As women, we can be really hard on ourselves, and I don't think we understand the impact of our thoughts. We have this inner critic that tells us that we are not enough, not doing enough, or that we are doing too much. The voice of our flesh can be pretty loud, especially when it lines up with the lies that the enemy also whispers in our ear. We take this eternal dialogue and put it on repeat and unconsciously allow it to play continuously.
Unfortunately, we often then externalize those message to those around us. We think people will judge us because of what are children are saying, doing and wearing. In part, maybe people do; probably not as much as we give them credit for. This pressure leads us to put pressure on our children to perform, which just perpetuates the cycle of not being enough or needing to do more as they internalize the dialogue and add it to their own internal messages.
We also tend to put this on our spouses. Unfortunately for them we add them to our inner dialogue even if they are not saying anything. We take an action or inaction as proof that "I am not enough or he would or wouldn't..." We disbelieve the honesty of his words "He said... but he really feels..." That is on top of anything he does have valid complaints about in our actions and words. We take our own thoughts, combine them with his words and actions and again reinforce our negative self-talk and belief.
It is no wonder so many women deal with depression and anxiety, it is the impact of our thoughts. We are constantly reinforcing that there is something wrong with us at the core of who we are. We unconsciously look for things that back up the message that we tell ourselves.
Maybe that is why the Lord tells us that it is so important to meditate on His Word. When we are speaking the Truth of who God says we are, we can start to look for things that prove that to be true. We can see our children as the gifts from God they are and speak identity into them from the womb. We can encourage our spouse instead of tearing them down.
So then, encourage one another with these words. 1 Thessalonians 4:18
And so encourage one another and help one another, just as you are now doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11
In conclusion, my friends, fill your minds with those things that are good and that deserve praise: things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and honorable. Philippians 4:8
What you say can preserve life or destroy it; so you must accept the consequences of your words. Proverbs 18:21
I encourage you, look for the good. Focus on the good. Speak the good. Do this over yourself, over your children, and over your spouse. Maybe it is just one thing, but meditate on it. Speak life over your yourself, your children and your spouse. Speak life over those you love. Use Scriptures as you think and speak, meditate on them and declare them over your life. You can not speak one thing and think something different. There is power in the spoken Word and it can change the impact of our thoughts.
Comments