I can’t lose weight. I’m shy. I attract all the wrong guys. I’m terrible at math. I hate exercising. I’m terrified of speaking in public,” and so on. Even when you have the desire and resolution to change, research shows you always go back to the self-image, the person, or the “truth,” you know yourself to be. It’s an internal process of the subconscious mind that works to keep you YOU. It’s known as sanity. And sanity of the mind is always more important than success. That’s how you’re wired. That’s how the mind works.

In order to experience more of God, love, life, joy, health, wholeness, and abundance, it’s essential you become consciously aware of your subconscious beliefs that under-valuing and under-selling your true potential in Christ.

Look to the Bible for your real identity!

You are fearfully and wonderfully made. -  Psalm 139:14 

You are destined by God to reign as priest and royalty. Revelation 5:10

You have the mind of Christ and are the fragrance of Christ. - 1 Corinthians 2:15; 2 Corinthians 2:15 

You are God’s tabernacle, filled with the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead. - Romans 8:11

Scripture contains pages of truths and images of your identity and inheritance, how God sees you as you are in Christ. And yet, when you stare in the mirror do you smile and affirm all God’s truths concerning you?

Do you see the perfection of Christ in you, changing you from glory to glory? Do you boldly proclaim, “I am the apple of God’s eye!” - Psalm 17:8

He loves me with an everlasting love! - Jeremiah 31:3

He rejoices over me with singing! - Zephaniah 3:17

Or, are you like most women who under-sell themselves, noticing everything that’s flawed, lacking, aging, or imperfect?

And here’s the scary part…. most of us aren’t even aware of how negative and critical our own internal thinking and verbal expressions can be! In fact, when I’m working with groups, I do a fun little exercise you might want to try for the next week.

4 Ways to Eliminate Negative Self-Talk

1.Take a loose rubber band and place it around your wrist. Make sure it’s not too tight.

2.Each time you notice yourself saying or thinking a negative, critical, limiting, or sarcastic comment – about yourself or another – give yourself a little snap on the rubber band. [Now, this isn’t meant to be punitive or negative reinforcement. It’s simply to help you create a conscious awareness of your subconscious thinking.]

3.To the extent you are able; keep your Destiny Journal close by. After snapping your rubber band, jot down the limiting belief you made and what precipitated it. You’re looking for insight not condemnation or blame, so be as honest and objective as you can be with yourself.

4.After you’ve spent a week capturing your limiting beliefs and what surrounded them, reflect on any patterns you might see: people, places, times of day, circumstances, emotions, etc. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you wisdom and insight so you can begin to deal with the root of these lies and live your potential from Heaven’s perspective.

In my next video and follow-on article, you’ll discover the most effective way to change your limiting beliefs into liberating beliefs so it’s natural and easy to be the new YOU!

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