It Matters What You Say To Yourself

For the past week I have been thinking about a devotion I wrote several months ago and I wanted to repost it today becuase I feel like it is going to minister to someone.

There have been times in my life when I think my best days have already happened. Have you ever felt like that? The Coronavirus pandemic has put a hold on a lot of dreams and goals and has caused grief and disappointment in many of our lives. If you feel stunted by the effects of Covid-19, you’re not alone. Just remember:

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 or physique, your worth is established in God’s ardent love toward you.

Ask yourself:

1. 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.
2. 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, not in myself, but in my reliance on the Lord in the most difficult moments of my life.

A few months ago in prayer 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 yeild 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.