Negative Self-Talk

 

By Andrea Merrell

So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not  doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.

Mark 11:22-24 NKJV

 

The negative, hurtful words from her childhood burrowed deep into the young woman’s mind and heart. They spoke to her so often that she started to believe them and speak them over herself. I’m stupid. Worthless. I can’t do anything right. Nobody cares.

Her negative self-talk led to discouragement, depression, and even suicidal thoughts.

Words are powerful. They created the earth and all that is. They both wound and heal. They carry the power of life and death. They tend to reinforce our anxieties and fears or strengthen our faith. The choice is ours.

One writer says that most of our unhappiness comes from listening to ourselves (those negative inner voices) instead of talking to ourselves (saying what God says).

Years ago, a friend with cancer died at the age of forty because that’s what he believed and confessed—all his life. His father and grandfather had passed at that age, so he was fully convinced his destiny would be the same.

More recently, a young woman on her deathbed was healed because she believed and confessed God’s Word while praising and thanking Him for her healing.

Jesus said we can have what we say when it lines up with His Word. Even salvation comes by believing in our heart and confessing with our mouth, 

Stop listening to those negative voices. Find out what God says and turn negative self-talk into positive self-talk. Use your faith and speak to the mountain standing in your way. 

Choose your words wisely. Then watch as blessings come into your life.

Photo courtesy of Unsplash and Brett Jordan.

 

Catch Yourself in the Act

By Andrea Merrell

 

For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks

Matthew 12:34 NKJV

“I can’t change. It’s too hard,” the woman said. Her words were bathed in both defeat and defiance. “It’s just the way I am.”

Her problem was a negative mindset and a critical spirit—and she couldn’t figure out where it came from.

The Bible clearly tells us that what we say is a result of the abundance of what’s in our heart. The Message puts it this way: It’s your heart, not the dictionary, that gives meaning to your words. 

The following verses go on to say: Let me tell you something: Every one of these careless words is going to come back to haunt you. There will be a time of Reckoning. Words are powerful; take them seriously. Words can be your salvation. Words can also be your damnation.

Just like the woman said, change doesn’t come easily for most people. It takes hard work and determination, but it begins with a decision—a decision to allow Holy Spirit to be in control. The psalmist cried out, Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips (Psalm 141:3 NIV).

Someone once said the best way to change a bad habit is to catch yourself in the act. Whenever that first negative, ungodly thought pops into your head, recognize it for what it is—and get rid of it.  

Words are powerful, so take yours seriously. God does.

Don’t let them come back to haunt you.

(Photo courtesy of Blogpiks.com and Stuart Miles.)

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