“What’s wrong with me?” I asked myself in a frustrated and condemning tone. I had missed an important Zoom meeting that morning, forgotten to give my daughter her morning medication, and set off our home security alarm, which meant I had shouted that same question inside my head more than once within a few hours. But when I had done it the third time, I noticed it wasn’t just a question, it was a big assumption I made — far too often.
Whether I forget to do something important or don’t know where I put my keys, miss a deadline or mess up dinner, or walk into a room and can’t remember why I went in there, I assume I’m defective. And that morning, I sensed God wanted me to see how damaging it was by showing me what I was doing:
Every time I ask, “What’s wrong with me?” I actually tell myself, Something is wrong with me.
And unfortunately, the damage of my self-criticism doesn’t end with my internal insults. When I Iabel myself as defective, I live in a state of discouragement and distraction, trying to figure out my elusive faults and find a way to hide or fix them. What I really need to fix is what I’m saying to and assuming about myself.
How often do you berate yourself with questions and assumptions that make you feel defective? When was the last time you thought, What is wrong with me?
I think we all do it for different reasons, but I believe we have at least one reason in common. We have a spiritual enemy who is a pro at pointing out all that is wrong with us (real or perceived) and helping us forget anything that is right with us.
Scripture tells us that when Satan lies, he speaks his native language because he is a liar and the father of lies (John 8:44). His intent is to get us to believe lies that make us feel defective, defeated, and discouraged.
It’s what he did with Eve in the Garden. He got her to take her eyes off who she was and all that she had as God’s child, to focus on what she lacked, and to spend her time figuring out how to hide her inadequacies.
Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden at the time of the evening breeze, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. So the Lord God called out to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” And he said, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked, so I hid.” Then he asked, “Who told you that you were naked?
Genesis 3:8-11 (CSB)
Notice how God asked them who told them they were naked. In other words, “Who told you something is wrong with you?” By asking this question, God acknowledged someone else was casting shame on them — and it wasn’t Him.
He wanted them to know there was another character in their story, someone speaking lies into their hearts, causing them to move away from Him and each other. We have the same enemy who wants us to believe something is wrong with us, too. But aren’t you tired of feeling like something is wrong with you and trying to figure out how to fix or hide your elusive faults? I am.
What if, instead of going along with him, we stopped and asked ourselves, Who is telling me something is wrong with me? Who or what is making me feel defective and defeated? Is it me? Or is it the enemy of my soul telling me lies I so easily believe?
Let’s change the questions we ask and the assumptions we make about ourselves.
We can start by recognizing Satan’s schemes and defusing his deceit with the Truth. For instance, the next time you feel defeated or defective, instead of asking What’s wrong with me?, stop and tell yourself all that is right with you:
You are God’s “workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works” (Ephesians 2:10).
You are “remarkably and wondrously made” (Psalm 139:14).
“In all these things [you] are more than [a conqueror] through Him who loved [you]” (Romans 8:37).
And then ask Jesus to help you remember where you put the keys or why you walked into that closet. Period. The end. With Christ in you, there is nothing wrong with you. Don’t let anyone, not even yourself, convince you otherwise.
What truth do you need to speak over yourself today?
Leave a Comment
Linda Wilson says
That Scripture when Jesus asks “Who told you” is a real eye opener for me! I never thought of it that way that Jesus is letting Adam know that someone is filling his head with lies!
Judy M Wagner says
Thank you for this message and giving me a different perspective on my own questions. I have often asked myself, what is wrong with me and another question— why can’t I do anything right. My father died last August after being on Hospice since May. I felt like everything I did was wrong, that I couldn’t do anything right. It is taking me a long time to realize that God was in control and that it was out of my hands. My dad was ready to pass but I wasn’t ready to let him go so it seemed like everything I did for him was wrong. But God had it right all along. I am Blessed and I am enough and God’s love makes it all right.
Bev Rihtarchik says
Renee,
Oh how the enemy knows our Achilles heel, and he comes after us with a vengeance! I certainly haven’t mastered what I’m about to share, but it has helped me recognize the condemnation of the enemy when he comes calling. When I ask what’s wrong with me or criticze myself with a “You’re so ________” or “You always _______” (fill in the negative words that come out), I ask myself three key questions: 1. Is this thought making me anxious? 2. Is this thought condemning me? 3. Does the thought I’m having line up with what the Bible says is true about me? If the answers are “yes,” “yes,” and “no,” than I know the thought is from the enemy and it’s up to me to kick him and his lies to the curb as soon as possible. Also, It’s hard for me to envision God saying to me, “What wrong with you?” If God wouldn’t say that to me, then I need to immitate His example and not say it to myself. “There is therefore now NO condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1 Words to live by!
Blessings,
Bev xx
Stephanie says
Needed this truth! Thank you so much for sharing, Renee! I need to keep reminding myself of the truth that God is so good and I am so loved by Him. God bless, friends! ❤️
Olivia says
Thank you for the reminder that what has made is good. God is good all the time and all the time God is good.
Andree Hidalgo says
Thank you, Renee, for this eye opener! I’m my own worst enemy and always HEAR these thoughts and make them real in my heart, mind and actions. I too really was enlightened by your explanation to us that Christ asked Adam….Who told you such? Thank you for this devo~many women (ME!) need to hear it!
Julie Smith says
Thank you for your words of wisdom. They made me change my perspective when I say “what’s wrong with me” or “you’re so stupid”. Now I can see these are actually lies of Satan, certainly not from God. I will snuff them out as the lies they are. Thank you so much.
Penny says
Renee
Thank-you for this very helpful reminder to not give in to the negative thoughts as they are very damaging, and take away from God’s love for us
.Blessings to all,
Penny
Madeline says
Thank you for a much needed reminder. I feel like I have this tape playing in an endless loop pointing out all my faults. Yes, I am remarkably and wondrously made.
Kelly says
I so needed to read your encouraging word today. I’ve been saying “ what’s wrong with you! Satan attacks my faith a lot as well. I’m glad I’m not alone. Thank you.
Karen Knowles says
Thanks, Renee! We all need this reminder at times.
Theresa Boedeker says
Love this. Asking who is telling us this. Such wise advice. If it is a negative and condemning voice, it is not Christ.
Irene says
I love this! Thank you so much for your words, Renee! I do this very same thing quite often and I need to remember I am God’s creation. I may not be perfect, but I can be made perfect in Him.
Beth Williams says
Renee,
We could be twins. I am awful at asking such questions. Better yet each time I make a mistake I hear “you’re stupid, dumb, why even try.” Yes those are lies from the enemy. Like Bev I try to kick his rear to the curb by citing scripture over myself. I am more than a conqueror through Christ who strengthens me. I am a child of almighty God-He doesn’t make mistakes. I am fearfully & wonderfully made in the image of God. By calling myself those names I am in turn calling Jesus the same. With Christ in you, there is nothing wrong with you. AMEN!!
Blessings 🙂
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