Would you believe you can make a difference in your emotional, spiritual, and physical well being by talking to yourself?
The psaltery journals of David penned in palaces, caves and shepherd fields, remind us how he strengthened himself in the words of the Lord. When his soul was downcast, he chatted with his inner breath . . . .
O my soul, bless the Lord . . . .
I don’t know what kind of day he was having when he jotted down Psalm 103, but I think he was fairly overwhelmed with life. Like us.
Many psalms have helped me through the day and long of night.
Think about your day, or your last week(s). How could it have been different if you reversed the negative by affirming yourself with a positive from holy wisdom?
It may not change the circumstances, but it should change the way you face it.
Working in a doctor’s office, I am surrounded by those battling health and death, family and financial struggle, and worried hearts that believe a pill will mend it all.
If you believe you can’t . . . you won’t.
We need hope, we need encouragement. The word hope means confident expectation and the word encouragement means to urge forward. . . . we can do that for another.
We can do that for ourselves.
When self says, “you can’t do this, you won’t get past this, this is all there is” . . . the counsel of soul says, NOT!
When faith dims, make Psalm 103 your prayer . . . aloud. Speak the word of God over your health, your circumstances, your children . . . your life.
Bless the Lord, O my soul and forget none of His benefits.
He forgives all your offenses.
He heals all your diseases.
He redeems your life from the pit.
He surrounds you with grace and compassion.
He contents you with good as long as you live. . . .so that your youth is renewed like an eagle’s. (vs 1-5) CJV
How did David get from I think I can to I know I can, OR I think God can to I know God can . . . how can we?
The shepherd-king got through his day and his life by coaching his soul, remembering the goodness and greatness of God.
Rehearse the promises. He forgives, heals, redeems, surrounds and contents.
Remember what God has done for you, and speak over the loud voice of despair.
So, self . . . echo soul . . . and say, “today some good stuff is going to happen!”
Bless the Lord, O my soul . . . Psalm 103:1
Verna
So true, Verna. Thanks for voicing what I have been accomplishing this last week. I have begun walking every morning before I go to the office and I pray on the way out, and listen on the trip back. It is a healing time and has made such a difference in facing my day.
Hugs,
Jeanne
I love this wise journey, Jeanne — “pray on the way out, and listen on the way back” . . . I know it’s making a difficult situation more bearable. . . praying for you, sweet sister!
I know I have many people praying with and for me….I am thankful for this coverage; it is making all the difference!
jeanne
Confident expectation! I like that 🙂 Thank you Verna. I love talking to myself and we need to have that optimistic aproach about God and about ourselves. Love your post.
Thank you, Adriana for sharing that you talk to yourself, also! Grateful that we can have that expectation no matter what.
I once took a class on praying the Psalms and the thrust of the argument for doing that was that it keeps our eyes off the problem and on the problem solver. I always feel much better after reading His Word. Thanks Verna!
I know! Modern day wisdom from the source of hope thousands of years old . . . amazing! I always love your comments, thanks Liz!
Beautiful post and so true. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, Glenda!
Amen, Verna. Needed this reminder. In the midst of my “I can’ts,” I need to affirm “God can.” Love you.
We need to remind each other (and ourselves!) . . thanks, Marlene – missed you girls tonight!