The Kind Words You Say To Yourself

Often in the Psalms you hear the authors of these prayers talking to themselves. One of the clearest examples comes when David is struggling with what we might call a depressive episode. Listen to his self-talk:

Why, my soul, are you downcast?
    Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
    for I will yet praise him,
    my Savior and my God. - Psalm 43:5

It can take a long time to work through the challenges we face, so this sort of self-talk can persevere our mental and emotional (and spiritual!) stability while we’re on the journey. Seldom is it quick work.

As Brenna shared on Sunday: “When people begin to understand that change happens in layers – and is rarely linear – it’s as if someone took a grueling weight off them. They stand a bit straighter. Often they become a touch kinder to themselves and others. It’s as if someone put a balm on their souls and gave them this message: “It takes as long as it takes. It’s okay to be unfinished. It’s absolutely normal to be imperfect. It doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong” (Aundi Kolber, Try Softer).

On Sunday Brenna Rubio also pointed out that our friends, though they challenge us, typically speak more kindly to us than we do to ourselves. She gave a list of things that friends might say to us and encouraged us to take a moment in quiet and to say them to ourselves.

So pick one of her suggestions and say it to yourself - not unlike David speaking to his own soul.

• I’m listening.

• One step at a time - look how far you’ve already come!

• I’ll set whatever boundaries are needed to help you feel safe.

• You’re not alone in this.

• You’re a work in progress, and I love that about you.

• I believe you.

• It’s over now. Let’s figure out together a new way to be.