Mirrors bring you face-to-face with you worst enemy.

I hate mirrors.  I mean, that may sound a bit dramatic, because I use them all the time, however, I honestly cannot stand them.  Why?

And this part of me is the absolute worst.
Whenever I hear this voice inside my head, I forget about all of the goodness that my day just brought me.
Can anyone relate?  Tell me I wasn’t the only one who watched Mulan and understood her completely when she sang,

Who is that girl I see, staring straight back at me?
Why is my reflection someone I don’t know?

Ugh.  Don’t get me wrong.  I love myself.  Honestly, I do.  I think positively about myself all the time and I count my blessings daily.

But the enemy knows that the greatest way to mess with us is to get inside our heads!

So even while I am sitting here blessed and highly favored, I can sense rejection from the stupidest things.
I’ll be working out and my worst enemy tells me that it’s not enough and that I’ll never achieve the results I want.
Or, I’m busy writing an article on how to put God first in your relationships and my worst enemy will tell me it’s total garbage and that no one will read it.

Even if you’re single or currently dating and you’re pretty sure that he’s a keeper, your worst enemy may be whispering in your ear that you’ll never find your Mr. Right and that everything you’re doing is a total waste of time because you’ll just end up alone or hurt all over again.

I can’t stand her.

She critiques everything I say, wears, and does.  She makes the compliments I receive from my husband and others seem insignificant (a downright lie).  My worst enemy reveals the truth about myself in the most crucial way possible.

The truth that I fear the plans that God has placed over my life.

Have you ever wondered how as soon as you get a Word from God (a confirmation, a direction, a vision, etc.) that your worst enemy immediately starts to throw shade at that very thing?

Earlier this year, I prayed over my business.  God told me that my calling was in writing.  Alright then, I’ll focus more on that.   But as soon as I made that decision, the enemy planted seeds of doubt, fear, and procrastination in me.
Why is it so difficult for us to remain steadfast and confident in the calling that God has given us?
I’ll tell you why.

It’s because that calling is the very thing that will liberate you and so many others from the thoughts and grasp of the enemy.

He totally knows that if you succeed, God’s kingdom is going to flourish.
And yeah, it can even mean that you losing a few pounds, or trusting God to continue pursuing a relationship could affect your life and the life of many others.

Think about it: Take weight loss as an example.  We never know who’s watching us.  With social media at our fingertips, a simple Instagram post of our gym time could inspire someone who follows you to think differently about themselves.
All of a sudden, they are facing their own worst enemy in the mirror and showing them that a better lifestyle and a better state of mind actually is possible.

I see it all the time with my posts about my “kisstory”. Every breakup I experienced gave my worst critic fuel to keep me believing that I wasn’t good enough to live a happy life with someone who was good for me.  Yet, God prevailed and I was able to overcome my own worst enemy, find someone who is extremely awesome, got married, and growing my family, just as my heart has always desired.

So how can you overcome your own worst enemy?

Remember who the real enemy is.

Ahh, that perfect line from the Hunger Games.  But it’s so true.  When we’re under attack with a negative thought about something that we logically know is good for us, then you have to remember that those thoughts are not of God, nor of your better judgment.  They are the enemy of the Lord.  And that enemy is out to destroy you, by any means necessary.

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.  I have come that they may have life, and they they have it more abundantly.
John 10:10 (NKJV)

Bring God into the process.

We are all a work in process.  Whether we’re writing a book, starting a new relationship, trying to be a better version of yourself, etc.  And anytime we aim for greater than where we currently stand, the enemy is gonna try to smack us back down with negative “truths”.

Believe you me, we were destined to do amazing things with our unique gifts and talents.  But if that honestly seems far-fetched, then bring God into the process.

I admit this will take some getting used to and a good amount of practice when it comes to faith.  However, if you believe that God is real and is fighting in your corner, then including Him in the plans that He already gave you should be a no-brainer.

To help you see how God is already at work in the process, and to see exactly how much you trust God when it comes to your love-life, click below to download my free Love Trust Test!

A lot of the time, we often think that we can handle this on our own.  But our worst enemy is cunning.  It knows how to get under our skin and how to say exactly what needs to be said to back us into a corner and stop moving forward.  In comes Jesus.  He doesn’t get phased by whatever the enemy tries to throw at Him.  His ways are not our ways.
And especially if He has called you to do something, He will most certainly equip you to make it possible.  So invite Him into your workout session, your dates, your writing sessions, and anywhere else your own worst enemy may be lingering.  Invite God to come to these places by praying, worshipping, or simply asking, “Lord, I need you to come into this setting and speak truth to me so that I can complete the mission You gave me.”

Trust that God is doing a good thing in you… for His glory.

Our struggles are never without reason.  They are always meant to bring us closer to helping others.  And the shameless voice inside your head knows this.  It’s not about you.  It’s so much bigger than that.
Sounds intimidating?  Don’t let it be.  Remember, you are not meant to go through this process alone.  Ever.

You are the Father; we are the clay, and You our potter; And all we are the work of Your hand.
Isaiah 64: 8

Whatever it is that you are going through is not only going to help you overcome being your own worst enemy, but it’s going to inspire others to transform their own way of thinking, renew their minds, and overcome the enemy within themselves.

And that doesn’t mean that you end up writing a book and going on tour to talk about it… unless that’s what you’re called to do.  It could mean a simple social share, a well-written story, a marriage that brings two families together, and creating a future generation where generational curses are broken… God’s glory can come from any of your obedience and trust in Him.
So the next time you look in the mirror, look at your worst enemy square in the eyes and give them a big ole’ smile.  Laugh at their petty tactics.  And stand confidently in knowing that they can’t defeat you any longer.

What helps you overcome your own worst enemy?  Share in the comments below!