Something about the culture in which we live often makes us feel that we are always the ones who are “wrong.” Modern societies are full of messages that say to us, “Something is wrong with you because you are not like I am. Something is wrong with you because you like that and I don’t. Something is wrong with you because you can’t do this as well as I can.” So we repeatedly hear the message, “what’s wrong with me?” “What’s wrong with me?” “What’s wrong with me?” After hearing it long enough, we get convinced something is desperately wrong with us and we become disabled emotionally. This wrong thinking negatively affects all relationships and everything we try to do.
People can find all kinds of reasons to say, “Something is wrong with you.” The world tells us how we need to look, how we need to behave, and what we should find entertaining. People seem to have an opinion on everything we think, say, and do. When we don’t agree with the world or accept its standards and values, we begin to wonder what’s wrong with us and questions begin to run through our minds about our abilities. These thoughts nag and haunt us, and even though we may not verbalize them, they often play like broken records in our minds. Same song, different verses:
• My spouse hardly speaks to me anymore. What’s wrong with me?
• I don’t like the same things my friends like. What’s wrong with me?
• My parents didn’t want me. What’s wrong with me?
• My parents abused me. What’s wrong with me?
• People in my class don’t like me. What’s wrong with me?
• I wasn’t chosen to serve on the committee. What’s wrong with me?
• I haven’t had a date in five years. What’s wrong with me?
• My teenage children treat me terribly. What’s wrong with me?
• I have never received a promotion at work. What’s wrong with me?
• My business failed. What’s wrong with me?
• My grades in school are not as good as my brother’s. What’s wrong with me?
The enemy wants us to become self-focused by making us try to figure out what’s wrong with ourselves. When we ask ourselves questions such as these, we are playing along with his plan. God, on the other hand, does not want us to be tormented by questions such as these and the feelings that accompany them. He wants us to know how much He loves us and to understand in the depths of our hearts that we are in right relationship with Him through faith in Jesus Christ. When we really believe we are right with God and accepted by Him, the enemy will no longer be successful in his attempts to make us feel bad about ourselves.
Think about It
List five things that are right or good about you. You may find this difficult if you have never done it, but be bold. You’re
