Talking to Myself: This Better be Good

Do you talk to yourself? Go on, admit it. We all do. Just last week my husband caught me saying to myself, “First, pick the weeds, and then play in the garden.” I need to instruct myself or I’d never finish a project!

Our self-talk better be good, too, because it has a lasting impact on our hearts, minds and bodies. The power of words is a key to a life.

Think how hateful, mean-spirited words can hurt us. This morning in a television interview, a woman recalled her mother saying, “You’ll never amount to anything.” She believed those words and because of them, she took a path that led to destruction. In the same way, a little praise and encouragement can inspire us to do more, do better, be quicker and smile more.

If comments from others can have life-changing consequences, think of how our own self-talk affects us. Certainly, our own words have a big impact, because our internal chatter goes on all day, every day. Those internal thoughts become words. What comes out of our mouth is heard by our body’s integrated system, setting off complex chemical and neurological changes in our body, mind and spirit.

In his book, “Power in the Promises” Nick Harrison states, “During any given day, we all engage in some sort of self-talk. But too often our self-talk is along the lines of, “I’m unhappy,” “I can’t do this,” I hate my life,” “My marriage is shaky…”

Isn’t that the truth? And after we say, “I’m unhappy,” we probably tell someone we are unhappy. Maybe we get a headache about that time or the old fibromyalgia springs up. Maybe we pick an argument, because by now we’re also in a bad mood.

Our self-talk is important to our outlook. Harrison points out that there isn’t such a thing as a trouble-free life, but we can learn to be happy in spite of our circumstances. The apostle Paul wrote, “I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4: 13) Paul knew how to encourage himself and others, even though he was in prison when he wrote those words.

One of the best ways to season our self-talk with words of hope and lightness is to have a resource filled with inspiration. The best-selling book of all time, the Bible, is full of promises. And just to make it easier to find them, Harrison’s book includes 100 biblical promises!

Here are few promises to think on, say aloud and savor for the coming week:

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29: 11

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11: 28

“God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4: 19

Do you have a favorite promise from the Bible? If you do, please share it and I’ll include it in the next blog post.