Kris Valloton talks about a study that showed whatever we first learn about a subject we will always compare against what we’re told about it after. I don’t know how to word that better but here’s an example: If you are first taught that God created the earth when you go to school and they teach you about evolution the evolution teaching will be bounced against what you were first taught about creation. What you are first taught you are likely to believe your whole life.
There’s an elderly woman I know, a christian for most of her life, we’ll call her Beth. As a child Beth was often told by her mother that she hated her and wished she was never born. Beth grew up and became a pastor’s wife who helped and counselled many over the years. She has been loved and cherished by all. Her walk with God impacted and changed lives. Many have gathered around her as she’s aged to care for her and love on her. Because of the rejection she experienced as a child she has never felt the love people have for her. She lives in a state of perpetual rejection. If you say you love her, she’ll say, “I don’t think Jim does”. If you invest time in her she’ll tell you Jane never comes around. She lives in a state of poverty and lack of love because she was first taught she was unloveable.
65 years of serving God, healing the sick, delivering people from demons, caring for the orphan, the widow, the poor. And yet unloveable.
Beth is a worshipper. She could be found many times pouring out her love and adoration for God, with tears pouring down her face. And yet unloveable.
She’s been diagnosed with cancer multiple times but cancer can’t live in her body. Each time she would receive the diagnosis she would begin to thank God for his goodness and the next time she went back to the doctor it would be gone. And yet unloveable.
Beth was first taught that sickness had to bow to the name of Jesus so she believed that God is good and sovereign and in everything we should give thanks. Beth had faith for the healing the cancer in her body but not the cancer in her soul. She was first taught that she was unloveable and all the love poured out towards her has bounced off of that.
I would challenge you that there are truths our spirits were first taught and they trump the things of the mind and body. Listen and remember what was really first said about you, “I loved you before the foundation of the world. I was the first one to love you. Before your parents even knew you existed I was lovingly creating you in your mother’s belly. I know your name! I’ve counted the hairs on your head! Who else can say that?”
Close your eyes and think back with your spirit man and hear the first words ever spoken over you: “I love you.” Let the Holy Spirit guide your memory forward again and begin to bounce all the other words off of that truth.
