You’ve Been Working on This All Your Life!
“Your mountain is the thing you think you cannot overcome, the obstacle you believe stands in your way. But what if the mountain is not in your way? What if the mountain is your way?” — Brianna Wiest
Believe it or not, we are a lot like icebergs. While in Iceland, Tom and I went hiking on an iceberg. From a distance, the iceberg looked smooth and beautifully white, glistening in the sunlight. But as we drew closer, I noticed it wasn’t “white” at all. It actually looked really dirty. So much so that it was initially disappointing.
As we hiked, however, we learned what the apparent “dirt” really was.
It was layered—strata of ice and snow compressed over time, streaked with volcanic ash, dirt from storms, and pockets of frozen air. Each layer told a story of survival, change, and resilience.
Our self-concept is much the same. We’ve spent our entire lives developing our self-concept. Like the iceberg we hiked in Iceland, the part of us visible to others—the “white” surface—is only a fraction of who we are. Beneath the surface lies a massive, intricate structure shaped by the influences and inputs of our lives.
Think about the voices that have spoken into your life: your parents, your close family members, your peers. What they said—whether intentionally or unintentionally—created the foundation of your self-concept. Over time, these inputs became self-evident truths, affirmed through personal experiences and reinforced by our brains’ natural wiring.
Here’s the tricky part: our brains are designed to protect us, and one way they do that is by confirming what we already believe, confirmation bias.
Rather than challenging old ideas about ourselves, our brains seek evidence to support them.
If we’ve internalized the idea that we’re “not good enough,” our minds will filter out successes and fixate on failures, reinforcing that belief.
If we’ve internalized the belief that we are a burden, our minds will filter out evidence of love and acceptance, focusing instead on moments where we feel we ‘get in the way’ or fall short.
Adjusting our self-concept is challenging because it requires us to confront deeply ingrained patterns. But it’s not impossible. Transformation begins with recognizing the layers of our iceberg and discerning which ones reflect the truth of who we are and which ones are distortions.
Psalm 139:14 reminds us, “I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”
But do we really know it?
Or do we allow old beliefs, fears, and external voices to keep us from seeing the truth of our divine design?
Brianna Wiest writes, “The mountain is not meant to punish you. The mountain is meant to awaken you.” Sometimes, the mountain isn’t an external obstacle—it’s the journey of facing ourselves, uncovering what lies beneath, and embracing the fullness of who God created us to be.
Transformation begins when we’re willing to take a closer look—at both the beauty and the messiness of our layers. Wiest reminds us, “The process of transformation is not about becoming someone else, but rather unbecoming everything you are not.” Each layer of our self-concept—whether shaped by fear, pain, or triumph—carries a lesson. Yet, some layers no longer serve us, and holding onto them keeps us from the freedom and wholeness God desires for us.
Jesus often challenged people to look beyond their surface identities. He saw Zacchaeus, a tax collector, as someone capable of extraordinary generosity. He met the woman at the well and invited her to move beyond her shame into a new identity as a source of living water for others. In Matthew 16:24-25, He said, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.”
The “cross” can be seen as the weight of our self-concept—the parts of ourselves we cling to out of fear. Losing our life isn’t about erasing who we are; it’s about shedding the false layers that keep us from embracing who we’re meant to be.
Letting go of old layers is not easy, but it is necessary for growth. Transformation happens when we take small, intentional steps to move closer to who we truly are—God’s beloved, uniquely designed for a purpose.
Action Steps
- Pause and Reflect: Take time to identify the “layers” of your self-concept. What stories about yourself do you hold onto that no longer serve you? Write them down.
- Embrace Your Layers: Reflect on the beauty in your layers, even those that come from pain or failure. Ask God to help you see how they have shaped your resilience and strength.
- Let Go of the Old: Choose one layer or belief that you are ready to release. Perhaps it’s a fear, a limiting belief, or a past hurt. Pray for the courage to let it go.
- Speak Truth: Replace lies about yourself with scripture. For example, when self-doubt arises, remind yourself, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).
- Take One Step Up the Mountain: Identify one small, actionable step to move toward your authentic self. It could be seeking guidance, stepping into a new opportunity, or simply treating yourself with more grace.
Prayer
Loving Creator,
Thank You for making me fearfully and wonderfully, with layers of beauty, strength, and growth. Help me to see myself as You see me—not limited by fear or failure, but as a masterpiece in progress. Give me the courage to let go of what no longer serves me and the faith to step into the fullness of who You created me to be. As I climb the mountain within and explore the depths of my soul, may I draw closer to Your truth and live boldly in Your love. Amen.
Closing Thought
The mountain is not your enemy; the iceberg is not a mystery. Both are invitations to draw closer, look deeper, and become the person God always intended you to be. Take the first step today, trusting that God is guiding you every layer of the way.