The Top 10 Self-Limiting Beliefs That Hold You Back

This post will help you uncover the negative thoughts that stem from your limiting beliefs. Today, you’re gonna learn all about the top 10 self-limiting beliefs. By understanding and recognizing the most common self-limiting beliefs, you’ll be able to break free and thrive in the life you were designed to live!

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Do you ever feel like something is holding you back from living your full potential — the life God designed you for? 

As a Christian woman, you might struggle with self-limiting beliefs that affect how you see yourself and your potential. These beliefs can be sneaky, but the good news is — recognizing them is the first step to breaking free!

Have you ever felt like you’re not enough? 

Maybe you look in the mirror, and your eyes can only see flaws — or perhaps you doubt your abilities and potential. 

I can feel your pain sis.

Because there was a time when I felt the same way…

(QUICK STORY…)

Not too long ago, my body image distortion was at its highest. I would stand in front of the mirror, picking apart everything that was “wrong with me.” Believing I wasn’t pretty enough, not worthy of love, and that my past mistakes defined me. 

For decades, these thoughts constantly screamed at me — making me feel trapped and hopeless.

Then, one day, I was putting myself down (as usual), and my nieces said…

“Titi Wandie, if only you could see yourself as we see you…” Ugh, this still tears me up to this day! (By the way, “titi” is auntie in Spanish 🥰) 

Maybe you have similar thoughts — or you’re so used to putting yourself down that you don’t even realize it.        

Body image distortion was a part of my everyday life. I didn’t know I needed help until I realized my struggle had a name — and it was not how God intended for me to live.

PLUS, it could potentially negatively influence my innocent – beautiful nieces 💔

I cried out to God…

Asking Him to help me with my body image issues. And I began to challenge these lies by replacing them with truths from the Bible. 

It wasn’t easy, and it took time, but with God’s help, I started to see myself differently — not better, not prettier, and I still don’t love my cellulite — but with acceptance and through the lens of grace.

My prayer is that by discussing the top 10 self-limiting beliefs, you too will experience spiritual and personal growth.  

We’re going deep into the top 10 self-limiting beliefs AND how you can position your mind and heart — so you can replace these negative beliefs that hold you back with the absolute Truths found in the Bible. With faith and a little self-love, anything is possible my friend!

Ready to jump in?

Let’s go…

​Top 10 Self-Limiting Beliefs

Each one of the top 10 self-limiting beliefs is followed by examples of self-limiting beliefs — the negative self-talk that goes on in your mind that leads to these core beliefs.

1. I’m Not Worthy of Love

This belief might’ve started when someone made you feel like you weren’t good enough. 

Maybe experiences — like criticism from others or past relationship failures — made you think this way. You might’ve been told, directly or indirectly, that you need to change something about yourself to be loved. 

These experiences can create deep-rooted personal beliefs that make you feel unworthy…

Here’s what the Bible says to remember — your worthiness isn’t based on what others think or your past mistakes. God’s love for you is unconditional and everlasting! He created you with love and sees you as His precious daughter.

Romans 8:38-39 says, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

God’s love is constant and unchanging. And you are ALWAYS worthy of love 💖

2. I’m Inadequate

Do you tell yourself things like…

• I’m not pretty enough.
• I’m too broken to be fixed or accepted.
• I’ll never be as good as others.

These thoughts might be a result of experiences where you felt overlooked or unappreciated.

Maybe you’ve faced criticism or rejection. And that made you doubt your worth. Over time, these personal beliefs can make you feel like you’ll never measure up.

But remember this…

Your value isn’t based on others’ opinions or comparisons to others. God created you with unique gifts and talents. He sees you as complete and whole in Christ.

Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

My beautiful friend, you are designed with purpose and precision. You are perfectly made in His eyes, just as you are — no need to compare yourself to anyone else.

You are enough 🤩

3. I Don’t Deserve Happiness

This limiting belief could be a consequence of negative past experiences or a traumatic experience.

Maybe something happened that left a deep scar, and to this day, it makes you feel unworthy of happiness. As a defense mechanism, you might’ve convinced yourself that happiness isn’t meant for you, perhaps to protect yourself from feeling added pain.

These experiences can create a deep-rooted personal belief that happiness is impossible. But remember, God wants you to experience joy and peace. He designed you so you can experience a life full of His lavish love and blessings.

John 10:10 says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

No matter what you’ve been through — the joy of salvation is a gift from God — meant for you to FULLY ‘ENJOY‘ 😉

4. I’m Not Competent Enough

Do you ever doubt if you’re smart enough or have the right skills to succeed?

This belief might make you feel like you’re not as capable as you really are. Also known as imposter syndrome.

Maybe you feel like you don’t have enough experience. Maybe you’re afraid to step out of your comfort zone.

These doubts can make you feel like you’re always juuust short of reaching your potential…

But it’s important to remember that these insecurities don’t define your worth and ability. God has already equipped you with EVERYTHING you need.

James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”

This verse reminds us that God is ready to fill any gap in our knowledge or skills. You are a capable and competent woman — not by your own doing — but through the strength and wisdom that God provides. 

So step out of your comfort zone and take that next step forward — you’ve got this! 🙌

5. I Can’t ________ (fill in the blank)

Do you often catch yourself saying “I can’t” even before trying something new?

This kind of thinking can come from a place of fear of not being good enough. And it might stop you from trying things or avoiding new opportunities because you’re convinced you’ll fail.

