Words are powerful. At the beginning of this series, Jennifer shared the creative nature of words and Ali reminded us that our words can build people up or tear them down. Today, I’m going to talk about the words we speak to ourselves.
A Penny for Your Thoughts
I don’t know about you, but I estimate that I have a bajillion thoughts on any given day. Maybe a bajillion and ten on a quiet day. Now, math is not my strongest subject, but the numbers here clearly indicate that the person I talk to the most is me! It stands to reason then that what I say to myself matters.
Are my thoughts reflecting truth? Encouraging endurance? Leading me to Jesus?
Or are they distracting, tearing me down by reinforcing lies?
Why Would I Want My Own Destruction?
We know that our battle is not against flesh and blood, but it’s easy to forget how often the enemy is my own heart!
“For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. (Romans 7:15)
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” Jeremiah 17:9
“Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.” Proverbs 28:26
“For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander.” Matthew 15:19
Sometimes the thoughts come unbidden, invading quiet moments. Other times, they’re triggered by a strong emotion or the need for a response. Regardless, they have the power to make or break my whole day.
I don’t remember exactly when I heard it, or who said it, but somewhere in my “young mom years” a wise woman shared the advice that the glass is only half-empty if you see it that way. In other words, you need some positive self-talk.
Think About These Things
While there are many resources out there advocating the benefits and tricks of positive self-talk, what it essentially boils down to is recognizing the lie and replacing it with the truth.
“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:5, NIV)
In my house, we call it “changing the narrative”. We use the Phillippians 4:8 test to encourage one another to listen to the truth.
Changing the Narrative is recognizing the lie and replacing it with the Truth. #wordsoflifeClick To TweetFinally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8
“Nobody likes me!” Is that true?
“Ugh, I don’t want to invite that kid to the party. His parents are so obnoxious!” Is that just?
“I’m going to eat this box of cookies because I had a really bad day and I deserve it.” Is that lovely or excellent?
“I hate this!” Is that honoring?
Of course, positive self-talk is more than just slipping on your rose-colored glasses. The Truth and Justice found in the Word of Life will always remind us of our need for Jesus, the One Most Worthy of Praise.
In her book, Made to Crave, Lysa Terkurst writes, “We consume what we think about and we think about what we consume.” If we fill our minds and hearts with Scripture, we will find our words to ourselves and others reflecting reality in light of Truth and we will be able to walk in the power of His Spirit.
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2
What an inspiring, truthful, and so much what I need to hear! It can be the most difficult thing to do at times – Fill your hear with goodness about yourself! Criticizing ourselves can become like taking O2 in for some. Thank you for your inspiring article with evidence of scripture to support! Hod bless you and you wonderful, needed site for many women!