On the other hand, we may feel very good about ourselves because we are winning the performance game. We may be so talented that we are reaching virtually every goal we have set for ourselves. We can’t afford to mistake this pride for positive self-worth.

The Trip In The Situation Phase 1: Bondage Use emotions to identify false beliefs and destructive thoughts. False beliefs Destructive thoughts Destructive emotions Destructive behavior Phase 2: Obedience Identify false beliefs; acknowledge destructive thoughts and behavior. Confession of false beliefs and destructive thoughts and behavior

But remember that such a drastic change in attitude is a process and that it’s important to be honest about your emotions. Don’t try to feel what you don’t feel. Put yourself in an environment of honesty and encouragement so that you can experience the process of growth.

As Christians, our fulfillment in this life depends not on our skills to avoid life’s problems but on our ability to apply God’s specific solutions to those problems. An accurate understanding of God’s truth is the first step toward discovering our significance and worth.

The first step to freedom is recognizing that life is distorted by our expectations of what we are going to experience.

1. To make the Truth Card, write out both the following truths and their corresponding verses from Scripture on the front of a three-by-five-inch index card: I am deeply loved by God (1 John 4:9–10). I am completely forgiven and am fully pleasing to God (Rom. 5:1). I am totally accepted by God (Col. 1:21–22). I am a new creation, complete in Christ (2

As I point out in my book The Search for Peace, if we hold on to unforgiveness, we cannot accept our own forgiveness.

Our true value is based not on our behavior or the approval of others but on what God’s Word says is true of us.

The second way we know if something is critical to our lives is to see if God gives much emphasis in His Word regarding a particular need.