WHEN I WAS A CHILD, I TALKED LIKE A CHILD, I THOUGHT LIKE A CHILD, I REASONED LIKE A CHILD…NOW WE SEE BUT A POOR REFLECTION AS IN A MIRROR; THEN WE SHALL SEE FACE TO FACE. NOW I KNOW IN PART; THEN I SHALL KNOW FULLY, EVEN AS I AM FULLY KNOWN
(1 Corinthians 13:11-12).

Have you ever wondered how your memories were formed during childhood?  Would you be surprised to know that your mind works like a tape recorder, having recorded every experience since the time of birth very accurately?  During childhood, when something happened to you, your mind recorded the FACTS of that event. But, while that memory was being made, you also made certain INTERPRETATIONS (true or false) about these facts.  These interpretations were recorded permanently into your mind, as well. Along with the facts and the interpretations, certain EMOTIONS cropped up, too, which were also permanently recorded in your mind during the forming of your memories. Know that these emotions were permanently linked with the interpretations you made.

When your mind recorded the facts, interpretations, and emotions during the making of your childhood memories, the father-of-lies was present.  His goal was (and still is) DECEPTION—luring you into false interpretations of your circumstances. Why? The father-of-lies came to destroy your heart by tying his negative, destructive beliefs of abandonment, shame, rejection, and condemnation to your childhood facts, emotions, and interpretations. He knew if he could get you to make false interpretations about yourself, others, and God, during childhood, you would be impaired for the rest of your life, since these false interpretations carried over into your adulthood.  And because of these wrong childhood interpretations, you see but a poor reflection of yourself, others, and God, now, as an adult.

GOD FROM THE BEGINNING CHOSE YOU FOR SALVATION THROUGH SANCTIFICATION BY THE SPIRIT AND BELIEF IN THE TRUTH
(2 Thessalonians 2:13).

What false interpretations did you make during childhood, when your memories were formed?  How do these affect your life, today, through your feelings?

Even though the father-of-lies lured you into false conclusions as a child, God chose you to believe in the Truth as an adult. Expose your childhood conclusions that are causing you to feel abandoned, shameful, rejected, and condemned to Him, and ask Him for His Truth, today. He will show you who you are, because He knows you fully.

PRAYER: Most High, how encouraged I am that, although I see but a poor reflection of myself, I am fully known by You. Lord, I long to know the real ME: the person who was created in Your image…the person without the negative, destructive beliefs of the father-of-lies…the person who lives in the Truth. Help me to find the false childhood conclusions I had made about myself, others, and You, so I could see myself, others, and You in the face of Your Glory.