Self beat up is something we do to ourselves. The dark words we call ourselves. The way we tear ourselves up over things we have done. It is the blame we take on. It is the deep hurt we carry within. We churn it over and over in our minds. We don’t let it go.
Some of us grow up with this way of handling challenging even life altering experiences. We own responsibility even when we are the victim. It is easier to accept what happened if we are the reason why. At least that is what I would tell myself.
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you ; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. 11 “All who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced; those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish. 12 Though you search for your enemies, you will not find them. Those who wage war against you will be as nothing at all. 13 For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. (Isaiah 41: 10-13 NIV).
A skilled practitioner asked me what this self beat up looked like. I imagined it leaving my body and it was a pile of barbed wire. She aptly said, “Oh something we push down inside and tears us up.” She helped me turn it over to Jesus.
Sometimes our greatest enemy is ourselves. We are hardest on ourselves. I am quick to offer grace to others and will hold the same offense against myself for eternity. God still says, “Do not fear; I will help you.” He has given me help. He has shown me how to offer grace to myself.
It feels so good not carrying to barbed wire around anymore.
Do you choose self beat up? Do you take challenges and disappointments out on yourself? Are you willing to accept God’s help? Share your story here to breathe life and bring hope to others.