Important reasons to use Scripture to improve self talk

One of the most important reasons to use Scripture to improve self talk is because we can KNOW it is true!

If you’re not sure where you fall on self talk, ask yourself this question:

Do I speak more kindly about my friends than I about myself?

If we are being honest, the answer is probably yes.

Remember the last time you got a compliment. Did you say, “Thank you, I appreciate that!” Or, did you find a way to downplay your skills or effort?

If this is hitting home for you, you’re not alone! It takes work, but it is possible to improve your self talk. And the best news is that God has provided exactly what we need in Scripture. As we are diving in, I want you to have phone lock screens to remind you of these truths, so please download them and let me know which is your favorite. 

Typical self talk

Let’s start by calling out the ugly and facing up to how we talk about ourselves. Why? So we can recognize it when it happens and flip it!

• Wow, I’m so bad at ____
• I’m just not ____
• Can’t believe that I always ____ 
• I have nothing to offer
• Why would anyone want to hang out with me? 

Even if you’re outgoing, an 8 on the Enneagram, or keep a smile pasted on your face, many of these thoughts may often run through your head.

Flipping the self talk

Now. Imagine a friend came up to you and said one of those things about herself. How would you respond to her?

Maybe something like this: 

• We can work on improving your skills in this area – you’ll get better with practice!
• You’re a great friend and I’m so thankful for you.
• I’ve seen you growing so much in these past few months.
• I admire your courage and the way you persevere!
• I need your help with ___ because you’ve worked so hard to become good at it. 
• You are a blessing. 

Unless you’re soulless (I’m thinking Hades with the blue hair from Disney’s Hercules), you’d likely respond to your friend with so much…

Grace

Love

Kindness

Patience

So what do we do with this? It’s easy…and hard. Flip the phrases.

Try reading this next list out loud to yourself:

• I can improve my skills – I’ll get better with practice.
• I am a good friend. 
• It’s okay that I make mistakes – I am always growing.
• I am courageously persevering even if I don’t always succeed at what I try to do. 
• I’ll work hard because I know that I have value to offer others. 
• I am a blessing. 

Next time you find yourself saying harsh words about yourself (or thinking them), instead try seeing yourself the way God sees you.

Try speaking to yourself the way He does. It’s not a magic wand. But it will do wonders for your daily attitude and your ability to accomplish whatever you set your mind to. 

It also enables you to give, care, work, share, out of a confidence in your identity, rather than out of a place of fear, comparison, or lack. 

Important reasons to use scripture to improve self talk: Here’s a fun exercise

Quickly replacing phrases is a great place to start but it doesn’t have to be the only thing in your arsenal. We are going to use truths from Scripture to improve your self talk.

QUICK! Grab a piece of paper and follow along with the exercise below:

• Daw a line down the middle of the paper.
• On the top of the left column, write “Fear/Lie” .
• On the top of the right column, write “Truth”.
• In that left column, list everything negative that you say or believe about yourself, or anything that you fear.
• In the right column, write the scripture or truth that comes to mind to combat this lie or fear. 

Here are some examples of lies and Scripture to replace them, to get you started: 

My prayer for you – and you can pray this for yourself as well – is to believe what God says about you in Scripture. 

Bonus truths from Scripture to improve self talk

Finally, here are some bonus Scriptures to help you out. If you cannot say or believe those things about yourself, replace them with these, straight from God’s word: 

• I do not have a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power and of love and of self control. (2 Timothy 1:7)
• I am fearfully and wonderfully made; all the days of my life are purposed. (Psalm 139:14-16)
• I am strong and courageous, because my God is with me. (Joshua 1:9)
• I will fight the good fight of faith, to which I was called. (1 Timothy 6:12)
• I am God’s workmanship, created for good works, purposed before the beginning of time. (Ephesians 2:10)
• I am a vessel for honorable use, ready for every good work. (2 Timothy 2:21)

To help keep truth right in front of you, I’ve created lock screens of Scripture mindset truths that I would love for you to have. Download them and use them to encourage you throughout the day and week.

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