“Remember my affliction and my wanderings, the wormwood and the gall! My soul continually remembers it and is bowed down within me. But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.”
– Lamentations 3:19–24 (ESV)
You’ve probably heard buzz about positive self-talk in recent years. Study after study has shown that when you purpose to pluck out negative thoughts and reprogram your mind with positive ones, the dividends are measurable. It has a sound psychological basis: frame circumstances in your life in a more positive way, and your energy and motivation to face them are renewed. Take time to have insight into the sources of your negativity; work through these sources, even seeking the help of counsel if necessary. Turn this negativity into positive self-talk, and you will feel more at peace and more grateful.
It turns out that this concept is actually not new! As seen in today’s Scripture, this idea is ancient and can actually be found throughout the Bible. It is a wisdom that can bless us all.
Unfortunately, there is an aspect of burden to the worldly version of positive self-talk. You end up carrying the weight of responsibility for all your emotions and feel like a failure when you can’t step out of them. You risk falling into a legalism in which your compassion towards yourself and others dries up – after all, isn’t it our duty to talk ourselves out of all this worry, depression, and negativity?
Jesus, on the other hand, promises to help us with burdens as we cast our cares upon Him (See Matthew 11:28-30). We are advised not to speak words of worry, such as, “What shall we eat? or What shall we drink? or What shall we wear?” (Matthew 6:31)
We are promised perfect peace when our minds are fixed upon Him (Isaiah 26:3). We are to speak words of faith: “I will say to the Lord, My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” (Psalm 91:2, ESV)
God promises that when we keep our thought life on Him, “He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.” (Psalm 121:3, ESV) We experience thankfulness for grace as we realize that we can do none of this through our own strength!
While positive self-talk is a great practice for everyone, as Christians we can frame it as grace-talk. We can frame it as second chances and new beginnings. We can frame it as partnering with a Savior who cares for us personally. We can remind ourselves that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8) – so great is His love!