A Script I Preach to Myself

Replacing the Enemy’s Lies with God’s Truth

By: Lysa TerKeurst

I’ll never forget the first time a girl in elementary school told me I was ugly.

It felt like the world stopped spinning and, suddenly, everyone was looking in my direction nodding in agreement. Red-hot shame filled my cheeks. I ran to the bathroom. I stared at my face in the mirror. I didn’t bother to wipe away the tears. I just stood there wishing I could cover up whatever it was that made that girl determine I wasn’t acceptable.

It wasn’t just a part of me that she thought was ugly. It was the sum total of me. Not just my hair or my nose or my body. . . it was all of me. The saddest part of all. . .I agreed with her.

It’s been decades since that incident that said way more about that other little girl’s issues than mine. I can still find myself staring into the mirror agreeing with statements that are so opposite of God’s truth. We know the enemy is the father of lies (John 8:44). But where I get tripped up is when my insecurities make his lies feel like the loudest truth in my head.