The opponent is the voice that encourages you to withhold your love from others when you feel hurt, abandoned, and unloved. It is the voice that taunts, “You are not good enough to pursue a relationship with this person. He/She will surely discover all of your faults and run the other way”. It is the voice that tells you that you are better off alone and not worthy of love- not from others or the Creator. It is the voice that tells you that no one on earth could possibly understand you or meet your needs, so you should try your best to fulfill them on your own. It is the voice that prompts you to protect your self worth at all costs.

What is the purpose of these painful thoughts? The opponent designs them to keep you isolated and in an extremely needy state. And you know by know what happens when you are in this state. You become desperate to fill the void you feel inside. Instead of sharing your love unconditionally, the opponent motivates you to do the opposite- to receive or take unconditionally leaving you feeling even less worthy than you felt before.