Identity and Destiny…how do I view myself, and where or who can I turn to with this self-assessment?

Real Dudes,
Do you often find yourself wrestling with some toxic thoughts that continue to replay over and over in your head? What are some ways in which you’ve attempted to deal with such poisonous thoughts in the past? I chose a few songs listed below that I can relate with on occasion…can you also relate to the following experiences or questions that these lyrics point out as you have conversations with yourself inside your own head? 

• You Say by Lauren Daigle https://life1019.com/songs/you-say/
  • “I keep fighting voices in my mind that say I’m not enough” 
    • For each of you individually, maybe ask yourself “I keep fighting voices in my mind that say __________________.” That say…what? You fill in the blank. What are these voices saying to you and how long will you allow them to continue speaking inside you? 
• Psycho in my Head by Skillet https://genius.com/Skillet-psycho-in-my-head-lyrics
  • “I hate the other side of me…There's a psycho in my head - Makin' me feel like I'm livin' in misery, misery - Insane - These voices in my brain - Startin' to feel like it's gonna be the death of me, death of me…Livin' in hysteria - Nothin' makes much sense tonight - Maybe I'm too scared to trust - To stop the chaos in my mind.” 
    • Deep down inside, what is it that you don’t like about yourself? What chaos is residing within you? Is it leading to misery, insanity, and or confusion? 
• In the Light by DC Talk https://www.songfacts.com/lyrics/dc-talk/in-the-light
  • “What's going on inside of me? I despise my own behavior.” 
    • We are oftentimes at a loss for words because of what we’re personally wrestling with. We can’t seem to be able to explain why we’re thinking what we’re thinking or explain why we’re doing what we’re doing, why? Has it led to turning against yourself…self-despise? 
• Destiny by Skillet https://genius.com/Skillet-destiny-lyrics
  • “Is there a place where I - Could leave the world behind - And say goodbye to every painful memory - Where darkness ain't my destiny?” 
    • Isn’t that true? Don’t we long to find that place? Don’t we just want to remove ourselves and go somewhere secluded when times get tough but struggle knowing where to go or who to turn to? Don’t we wish we could leave our past in the past but somehow it keeps lingering over and or following us? We look for light, but it seems like darkness has overtaken us? How is that possible? 

Wow! Lots of pain and rawness in those experiences and questions. Nothing sugarcoated, for sure, but yet good for self-evaluation. 
I suggest we lean into God…make Him our go-to. Find Him in His Word, in prayer, and in wise-council…listen and apply. I pray that this is when you’ll discover who He says you are from His perspective, and where or who He encourages you to turn to. 

Some encouraging songs/lyrics that can also help us refocus on our true identity and destiny are the following…

No Longer Slaves by Jonathan David and Melissa Helser https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8TkUMJtK5k
Voice of Truth by Casting Crowns https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cKm_mYVPQE
Who You Say I am by Hillsong https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKw6uqtGFfo
You Say by Lauren Daigle https://life1019.com/songs/you-say/
Where could I go but to the Lord by the Heritage Singers https://heritagesingers.com/track/450216/where-could-i-go-but-to-the-lord
Running to the Light by Brandon Lake
https://www.google.com/search?q=song+run+to+the+light&oq=song+run+to+the+light&aqs=chrome..69i57j33i160l2j33i299l2j33i22i29i30l5.3110j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:bd01dc7a,vid:f0EDCp6lOwI

Men…please feel free to share with me any particular songs and or verses from God’s Word that have proven to help you through such times in your life. Just maybe they could help someone else in need today as well. Would love to read what you have to suggest. We’re in this together!
Practicing His Presence,
Nate

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