The Lies We Carry
Scripture: “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” – John 8:32
What lie do you carry about yourself?
We all carry lies about ourselves. Some lie deep in our subconscious, quietly shaping our actions and relationships. Others are louder, forming a running script in our minds that plays on repeat. For me, one of the loudest lies I’ve believed is this: I am a burden.
It comes from some not so great places in childhood and teenage years. And even though I’ve funded the wing in a local therapist’s home, when I’m stressed or life doesn’t seem manageable, those feelings and words creep back in.
When I’m struggling that belief whispers, telling me to pull back, stay quiet (yes, that is true!), and figure it out on my own. It tells me that asking for help or being vulnerable is too much for others to handle. I watch for cues that my relationships are “vested” in me, and on the slightest inking that they aren’t, I bail.
It showed(s) up in subtle ways—hesitating to share my struggles, apologizing unnecessarily, or assuming that my needs were too much. It convinced me to hold everything inside, creating a wall between me and the very people who wanted to help me.
However, over time, I’ve learned that this lie isn’t just about my relationships with others—it’s about my relationship with myself.
It’s a weight I’ve carried far too long.
Brianna Wiest describes these lies as “invisible barriers”—the subconscious beliefs that keep us stuck. They don’t show up as dramatic obstacles but as quiet, insidious thoughts that shape our behavior and limit our growth.
Why do we carry them? Often, it’s because they feel safer than the truth.
For me, believing I’m a burden lets me avoid the risk of rejection. If I never ask for help, I’ll never have to face someone saying no. But here’s the catch: avoiding the risk also means avoiding the possibility of freedom.
Wiest writes that healing begins when we ask ourselves the hard questions:
- Why am I still carrying this belief?
- What purpose does it serve?
For me, this lie doesn’t protect me—it weighs me down. It’s like carrying a boulder in my backpack on a mountain climb, convincing myself it’s essential while knowing it’s making every step harder.
Confronting the Lie
The first step to letting go of the lie is naming it. I had to look it in the face and ask: Is this true?
That’s when scripture became a guide. John 8:32 reminds us that truth sets us free. But knowing the truth isn’t just about acknowledging it—it’s about confronting the lie.
What does truth look like for me? It looks like rejecting the thought that I am a burden and embracing the reality that I am enough. Not because I’ve earned it, but because I was created that way.
Psychologists call this “reframing”—challenging a negative belief and replacing it with something accurate. For me, it meant taking the whisper of “You’re too much” and countering it with, “You are worthy.”
A New Narrative
Wiest teaches that the lies we carry often originate in unresolved emotions—fear, shame, guilt—and that they linger because we haven’t processed them. Letting go of the lie isn’t about pretending it never existed; it’s about recognizing it, processing it, and choosing to leave it behind.
When I started doing this work, it felt strange—uncomfortable, even. But with each small step, I began to feel lighter. The climb didn’t seem as daunting, not because the mountain had changed but because I’d let go of the weight that wasn’t mine to carry.
Reflection Questions:
- What lies about yourself have you been carrying?
- How have those lies shaped your decisions or sense of self?
- What truth can you embrace today to counteract those lies?
Prayer:
Loving God, I confess that I’ve carried lies about myself for far too long. Help me to see myself through your truth. Teach me to confront the beliefs that weigh me down and to replace them with the knowledge of who you’ve created me to be. Thank you for guiding me through the hard questions and into a place of freedom. Amen.
Action Step:
Write down one lie you’ve been carrying about yourself. Ask yourself: Why am I still holding onto this? Then, write a truth to counteract it and repeat that truth whenever the lie tries to return.
Closing Thought:
The lies we carry aren’t just mental clutter—they’re barriers to transformation. Brianna Wiest reminds us that healing requires honesty, courage, and the willingness to release what no longer serves us. When you let go of the lies, you create space for freedom, growth, and truth.