Power-Lines
Change Your "Self-Talk":
Before seminary, twenty-nine years ago, I was a State of Florida Probation/Parole Officer and then Director of a halfway house for "delinquent" boys. It didn't take long to realize that many of the youths I worked with had low self-esteem and that their false beliefs about themselves were constantly being reinforced by those around them.
A young man, (I'll call him "Gary") told me that he was in trouble because his family and friends had always told him that he was "no good". I believed he was only partly right.
Yes, it's true that what others say about us has a profound impact. But, what we say to ourselves, about ourselves has an even greater affect. "Gary's" self-talk was the real culprit.
If you say you can't … you can't
If you say you don't … you don't
If you say you won't … you won't
I can't forgive … I can't get well … I can't stop … I can't … I can't
I don't feel …I don't have … I don't know how … I don't …I don't
I won't pass … I won't be accepted … I won't succeed … I won't …I won't!
Think of what is lost by people holding these false beliefs. If they are the words you are scripting for yourself … change them … change them now!
Here are just a few examples to get you started:
"I can do all things through Christ, which strengthens me." "God has not given me a spirit of fear; but, of love, power, and a sound mind." "I speak to the mountains blocking my way and they are removed to the sea." "I am a new creature in Christ … my past is forever past." "I am focused and like the Apostle Paul I say, 'This one thing I do … forgetting what is behind, I press on toward the mark of the high-calling in Christ' …"
Plant these seeds of thought in the fertile soil of your mind and nurture them. They will bear much fruit!
Make Today Count,
Pastor Steve