Untangle Those Nots
- Amy Loflin
- Apr 27
- 3 min read
How often are you tangled up in “nots”?
You know the ones. The quiet, persistent thoughts that slip in without invitation and stay longer than they should.
I’m not a good enough mom.
I’m not a strong leader.
I’m not capable of handling this.
I’m not likable.
I’m not…enough.
They don’t usually arrive loudly. They whisper and subtly dig roots until they’re powerful enough to shape the way we show up.
And before long, we’re tangled. We hesitate to speak up and miss out on opportunities. We overthink simple decisions. We shrink our world to match the story we’ve started to believe.
What’s striking is how often these “nots” feel like truth, when in reality, they’re often just unchallenged thoughts that have been rehearsed over time. The repetition gives them strength.
But here’s what I’ve been noticing lately.
Every “I’m not” is quietly pointing to something deeper. A place where we’ve measured ourselves against a standard we were never meant to meet. A place where our worth has become tied to performance, perfectionism, or comparison. If we stay there long enough, we don’t just doubt what we can do. We begin to question who we are.
So what if, instead of trying to silence or ignore the “nots,” we started giving them the attention they deserve? Progress comes when we choose to become tenderly curious about our nots. Because the goal isn’t just to think more positively. It’s to think more truthfully.
And truth has a way of loosening our thoughts when they’re tangled up in nots.
You were never meant to live from a place of “not enough.” You were formed with intention, invited into purpose, and deeply loved by God.
Reflections
Take a moment to consider and write down any “nots” that threaten to keep you in tangles.
Then, spend time with each one. Where did that belief come from? Is it actually true?
Prayer
Use the following prayer to set your focus on God, then share your heart with Him in your own words.
Father God,
You know the “nots” I carry. You see the lies that have tangled my thoughts and kept me from fully stepping into the life You have for me. They shape my relationships, influence my decisions, and quietly hold me back.
I want to be free of them. Free to live with the confidence, peace, and purpose You intend for me.
So I bring these “nots” before You. One by one.
Give me the courage to face them and the wisdom to see them in the light of Your truth. Help me understand where they began and gently untangle them from my thoughts.
Replace what is false with what is true. Where I have believed I am not enough, remind me of who You say I am.
Thank You for loving me too much to leave me stuck in lies. Thank You for Your patience, Your kindness, and Your steady work in me.
I love You, and I trust You.
Amen.
Do you have it?
If this stirred something in you, that’s exactly where A Story Worth Living begins. Through story and reflection, it will help you recognize the lies you’ve been carrying and gently replace them with truth.
Grab your copy today and begin experiencing the fullness of life God has for you.
