More to Life
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Proverbs 18:21: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue”
Colossians 4:6: “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt
Countless scriptures are charging us to speak life, and yet, we have a hard time doing that sometimes, especially when we talk to ourselves, or about ourselves.
There have been times when I think my best days have already happened. Have you ever felt like that?
I thought my life was over when I turned 30 because I was not married. And, to be honest, I felt that way because of the projection of other people’s expectations of my life. I was well-traveled, educated, and had strong, life-long friendships… but that didn’t matter to anyone because I was single. I was constantly sticking up for myself, explaining myself, and trying to get others to understand I wasn’t miserable, but patiently waiting on God. But, none of what I thought mattered much in other people’s eyes. And, that is the problem with other people’s opinions, they try to take your life into their own hands. It wasn’t until I met with the Lord in prayer, and He reminded me that He has a perfect will for my life.
There came another time when God scolded me (concerning a different situation) and said, “You are listening to the voice of oppression, rather than the voice of truth!” My perception instantly shifted, as I yielded to his voice. I began to speak the promises of God over my life and pled the blood over my mind.
Today, there is no future in your past. Your past, good or bad, is subordinate to the future God has for you. We need to continue to press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14).
It is important to take a personal assessment from time to time to see how we react to stress and to also take notice of the things we say to ourselves because it will help us grow, not only spiritually, but also emotionally.
It matters what you say to yourself.
When you hear yourself speak a negative thought such as:
I’m fat—I’m stupid—I did a terrible job—I will never amount to anything— I’m a terrible mother… then you need to bind those thoughts in Jesus name. Speak life, not destruction. Your worth is not attributed to your accomplishments, relationship status, or physique; your worth is established in God’s ardent love toward you.
Ask yourself:
- What does my peace say?
If you do not feel peace in the midst of the situation that is turning your life upside down, it’s time to learn where true peace comes from—in the presence of God. God’s way will lead to life, even when things get difficult. - How do I respond to tribulation?
If the answer is, “I feel hopeless, despondent, and cast away,” then that is an indication you are relying on an emotional response rather than on the power of God.
None of what I’m encouraging you to do comes easy. Trust me, I have days when tears stream down my face without warning, when pain fills my heart, when anxiety overwhelms me. But, I can honestly say that I have grown so much in the last ten years, not in myself, but in my reliance on the Lord in the most difficult moments of my life.
During a very trying time in my life, I was weeping before the Lord. To be honest, I wasn’t even saying anything out loud, just rocking myself back and forth, crying out to God. A familiar voice spoke to my spirit and God gently encouraged me to “yield to the process.” It’s hard to yield to the process when the process is causing pain.
You will never know how much strength you have until your weaknesses are put to the test.
Today, try to take note of your reactions to disappointments, people’s attitudes, trials, and failures. When we speak life, we attract the presence of the Lord. So, speak life today, not only in the lives of others, but in your own, too.
1 Comment
Something I have been digging into is the difference between pain and suffering. In the psychology world, they make a distinct difference between the two to help bring clarity of when to take action against and when to yeild to the discomfort a person might be feeling. Pain or discomfort cause by a process God has for us is exactly when to yeild and the results are so beautiful!