Feelings are Fickle

Today's episode will uncover a common cognitive distortion which often contradicts the reality of our lives and leads us to feeling less worthy of our accomplishments.  Discover some biblical truths and how you can challenge this underlying belief.

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Transcript

Welcome to the second episode of WholeHeart Conversations, I am your host, Constance Lavonice.

I was engaging in a text exchange last week about my first podcast episode and I received this response.

“I always struggle with feeling like I’m cosplaying life because I grew up poor.”

And this is from someone who is succesful and accomplished.

The comment was made lightheartedly, but I understood the sentiment and I started to think of  people who grow up poor and overcome obstacles and challenges to achieve what society views as success, as well as the individuals who come from impoverished backgrounds, who are now entering colleges and workplaces or simply being acknowledged because of their hard work and accomplishments.

And then there are people currently living in poverty hoping for a better life.

As I reflect back on the statement, I realized it’s a misconception that a person who is poor or comes from a background of poverty is somehow deficient. And it becomes etched into the psyche.

It’s actually, a cognitive distortion- which is a faulty way of thinking that often contradict the reality of our lives.

Today, we call it the Imposter Syndrome.

So, if you are in a place or a position in your life right now and you ponder a similar thought in your mind, recognize that being poor or coming from an impoverished background doesn’t define who you are.  God does!

Despite what society thinks, God has a heart for the poor 

Society views poverty as a negative, but God doesn’t.

So, the next time you are tempted to think that you are cos-playing or an imposter because you grew up poor, I want you to offer you two considerations.

The first is God’s heart for the poor and the second consideration is the strengths that you have acquired and carry as a result of your experience of poverty. 

  I want to give you some scriptures to consider God’s heart for the poor.

Psalm 14:31 Whoever oppresses the poor show contempt for their maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.

God loves the poor and He is concerned about your welfare.

Psalm 109:31- For He stands at the right hand of the needy, to save their lives from those who would condemn them 

God is with you and for you and He stands at your right hand.

Proverbs 17:5 whoever mocks the poor insults his maker.  

You are a reflection of God and God takes pride in you.

David wrote, in Psalm 140:12 (NIV), I know the LORD secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy.

God secures justice and acts on the behalf of the poor.

And finally, Psalm 113:7-8 He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; He seats them with princes, with the princes of His people.

God is with you, He’s been with you, He sees you and He will cause you to prosper!

The second consideration is to reflect on all the strengths that you have developed as a result of growing up with limited financial resources.

Money management, reliance on God, your level of motivation, resourcefulness, resilience, your  work ethic, the ability to enjoy and take pleasure in the simple things in life.

As you reflect, you’ll think of more.  Write them down, so you can remember.

Merge those two together (God’s heart for the poor and the strengths that you have acquired) and when you’re tempted to feel like an imposter, remind yourself of the truth of your reality, as evidenced by your life.

Feelings are fickle and they change often, but the truth never does.