Whether it’s at work or in your personal life, this “I can’t” mindset can really hold you back. It makes every new challenge seem bigger and scarier than it actually is. You might watch others take on similar challenges and wonder why it seems so easy for them but not for you.

When you find yourself thinking, “I can’t,” try to challenge that thought. Remember, God didn’t create you to live in doubt.

Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

This verse reminds us that with God, nothing is truly out of reach. With His help, you can change “I can’t” into “I can.”

With faith, what might seem impossible becomes possible 😌

6. I’m Powerless to Change My Circumstances

Do you ever feel like you’re just not strong enough to change what’s happening around you?

Maybe you’ve faced challenges that felt bigger than you could handle. And now, there’s a nagging voice in your head that keeps telling you that you’re stuck with them.

This place of fear can make you shrink back instead of reaching out for new opportunities in your professional and personal life.

It’s like when you’re trying to open a stubborn jar lid. You twist and turn with all you’ve got, feeling like you’ll never get it open. Each attempt leaves you feeling frustrated, mentally weaker, and doubting your strength.

But remember, even though you might feel powerless, you serve a powerful God!

2 Corinthians 12:9 says, “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”

Even in (especially in) moments when you feel overwhelmed by your circumstances, God is with you. You’re not alone in this battle, my friend — You have a faithful and oh-so-powerful Father 💖

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💖 Explore Related Posts 💖

1. How To Overcome Inferiority Complex | 26 Simple Tips
2. How to Become Free from Toxic Comparison Culture
3. The Power of Grace: How to Overcome Self-Sabotage Through a Christian Perspective

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7. I Will Always Fail

Do you often feel like no matter what you try, failure is waiting just around the corner? 

You may feel this way because you’ve set incredibly high standards for yourself. Or maybe perfectionism is driving your fear of failure. 

It can be SO overwhelming when you believe that anything short of perfect is unacceptable…

Feeling like you’re always going to fail makes it hard to take even the smallest step forward. Each time you hesitate or hold back, it only reinforces the belief that you’re bound to fail. AND it creates a cycle that’s challenging to break.

But remember this, my beautiful friend…

Psalm 73:26 says, “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

NEWS ALERT: God doesn’t expect you to be perfect!

His strength kicks in when you feel weak. He’s always there to support you and to make sure that your journey doesn’t lead to failure but to growth and learning.

You’re not destined to fail — you’re equipped to thrive through His grace 💝

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💖 Recommended Resources 💖

Check out all of the FREE Body Image Related Resources here!

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8. I’m a Burden to Others

Do you sometimes feel like you’re just too much for the people around you? 

This limiting belief might come from times when you needed a lot of help or attention. 

It’s truly hard when you feel like you’re asking too much from others, especially when you’re just reaching out for help… 

Maybe someone said something that made you feel like a burden.

These feelings can be tough to move past, but here’s an important thing to hold onto…

Matthew 11:28 says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

Always remember, in God’s eyes, you are priceless and never a burden. Like a loving Father, He always welcomes you with arms wide open 😘

9. I’m Too Old to Start Something New

Ever feel like you’re too old to try something different? 

This belief can sneak up on you, especially when you think about starting a new project or changing your path later in life. 

This is one of my own self-limiting beliefs…  

It’s a good thing I didn’t listen to myself when I set out to start this blog! Because if I did, you wouldn’t be reading this 😉 

This self-limiting belief often stems from a lack of confidence. And it’s often influenced by societal messages about age. Or by comparing yourself to others who started their journeys earlier.

Isaiah 43:19 says, “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”

Remember, you’re capable and ready for new challenges at any stage of life—age is just a number! 👑

10. My Worth is Based on My Appearance

Do you ever feel like your physical appearance is the only thing that matters?

This belief can come from seeing quote-unquote perfect images on your social feeds. Or hearing hurtful comments, bad personal experiences, and comparing yourself to others.

This self-limiting belief can really hurt you and hold you back from living your best life — the life God designed you to live for His glory and your good.

Maybe you don’t like what you see in the mirror — which has led to low self-esteem.

The idea that your worth is tied to your looks can have a HUGE, negative impact on how you see yourself and how you interact with others — even with loved ones.

1 Samuel 16:7 says, “The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

Remember, God doesn’t care about how you look on the outside. He cares about the posture of your heart. You are valued for who you are inside — not for your appearance, size, or shape 💝

Final Thoughts…

There you have it, my beautiful friend — the top 10 self-limiting beliefs and examples of self-limiting beliefs that can shape how you see yourself.

Every part of your life and your experiences make you who you are today. So, the next time you find these core beliefs trying to hold you back with their lies — remember that God equips you with the Truth to overcome. 

I 100% understand how paralyzing these beliefs can be, so I want to leave you with a simple and practical way to work through them.

​Next Steps…

A great way — the only way — to truly transform negative thoughts and old beliefs that live in your subconscious mind is to replace them with positive affirmations that are based on God’s word. Today, I want you to take a small but powerful step…

📝 Write down one Scripture above (or a personal favorite) that counters a limiting belief you struggle with most.

📝 Place it somewhere you’ll see every day.

This is your starting point to renewing your mind with a belief system founded in what your Creator says about you. This will help unlock your true potential and make you the best version of the incredibly wonderful woman God created you to be!

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Thank you for joining me on this journey. You are loved, precious, and wonderfully made.

Posted By: Wanda · In: Mindset