Lenten Live Series 2026 #4 – Human Formation
by Annie, ARK
The belief cycle helps us to understand how our thoughts shape our realities and can create either order or chaos in the mind.
The belief cycle starts with a belief. Everybody has beliefs. Beliefs can be true or false. If somebody believes that grass is bright pink, you might think they could be colorblind, because general polls would suggest that most types of grass are usually green. Some beliefs are a matter of perspective, and if we are “colorblind” in some areas of our own lives, it can create dysfunction in our lives and/or relationships.
Example of the Belief Cycle in Action
Belief: I’m not smart enough.
Change belief to: ‘I am smart enough’ or ‘I’m a hard worker.’
Feelings: Embarrassment, defensiveness, inadequacy, shame.
Change the feelings to: Confidence. Relaxation. Acceptance. Enjoy rising to the challenge. Better self-esteem.
Thoughts: That person is a nerd. I’m stupid. I can’t learn/I’m not going to remember that. My sister is the smart one/I’m the dumb one. I’m going to fail/I’m not going to pass/succeed. What’s the point in working at this when I can’t do it? (Etc.)
Change the thoughts to: ‘I can do this. It’s only a test. I can always try again. There are lots of ways to get where I want to go. Hard work is more important. I’m really good at XYZ.’
Behaviors/Actions/No actions: Mess around in class. Try to make yourself feel good in other ways. Failure to study or prepare for a work challenge. Don’t go to an exam/leave an exam early, prepare or fail to prepare for a professional or family challenge, but forget to manage your stress.
Change the behaviors/actions to: Study a lot. Work hard. Behaviors that support hard work, e.g., routine and discipline.
Outcomes/consequences: You fail a test. You avoid further education. You develop an addiction or social problems. You get caught cheating or plagiarizing and you get ‘punished’ for it. General lack of success in life as a pattern.
Change outcomes/consequences: Passing tests, higher performance on tests/work, positive social feedback as a result of changed thoughts/behaviors.
The consequences reinforce the original belief and make it stick.
New belief: ‘I’m smart enough and I’m good enough.’
If you interrupt the cycle at any point, you can change the outcome, therefore start to change your beliefs and your thoughts, and your entire life can change as a result.
Use this cycle over the next week to identify any beliefs or thoughts that are causing you mental distress or low mood, or that are potentially throwing some area of your life out of order. Remember these factors are all connected through this cycle, so if you find yourself feeling anxious, try to put that feeling into this cycle, or if you are procrastinating badly on something, ask yourself what thoughts, feelings, or beliefs are behind it.
For more information on this topic, consider taking our online course The Backpack Program, in which we have exercises that teach us how to identify, manage, and change our thoughts.
