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, youโre gonna learn all about the top 10 self-limiting beliefs. By understanding and recognizing the most common self-limiting beliefs, youโll be able to break free and thrive in the life you were designed to live!
Heads up! This post may contain affiliate links, which means I get a small commission if you make a purchase โ at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I love and trust! Read my full disclosure here.

Do you ever feel like something is holding you back from living your full potential โ 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 โ recognizing them is the first step to breaking free!
Have you ever felt like youโre not enough?
Maybe you look in the mirror, and your eyes can only see flaws โ or perhaps you doubt your abilities and potential.
I can feel your pain sis.
Because there was a time when I felt the same wayโฆ
(QUICK STORYโฆ)
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 โwrong with me.โ Believing I wasnโt pretty enough, not worthy of love, and that my past mistakes defined me.
For decades, these thoughts constantly screamed at me โ making me feel trapped and hopeless.
Then, one day, I was putting myself down (as usual), and my nieces saidโฆ
โTiti Wandie, if only you could see yourself as we see youโฆโ Ugh, this still tears me up to this day! (By the way, โtitiโ is auntie in Spanish ๐ฅฐ)
Maybe you have similar thoughts โ or youโre so used to putting yourself down that you donโt even realize it.
Body image distortion was a part of my everyday life. I didnโt know I needed help until I realized my struggle had a name โ and it was not how God intended for me to live.
PLUS, it could potentially negatively influence my innocent โ beautiful nieces ๐
I cried out to Godโฆ
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 wasnโt easy, and it took time, but with Godโs help, I started to see myself differently โ not better, not prettier, and I still donโt love my cellulite โ 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.
Weโre going deep into the top 10 self-limiting beliefs AND how you can position your mind and heart โ 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?
Letโs goโฆ
โTop 10 Self-Limiting Beliefs
Each one of the top 10 self-limiting beliefs is followed by examples of self-limiting beliefs โ the negative self-talk that goes on in your mind that leads to these core beliefs.
1. Iโm Not Worthy of Love
This belief mightโve started when someone made you feel like you werenโt good enough.
Maybe experiences โ like criticism from others or past relationship failures โ made you think this way. You mightโve 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 unworthyโฆ
Hereโs what the Bible says to remember โ your worthiness isnโt based on what others think or your past mistakes. Godโs love for you is unconditional and everlasting! He created you with love and sees you as His precious daughter.
Romans 8:38-39 says, โFor 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.โ
Godโs love is constant and unchanging. And you are ALWAYS worthy of love ๐
2. Iโm Inadequate
Do you tell yourself things likeโฆ
- Iโm not pretty enough.
- Iโm too broken to be fixed or accepted.
- Iโll never be as good as others.
These thoughts might be a result of experiences where you felt overlooked or unappreciated.
Maybe youโve faced criticism or rejection. And that made you doubt your worth. Over time, these personal beliefs can make you feel like youโll never measure up.
But remember thisโฆ
Your value isnโt based on othersโ 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, โFor we are Godโs handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.โ
My beautiful friend, you are designed with purpose and precision. You are perfectly made in His eyes, just as you are โ no need to compare yourself to anyone else.
You are enough ๐คฉ
Overcome Your Body Image Strugglesโฆ
Download your FREE 18-page โBody Image Redefined Fast Trackโ so you can begin your life-transforming journey toward self-acceptance and embrace your identity as a cherished daughter of God TODAY!

3. I Donโt 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 mightโve convinced yourself that happiness isnโt 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, โThe thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.โ
No matter what youโve been through โ the joy of salvation is a gift from God โ meant for you to FULLY โENJOYโ ๐

4. Iโm Not Competent Enough
Do you ever doubt if youโre smart enough or have the right skills to succeed?
This belief might make you feel like youโre not as capable as you really are. Also known as imposter syndrome.
Maybe you feel like you donโt have enough experience. Maybe youโre afraid to step out of your comfort zone.
These doubts can make you feel like youโre always juuust short of reaching your potentialโฆ
But itโs important to remember that these insecurities donโt define your worth and ability. God has already equipped you with EVERYTHING you need.
James 1:5 says, โIf any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.โ
This verse reminds us that God is ready to fill any gap in our knowledge or skills. You are a capable and competent woman โ not by your own doing โ but through the strength and wisdom that God provides.
So step out of your comfort zone and take that next step forward โ youโve got this! ๐

