Break the LOOP

Don't obey loops. Break them.

I love Bible studies. (I wish this were the end of this newsletter. Haha!)

Young people of various backgrounds reading, praying, dissecting, and applying God’s word together? YES, please!

A study on just one chapter of scripture prompts such deep and edifying discussions within our group.

Our time together is filled with new spiritual revelations, personal stories, and a call to remember who God is.

We laugh, and as we connect with God, our hearts are raised toward heaven in unison.

But there are days when I’m alone and my thoughts spiral—stuck in a loop that I can’t seem to break.

I wrestle with the loop as it encroaches on my identity and disrupts my peace. My faith is left exposed—fragile and uncertain.

In my exhaustion, I try to break the loop.

But how?

A study I’ve found and used is called Break the LOOP, which helps me break and detach from destructive thought patterns and reclaim my power.

In the study, LOOP is a practical anchor and acronym for:
L - Locate the lie
O - Overrule it with the Word
O - Own your authority
P - Practice truth until it sticks

The Father of Lies

Here are some of the lies the devil has taunted me with over the years. You may (or may not) relate to these:

| You are not enough | God doesn’t see you | You do not belong | God is punishing you | Stay angry for as long as you want, it’s your right! | You will never be loved | Isolate yourself from them—they don’t understand you | Why do you pray? Is he even listening? | If you do this one thing (insert sin here), you’ll feel so much better |

And the list goes on…

John 8:44 (NIV) tells us, “He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”

With this in mind, we can develop strategies to know satan’s voice and decide not to let his lies take root in our minds and hearts.

When his voice belittles you with shame, guilt, pain, loneliness, and disappointment, feelings intensify and masquerade as truth.

Then this truth serves as the faulty foundation on which decisions are made.

But remember what his title is—the father of lies.

Locate the lie. See it for the bait it is.
The devil did not hire you for his PR department, so why make his job easier?

Resist the urge to attach his lies to your identity and life.

The Sword of the Spirit

We have a strong, spiritual defense against the enemy’s tactics. It is the best one and should be part of our daily armor.

This is the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.

When lies are thrown your way, remember what the Word says about you:

• YOU ARE created in His Image (Gen. 1:27)

  *you express His radiant beauty and loving nature*

• YOU ARE fearfully and wonderfully made (Ps. 139:14)

  *HE created you with intention and deep love, making no mistakes*

• YOU ARE a child of God (John 1:12)

  *you are a beloved member of His family, and this does not change*

• YOU ARE chosen (1 Pet. 2:9)

  *you are royal, chosen for a special purpose, rich in mercy*

• YOU ARE His masterpiece (Ep. 2:10)

  *you are His handiwork, prepared for good gifts and works*

• YOU ARE free in Christ (Gal. 5:1)

  *in Christ, you have true freedom, unburdened from the chains of the law*

Knowing what the Word says about you gets you ready and in position, but believing what the Word says about you is your spiritual ammunition against the darts of the evil one.

Overrule the lie with the Word. The WORD has and is true and living power.

Seated in Heavenly Places

For God to say we are seated in heavenly places with Him is a true reflection of His authority, elevating us to a supreme position: life in Christ.

This elevation is not by our own efforts, but by God’s grace.

In this position, we know we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. We know His power is made perfect in our weakness.

And so, we are permitted to walk in true authority on Earth, and it equips us to live a life of boldness, lacking in nothing, and basking in His love.

Your friend, Jesus, held His head high and went to the cross. And as He hung there, He was thinking about you and me before we ever came into existence.

His sacrifice heralded a permanent victory that has echoed across time.

And in His resurrection, a prevailing power was poured out over our lives and in us. This is your victory, your freedom, and your authority.

Own it and keep your head up.

Practice Truth Until it Sticks

David commanded his soul to praise God because it wasn’t an action that came naturally.

And while David had his fair share of battles, one could argue that we are more distracted, disconnected, and dysregulated than people in his day.

Practicing the truth of the Bible takes time, effort, repetition, and consistency. It doesn’t come naturally.

Modern-day Christians face a profound struggle: listening for God’s gentle whisper in a world determined to drown it out.

And, in a world where truth is ever-changing and up to personal interpretation, how do we practice the Truth? First, we need to know it.

Jesus says, “I am the way and the truth and the life.” (John 14:6 NIV)

To practice truth, we need to know truth. To know the truth, we must know who Jesus is.

And to know Him, we must diligently search the scriptures and invite Him into our hearts—over and over again, with intention, purpose, discipline, and sacred time.

If your thoughts are stuck in a loop, you’re exactly where the enemy wants you to be.

Use the Break the LOOP anchor in your personal study time to break loops and walk in His truth and the authority He has bestowed on you.

LOOP = Locate the lie. Overrule it with the Word. Own your authority. Practice truth until it sticks.

When a lie is thrown at you, play dodgeball and hit back with the Truth.
Beloved, remember what the Word says about you!

from a humble and gracious heart to yours,

𝓹𝓮𝓪𝓻𝓵𝓼