There are some friends so dear that you can’t wait to connect them! My precious friend Suzie Eller is someone I’m over-the-moon excited to introduce to you.

Suzie is both funny and wise which is a winning combination in my book, and she’s written a book that will rock your world. The Spirit-Led Heart: Living a Life of Love and Faith without Borders is about the gift that so many of us have missed. It breaks my heart how controversial the topic of the Holy Spirit has become, dividing denominations instead of uniting God’s people. Suzie takes a Biblical approach that will leave you empowered with all that the Spirit has to offer.

Please welcome Suzie to the blog today! (And don’t miss an opportunity at the end to read two free chapters as well as to win a copy of the book.)

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My friend and I sat on the curb, sweaty after a long walk. For the past few days, we had been studying Romans 8. As we walked, she spoke out loud the words in Romans 8:38-39.

Nothing can separate you from God’s love. 

Then it became personal.

Wait, nothing can separate me from God’s love.

These were words that, until that moment, felt like they were for everyone else. Have you ever had a moment when truth is suddenly clear? You’ve tried to figure it out on your own, perhaps for years. It feels as though everybody else “gets it” except for you. That’s how my friend felt until the message in Romans 8 leaped from the pages and settled into her spiritual DNA.

Why did she believe it?

The reason that any of us fall for a lie is that it feels true.

For my friend, a lie had led to an assumption, which become a belief, which produced actions (or inactions) that impacted her life and identity.

This is one lie we often believe.

You can never change.

Maybe an adult spoke that over you. Maybe you started to believe that lie because you tried to change, and it didn’t work. Perhaps that one mistake still haunts you, even though you have changed.

So you begin to tell yourself: This is just who I am. That’s the assumption. It settles into your identity as truth. You hear scripture that tells how much God loves you, and you point out all the ways you don’t deserve it. You try to do everything well, but you make a mistake so you beat yourself up. Or maybe you just give up entirely.

How do we counter these lies?

We counter them with truth. The lie might be, “You can never change,” but this is the truth:

We are free to be exactly who God says we can be.

When I was younger, I didn’t let women get too close. If I was in a grocery store and saw someone I knew, I’d make a beeline for the dog food aisle, hoping they’d go the other way.

Why?

Because of a lie.

The lie was that I didn’t have a lot to offer. I didn’t have anything important to say. I worried that I’d say something goofy. I was shy. I was introverted. . .  the list of my beliefs was long.

Some of these held some truth. I was a little shy. I am an introvert. I might even say something goofy (that can still happen). The problem is that I had accepted the lie that I didn’t have anything of value to add to a friendship. That somehow I was “less than.”

The truth is I am free to be who God made me to be. Sometimes shy. Mostly introverted. But also a really great friend. Loyal. Fun (that’s the goofy part). As I confronted the lies and assumptions with truth, my belief system shifted and so did my actions.

The words I spoke over my own heart changed. As I accepted me, I was able to accept others as sweet friends, because the truth is we all have quirks or differences, and we all have strengths. There is no perfect friend, or perfect woman.

What is that half-truth or outright lie that has weighed you down?

Ask God to help you recognize it. Confront it with truth. As you do, it will begin to shift the way you think, which shifts the way you live, for when you know the truth, you are free to live the truth.

Suzie Eller

Suzanne (Suzie) Eller is a Proverbs 31 Ministries writer, a bestselling author, speaker, and blogger. Suzie has written a new book, The Spirit-Led Heart: Living a Life of Love and Faith Without Borders. This book shares that we have a Helper. We have what we need to live with a Spirit-led heart.

Download two free chapters at www.tsuzanneeller.com/spiritledheart

 

The Giveaway

Today we have a treat! Bethany House and Suzie are giving away a copy of The Spirit Led Heart. To enter, simply leave a comment sharing a truth that you’ve used to combat a lie or say “The Holy Spirit leads me to truth!”

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There are a handful of people that I know that are known for prayer. I’ll bet you’ve got a list too.

Mona, one of the mentors you’ve heard me talk about often, leads those that I think of as “prayer warriors”, those who approach prayer with confidence. There are others– Jean, Rey and Tara just to name a few– but they all have one thing in common. These are women whose prayers are a fabric of scripture.

Just last night, I spent time praying over an upcoming conference in my area with Tara’s team, and her influence was obvious. The team prayed with their Bibles open, repeating God’s Word back to Him with faith and expectation. They aren’t women who think they can demand and manipulate God with His own words (I’ve seen that version too!). Instead, they’re women who know that God is faithful. His promises are true and dependable. And they know that praying Scripture keeps them solidly in His realm, the place where His will reigns.

I listened, and I participated. The prayers laced with Truth rose to heaven, but they soaked into my bones too. With 2018 being the year of “Pray”, I paid attention and longed. Can I confess to you? I’ve known this truth for a long time.

I’ve known this truth, but I haven’t implemented this truth. This morning I had to take a look and ask why? Here are the wrong beliefs rooted in insecurity that have kept me from praying more powerfully as I integrate God’s Word:

Prayer isn’t my gift.  

I’m going to war on this lie! Prayer is a gift to all of us because it’s simply talking to God who gives us full access. I do believe that some are given a special ability to pray so that they can lead us. Wendy Blight, for example, writes out the most annointed prayers for our Proverbs 31 team, but I don’t have to allow myself to be intimidated by her gift. I want to learn from it! As we pray, God doesn’t expect us to sound like anyone else. In fact, since He created us and knows us better than anyone, He’s probably surprised when we do!

Those people are more spiritual than I am. 

I’ve fallen into the wrong belief that some gifts are more “spiritual” than others. Mine run more along practical, get ‘er done lines, and I’ve considered them less than. Paul tells us, “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. (I Cor. 12:4-6 NIV) Let’s stand secure in our own natural God-given gifts while growing in others. Prayer is my growth gift this year!

I don’t know scripture well enough. 

This really gets to the root of what has held me back, and there’s some truth to it. I don’t have enough scripture memorized. But I took note of the women last night with their Bibles open. I need to start somewhere, so praying with my Bible open is where I’ll start.

Here’s how I’m fighting those insecurities:

The last two days I’ve written out prayers based on my morning First 5 study. Here’s what it has looked like:

II Kings 18: 5-8, “Hezekiah trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel. There was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, either before him or after him. He held fast to the Lord and did not stop following him; he kept the commands the Lord had given Moses. And the Lord was with him; he was successful in whatever he undertook. He rebelled against the king of Assyria and did not serve him. From watchtower to fortified city, he defeated the Philistines, as far as Gaza and its territory. (NIV)

My prayer: Lord, I want to be a woman who trusts You completely. Make me stand beyond compare in my place in Your story. Help me to held fast to You, never ceasing to follow You and obeying Your commands. I want to be successful in all that I undertake for Your glory. Empower me to resist my enemy, Satan, and give me victory against him. Amen.

II Kings 19:30, “Once more a remnant of the kingdom of Judah will take root below and bear fruit above.” (NIV)

My prayer: Lord, make me part of your remnant with deep roots below and abundant fruit above.

See how that works? I’m just getting started, but I love how God is teaching me simple ways to pray that are do-able for me right where I am!

If you prayed a prayer based on scripture today, I’d love to hear it.

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