Books on writing tell us to identify the lie our protagonist believes. This lie creates anxiety and drives conflict. Usually, in the protagonist’s journey, she/he has an epiphany concerning the lie, and changes in her/his life follow.
Do we believe a lie? Has the lie caused conflict and anxiety in our lives? Could we begin a journey in which we grow and change as a fictional character does in her character arc? Could we create our own epiphany by stepping out of our own story and identifying that lie we believe? Or perhaps we already know what the lie is but we don’t want to put it on the table. We think it’s easier to ditch the truth and believe the lie.
I imagine we believe many lies. Most likely we wouldn’t need therapy to make changes. Often reading the Bible with an open mind can help us recognize what our old Self wants to believe.
But this believing-lies idea intrigued me. So I opened The Emotional Wound Thesaurus by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi. For every type of wound they provide “False beliefs that could be embraced.” For some lies we might believe, I chose five wounds from The Emotional Wound Thesaurus and picked two lies that might manifest.
“Trying to make a better life is useless because someone will just take it from me.”
“Predators are everywhere; I can’t trust my information with anyone.”
“God knows I would be a bad parent; that’s why I can’t have children.”
“People will pity me if they find out, so it’s better to pretend I don’t want kids.”
“My life will never be better than this.”
“I’m useless. I’d be better off dead.”
“I’m a bad person.”
“I’m untrustworthy.”
“People are all hypocrites.”
“Why try to be a good person when no one else is?”
I can see how these false beliefs could produce anxiety and keep people from living the abundant life Jesus wants for us no matter what our circumstances.
The next time I suffer anxiety, I’ll ask myself what lie I’m believing at the moment. Then with the Holy Spirits help I’ll tell the lie to jump off a cliff. I’ll also remember Philippians 4:6:
The Putting Green Whisperer
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| Zoe M. McCarthy |
Do we believe a lie? Has the lie caused conflict and anxiety in our lives? Could we begin a journey in which we grow and change as a fictional character does in her character arc? Could we create our own epiphany by stepping out of our own story and identifying that lie we believe? Or perhaps we already know what the lie is but we don’t want to put it on the table. We think it’s easier to ditch the truth and believe the lie.
I imagine we believe many lies. Most likely we wouldn’t need therapy to make changes. Often reading the Bible with an open mind can help us recognize what our old Self wants to believe.
But this believing-lies idea intrigued me. So I opened The Emotional Wound Thesaurus by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi. For every type of wound they provide “False beliefs that could be embraced.” For some lies we might believe, I chose five wounds from The Emotional Wound Thesaurus and picked two lies that might manifest.
Identity Theft
False Beliefs:“Trying to make a better life is useless because someone will just take it from me.”
“Predators are everywhere; I can’t trust my information with anyone.”
Infertility
False Beliefs:“God knows I would be a bad parent; that’s why I can’t have children.”
“People will pity me if they find out, so it’s better to pretend I don’t want kids.”
Living with Chronic Pain or Illness
False Beliefs:“My life will never be better than this.”
“I’m useless. I’d be better off dead.”
Failing to Do the Right Thing
False Belief:“I’m a bad person.”
“I’m untrustworthy.”
Being Disappointed by a Role Model
False Belief:“People are all hypocrites.”
“Why try to be a good person when no one else is?”
I can see how these false beliefs could produce anxiety and keep people from living the abundant life Jesus wants for us no matter what our circumstances.
The next time I suffer anxiety, I’ll ask myself what lie I’m believing at the moment. Then with the Holy Spirits help I’ll tell the lie to jump off a cliff. I’ll also remember Philippians 4:6:
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.What lies have you struggled with or seen others believe?
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| About the Author |
A full-time writer and speaker, Zoe M. McCarthy, author of The Putting Green Whisperer, The Invisible Woman in a Red Dress, Gift of the Magpie, and Calculated Risk, writes contemporary Christian romances involving tenderness and humor. Believing opposites distract, Zoe creates heroes and heroines who learn to embrace their differences. When she’s not writing, Zoe enjoys her five grandchildren, teaching Bible studies, leading workshops on writing, knitting and crocheting shawls for a prayer shawl ministry, gardening, and canoeing. She lives with her husband in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. Zoe blogs regularly at www.zoemmccarthy.com.
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| The Putting Green Whisperer by Zoe M. McCarthy |
Shoo Leonard is grateful to Allie for her singular determination to get him ready for the PGA tour, but he isn't ready for anything more. Still raw from a broken engagement and focused on his career, he's content to be her fist-bumping buddy...but then he falls for her.
What seems like a happily-ever-after on the horizon takes a turn when Allie decides she's become a distraction to Shoo's career. Is it time for her to step away or can The Putting Green Whisperer find the right words to make her stay?
