There is power in the words that you tell yourself. As I have aged, I have identified some of this faulty programming and have since begun rewriting the script. I have this childhood friend up north. Every winter is absolute agony for her; she hates it! Her misery is evident to everyone. She laments again and again, no changes, just complaints. Winter is a long season up north and equivalent to at least half, if not more, of her life. And while I get it, it is getting old, and so are we. The time we have left on this earth is valuable. It’s time to recognize the power of our words that we self-talk, and complain about. It’s time to rewrite the script we so easily default to.
Eyes, Thoughts, Words, Actions, Consequnces
Our thoughts tend to follow what our eyes see. Then we develop a word dialog to communicate those words into actions, which ultimately have consequences. Both good and bad consequences are the final result of the power of our words and thoughts. We must remove the broken record that cements those negative words and thoughts into actions with harmful consequences. The good news is that there is hope! We can acknowledge the old script by capturing and identifying the thoughts and reinforced words. Then begin rewriting the script by redirecting our thoughts and substituting the words for a new action and better consequence. God’s Word is full of power to change the most automatic human defaults. Here are a few power word exchange examples:
- Instead of saying I “hate” winter on repeat, say winter is a challenge, or winter is a time of self-reflection in God’s Word and promises. I like using winter for planning for the spring, and resting.
- Instead of saying the sun doesn’t shine in the winter; bring the Son of God into your heart. Brighten the light in your home and get a few easy-to-tend houseplants.
- Instead of thinking winter is so cold, and dreary; think of ways to make your home cozier. MAKE it a time of your favorite candles, favorite soups, and plan inside gatherings with friends.
- Instead of thinking that winter is the worst time; make it a better time by drawing close to God. Discover all the promises He has for you in every season, on the mountain tops and in the valleys.
- Instead of just repeating and reinforcing all the negative points of winter that will bring depression and emotional pain; renew your mind in God’s Word to bring healing and speak new hope and self-encouragement each day. Make it a point to speak those promises aloud to yourself and others who may also be struggling with the winter blues.
- Remember that your words and thoughts have the power to steer your life.
You Choose Powerful Words And Thoughts For New Emotional Responses
I purposefully choose powerful words and thoughts to direct my emotional responses. I get it. The cold weather makes my bones ache. The lack of sun doesn’t cheer my heart. I don’t want to be outside in the cold for longer than I have to. And winter seems to drag on forever after the fun of the holidays. BUT! Instead of just defaulting to the same old broken record, I am installing an updated program. I am choosing an attitude of gratitude to focus on what is going right. I give my Heavenly Father thanks for a minimum of three things when my thoughts start directing me to complain.
It isn’t easy. It feels awkward, but still, I persist. The reward comes when my day hasn’t been derailed into stinking thinking and depression. There are things to smile about even in the dead of winter. It could be a baby’s laugh, or a flower that bloomed out of season, or a beautiful painting, or the new gardening magazine subscription that I can daydream over when I get home. It might be the company of my handsome husband or a dear friend who has taken time to have lunch with me. So, get a cup of coffee with a friend and catch up with the news of our lives. Can’t afford an outing, then bake a cake and invite your friend over.
I choose God’s powerful Words and promises found in the Bible to redirect my thoughts and emotions from the blues. Choose what to focus on. I don’t have to default into misery. I can choose to let my light shine instead of succumbing to the darkness I feel around me. Don’t deny that there are many reasons to be sad. Acknowledge those, but do not dwell on them. Those thoughts can drop by for a moment, but I don’t entertain them and let them move in and stay. Decide to remember the good memories of a person who is no longer here. Then give thanks for the time that God gave you with them. Recreate some of the things that you admired and enjoyed with them. YOU get to choose powerful words and thoughts to change YOUR emotional outcome.
Adopt Power Words To Create The Change You Want To See
Adopt new descriptive and powerful words to rewrite the script or change the broken record that you have allowed to play in your self-talk thoughts. Create the change that you want to see happen. Where is the biggest encouragement lack? Is it the place where your complaints live and thrive? You have the power to redirect your thoughts and words to change faulty self-repeating excuses. Stop the self-sabotaging! Take ownership and make executive changes! Let God be the CEO of your life, especially in this season. Let His Word and promises be your new default. Stop allowing your emotions to victimize you. Choose to be a victor with God! The Bible has many new self-programming options to adopt. Here are a few:
- Exodus 4:12 – Now go, I will help you as you speak, and I will teach you what you are to say.
- Hebrews 3:6 – The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid.
- Isaiah 41:10 – I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
- Proverbs 23: 7 – For as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.
- 1 Thessalonians 5: 18 – Give thanks in all circumstances.
- Proverbs 17: 22 – A cheerful heart is good medicine.
Do Not Allow Emotions To Rule You
Do not automatically default to self talk sabotage and allow those self defeating words to affect your emotions. Emotions are unreliable at best. Emotions are fickle depending on whether or not you feel well, have eaten or eaten too much, the weather, the seasons, the kids, the spouse, etc. Just fill in the blank. You get it! Don’t just accept those thoughts and emotions without challenging them. Identify and question that default script! Challenge yourself to grow better, not bitter as you age. Change the word thought dynamics and allow joy, promise, encouragement, and strength into your life in a new way or with several new ways. Make the change today, Sister. The time and strength that we have is worth using all the wisdom and encouragement that we can find to make it the very best we can. Amen~
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