5. I Canโt ________ (fill in the blank)
Do you often catch yourself saying โI canโtโ 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 youโre convinced youโll fail.
Whether itโs at work or in your personal life, this โI canโtโ 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, โI canโt,โ try to challenge that thought. Remember, God didnโt create you to live in doubt.
Philippians 4:13 says, โI can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.โ
This verse reminds us that with God, nothing is truly out of reach. With His help, you can change โI canโtโ into โI can.โ
With faith, what might seem impossible becomes possible ๐
6. Iโm Powerless to Change My Circumstances
Do you ever feel like youโre just not strong enough to change whatโs happening around you?
Maybe youโve faced challenges that felt bigger than you could handle. And now, thereโs a nagging voice in your head that keeps telling you that youโre 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.
Itโs like when youโre trying to open a stubborn jar lid. You twist and turn with all youโve got, feeling like youโll 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, โBut he said to me, โMy grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.โ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christโs power may rest on me.โ
Even in (especially in) moments when you feel overwhelmed by your circumstances, God is with you. Youโre not alone in this battle, my friend โ You have a faithful and oh-so-powerful Father ๐

๐ Explore Related Posts ๐
- How To Overcome Inferiority Complex | 26 Simple Tips
- How to Become Free from Toxic Comparison Culture
- The Power of Grace: How to Overcome Self-Sabotage Through a Christian Perspective
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 youโve 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 unacceptableโฆ
Feeling like youโre 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 youโre bound to fail. AND it creates a cycle thatโs challenging to break.
But remember this, my beautiful friendโฆ
Psalm 73:26 says, โMy flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.โ
NEWS ALERT: God doesnโt expect you to be perfect!
His strength kicks in when you feel weak. Heโs always there to support you and to make sure that your journey doesnโt lead to failure but to growth and learning.
Youโre not destined to fail โ youโre equipped to thrive through His grace ๐
๐ Recommended Resources ๐
Check out all of the FREE Body Image Related Resources here!
8. Iโm a Burden to Others
Do you sometimes feel like youโre just too much for the people around you?
This limiting belief might come from times when you needed a lot of help or attention.
Itโs truly hard when you feel like youโre asking too much from others, especially when youโre just reaching out for helpโฆ
Maybe someone said something that made you feel like a burden.
These feelings can be tough to move past, but hereโs an important thing to hold ontoโฆ
Matthew 11:28 says, โCome to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.โ
Always remember, in Godโs eyes, you are priceless and never a burden. Like a loving Father, He always welcomes you with arms wide open ๐

9. Iโm Too Old to Start Something New
Ever feel like youโre 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 beliefsโฆ
Itโs a good thing I didnโt listen to myself when I set out to start this blog! Because if I did, you wouldnโt be reading this ๐
This self-limiting belief often stems from a lack of confidence. And itโs often influenced by societal messages about age. Or by comparing yourself to others who started their journeys earlier.
Isaiah 43:19 says, โSee, 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.โ
Remember, youโre capable and ready for new challenges at any stage of lifeโage is just a number! ๐
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 โ the life God designed you to live for His glory and your good.
Maybe you donโt like what you see in the mirror โ 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 โ even with loved ones.
1 Samuel 16:7 says, โThe Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.โ
Remember, God doesnโt care about how you look on the outside. He cares about the posture of your heart. You are valued for who you are inside โ not for your appearance, size, or shape ๐

Final Thoughtsโฆ
There you have it, my beautiful friend โ 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 โ 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.
โNext Stepsโฆ
A great way โ the only way โ 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 Godโs word. Today, I want you to take a small but powerful stepโฆ
๐ Write down one Scripture above (or a personal favorite) that counters a limiting belief you struggle with most.
๐ Place it somewhere youโll see every day.
This is your starting point to renewing your mind with aย belief systemย founded in what your Creator says about you. This will help unlock yourย true potentialย and make you theย best versionย of the incredibly wonderful woman God created you to be!

My prayer for you is that my decades of experience with โ an all-consuming battle with distorted body image โ and self-worth struggles โ and how God has radically worked on my heart will bless and inspire you!
Youโre Invitedโฆ
You have an open invitation to binge on all of my posts โ written with Holy Spirit-inspired words and filled with love just for you โ my beautiful friend.
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Thank you for joining me on this journey. You are loved, precious, and wonderfully made.
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