Why people should use kinder words to themselves.
Choosing Our Words Wisely
While this post focuses on how we should talk more kindly to ourselves, especially when depressed, this is good advice for anyone. And it’s a good way to keep depression at bay. Many people talk more harshly to themselves than they ever would to others, and depressed people almost always have a larger vocabulary of destructive words than positive ones. It’s the nature of the illness. It’s one of the ways people get into trouble in the first place. It only stands to reason that a depressed person isn’t using uplifting words. If they were, they probably wouldn’t be depressed.
Watch your words for one day
I’d like to convince you to try changing just this one area of our lives, if only for a day, and see if you don’t notice some change in your mood. I’m not suggesting that we can talk ourselves out of something as serious as depression in just a few minutes, a few days, or even a few weeks, but changing the words we use is a small step we can take that might just be the catalyst for further change.
Words and our well-being
n addition to the power of words to influence our mental health, it’s important to recognize the impact of our self-talk on our overall well-being. The way we speak to ourselves internally can greatly affect our self-esteem and confidence levels. Negative self-talk can reinforce feelings of inadequacy and hinder personal growth, while positive self-affirmations based on God’s word can help cultivate a more resilient and optimistic mindset.
By being mindful of our self-talk and making an effort to replace negative thoughts with positive affirmations, we can gradually shift our perspective and boost our mental and emotional resilience. The language we use, both internally and externally, plays a significant role in shaping our mindset and, ultimately, our quality of life.
Watch the words you use. If you are using negative words, it means you are thinking negative thoughts. STOP IT!
Easier said than done, I know. So, here’s how you do it.
First of all, listen to yourself.
If you were listening to yourself, would you be encouraged? Guess what? You are listening to yourself, whether you are speaking out loud or not. Your words come from within you, and understand this: They are an accurate reflection of how you are thinking and feeling. They are not orphans. They have a parent, and that parent is you. Acknowledging and taking responsibility for your words is the first step.
Words have a profound impact
Our thoughts and words have a profound impact on our overall well-being and outlook on life. By practicing self-awareness and consciously choosing uplifting language, we can reshape our internal narrative and promote mental strength and resilience. We know, for example, that anger can raise blood pressure and cause all kinds of gut issues. Our physical health is directly influenced by our words because our words circle back and affect our minds, which affect our bodies.
Seek peace; pursue it.
The Bible says in Psalm 34:14 that we should seek peace and pursue it. That means that not only do we seek it, but we are to take it a step further and actively pursue it. Using kinder words is one way we can do that. Every word we speak echoes the thoughts we harbor within. By being mindful of our language we actively redirect negative self-talk towards constructive affirmations. We pave the way for a brighter, more empowered mental landscape. Our words hold the power to shape our reality and enrich our quality of life.
Replace our words with better ones
But as with most things we have to give the old “heave-ho” to, we have to replace it with something else. That something else is God’s word. It’s our verbal shield. The most powerful person that ever walked the face of this earth had to do the very same thing. Jesus defeated satan by speaking out loud the appropriate scripture. That means, of course, you need to have an arsenal of scripture verses at your disposal. That means you need to have at least the context memorized. Pinterest has a lot of boards you can check out.
Just as Jesus used scripture to overcome challenges and setbacks, we, too, can harness the power of God’s word to fortify our minds and spirits by doing the same. Building an arsenal of scripture verses allows us to combat negativity and self-doubt.
Memorizing key passages of Scripture enables us to access these transformative words in times of need, reinforcing our faith and resilience.
Be Deliberate in Your Choice of Words
Deliberately start to use words that are true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, and excellent, as Philippians 4: 8 states. The more you change your speech, the quicker you’ll change your thoughts. The rest of that verse says that when your thoughts are brought under control, you will experience peace. Interestingly enough, according to that verse, there are no words to describe that peace I wish I could tell you this is easy to do and that once you get in the habit, it will remain a habit.
But that isn’t true. Changing the way we speak by changing the words we use isn’t easy. But we have to keep practicing until it becomes almost second nature.
I’ve worked harder in this area than almost anywhere else. I can think back to a number of conversations just this past week where I had to consciously and deliberately choose words that were life-giving. Not just to the person I was talking to but to myself as well.
I’ve learned the guilt I feel from using words that aren’t encouraging (this has nothing to do with truthfulness, we can be encouraging and truthful) does me way too much emotional damage. I start to feel guilty and think, “What kind of Christian am I?” one thing leads to another, and pretty soon, I’m feeling pretty disgusted with myself. It’s just not worth it to me anymore. Not even it means I have to keep my opinions to myself.
There is much more about our words and how they affect our lives in the next post.
Until then….
Blessings to each of you.
I would love to hear your thoughts. Don't make be beg.