One of life’s most challenging things is to grow out of your limiting beliefs.
Growing beyond what you believe is no small challenge. We genuinely hold tightly to our Savior-level opinions, and that’s not healthy. It is true that once you believe something, you see life through the paradigm of that belief.
Let’s say you believe a particular person is a liar, and you know that’s true. That sounds weird. But, the lying person privately decides to stop lying. Let’s remember people can change their negative behavior. Even though the liar has changed their mind, this does not change how others see them, and convincing others of that change is challenging.
Another person loves conspiracies. Conspiracy evangelists crave hearing bizarre episodes of what is not-so-happening. Have you ever submitted factual evidence and facts to those under the hypnotic spell of conspiracy? You will most likely hit a cerebral brick wall and hear some off-the-wall concepts that resemble the matrix.
So the big question is, what inhibits us from changing our minds so that we can grow out of our limiting beliefs?
Examine the root of the belief
Most beliefs are established in childhood, and mental root systems plant through learning, trials, trauma, tragedy, and relationships. And experiences. In order to grow out of your limiting beliefs, you first have to find the root of them.
For instance, some people encounter mistrust at an early age. I know a young lady who watched her dad get his jollies gawking down women, and she naturally defaulted to the belief that “you cannot trust men.”
The man that is a plumber is untrustworthy.
The man that is a preacher is untrustworthy.
Her husband cannot be trusted.
No man is trustworthy.
Do you see the root of the belief? Do you see how negative beliefs bleed over into multiple areas and set up strongholds in the soul?
Maybe you have a negative experience that planted a root of distrust, bitterness, or insecurity. We must identify these roots and dig them out to grow beyond the encounter.
Know the difference between the truth and your belief
One of the biggest reasons why people can’t grow out of their limiting beliefs is that humans are naturally preprogrammed to resist information that contradicts our beliefs. We indeed find what we look for and are eager to embrace what validates our preconceived mindset.
Google is a great search engine. But Google and the internet can be a part of our problem. Google and social media load our phones with links that reinforce our conversations and former clicks. So Google works a lot like people; it gives us more of what we already want. This is debilitating.
Do you agree that we seek out people who agree with us and those who fail to challenge our beliefs? Lies love company and believing lies only strengthens them and keeps us wrapped up in falsities.
The wrong truth only strengthens our erroneous beliefs. It’s easy to find folks that agree with us, and plenty of people out there believe what you believe.
The fact that we can easily find agreement with others about our beliefs, does not make our beliefs accurate or correct. It is true if it is true. Just because you think something is true does not make it valid. It is common for people to believe in something that’s not true.
Some folks still believe the earth is flat, some are convinced Bigfoot is real, and others believe human life exists on other planets. I am not saying what is accurate or not true, and I am saying that people believe in things with no significant evidence.
And often, we do not seek out the truth because we don’t want to know the truth. We would rather believe a lie than think our reality is not valid.
It’s important to know the difference between the truth and your belief because “truth is freedom”. Lies equal bondage, and control; a type of prison.
Deception and withholding of truth is the method of dictators and communists. A lack of truth holds people in bondage and limits our ability to grow, change and flourish.
Buy the truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding. (Proverbs 23:23, ESV.)
Grow by opening up your mind to another opinion
The greatest weakness to learning and growing out of your limiting beliefs is to think you already know. You may know a particular subject, but that does not mean there is not more to learn, and it also does not guarantee your view about that topic was correct.
They exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator — who is forever praised. Amen. (Romans 1:25, ESV)
Truth is progressive, and so are you. Were you ever confident that you had “the skinny” on a topic? But after years of study, you realized you were wrong or misguided? You discover this and grow by opening up your mind and being teachable. Can you see that “thinking you know” stops or limits you and makes you look foolish?
Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, For he will despise the wisdom of your words. (Proverbs 23:9, NKJV)
Those without a teachable spirit can never change and grow. Don’t be that person. Open your heart and mind to debate, wise counsel, and search for the absolute truth. We must also seek counsel to uncover our conspiracy PTSD, control, deception, bitterness, un-forgiveness, and judgment.
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But he who heeds counsel is wise. (Proverbs 12:15, NKJV)
You can start today on a journey of growing out of limiting beliefs by:
- Laying down preconceived ideas.
- Being willing to allow new ideas and new information to change your paradigm.
- Asking others for their view on some issues.
- Seeking organizations and information sources that have impeccable records for delivering the actual story.
- Finding a trusted voice and advisor.
These steps are a better path to get beyond your limiting beliefs.
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