Hello blessed child of God, I hope you’re fine by God’s grace. As for me, I’m doing great thanks to Him.
It’s almost one week since Lent started and we’ve been looking at the subject of depression especially amongst Christians.
In the previous days, we defined what depression is and we gave some details on how to recognize that we’re struggling with depression. We also looked at the roots of depression from childhood, and the different current issues in our lives which could be contributing to us suffering from depression. Moreover, we agreed to make a firm decision that we really wanted to get well, and we investigated the thoughts behind us self-sabotaging our recovery.
Today, we’re going to talk about our internal dialogue.
I believe that everyone has at least one voice in their mind. This voice of us talking to ourselves is unique for everyone.
In addition to that, you will also hear God speak to you, and you will hear the devil speak to you. All that happens through thoughts, but in general, all those voices will sound the same.
So, there’s a self talk going on in your thoughts. There are things which you think about yourself, and these things may contribute to you being depressed.
Today’s exercise will require that you extract your default self talk, and that you redefine it according to God’s Word.
Let’s look at an example.
To the outside world, Gracia has it all. She is successful, she’s a Christian, she’s single, she volunteers at her local church. On the inside, she feels like a failure.
Here’s what Gracia thinks about herself (Self-talk)
I might have a good job and a lot of money but I deserve none of it. I may be a Christian but I deserve none of it. I don’t believe I’m worthy enough to to be chosen to be someone’s wife, if I were worthy enough, I wouldn’t be single. In fact , even though I volunteer in Church, no one likes me because I’m not perfect, I’m irritable. I don’t even have anyone courting me, I have no friends or close family whom I can talk to. I don’t even measure up to the standard of a true Christian. I am not as flawless as others. I’ll never really fit in. I’m going to die single, lonely and forgotten. My life means nothing.
What you’ve read above is what Gracia says to herself and believes about herself. It is her current life-script. That’s the internal dialogue in her mind, she doesn’t speak positively to herself.
The challenge is for her to rewrite her current life-script and to read her new story to herself everyday for a month. It has to sink into her mind for it to become her new self talk. Although it will take some time for her to begin believing it, she will gradually begin to see her life in a new light.
Gracia’s new life script
I have a good job and a lot of money and this is all by God’s grace. I’ve put in my best to get here and God has blessed my efforts. Being a Christian can’t be earned, salvation is a free gift of God. Jesus Christ wouldn’t have died for someone who’s worthless. This means that I am worthy, and I am already chosen by Him. Singleness or marriage do not define my worth, Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on the cross for me defines my worth. It’s true that I’m not perfect and that I’m irritable but The Holy Spirit will work on me and transform me into the image of Christ, I believe this firmly. Perhaps I don’t have anyone courting me right now nor any close friends because I’m workaholic. This may be a struggle for me but God willing I will find a way to create a balance between work and finding time to make new friends and to ameliorate my already existing relationships with family. My life has value and whether single or married, I am loved by God, and I am not forgotten.
Have you seen this?
You can change the way you feel about yourself by changing the way you think about yourself.
Romans 12:2 NIV
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.
Exercise 1: What I Think About Myself
Write down in your exercise book your current life-script. It must include how you feel about yourself and how you see yourself today and in the future. It must include how you view your accomplishments, your relationships and your failures.
Exercise 2: Write A New Life Script For Yourself Based on The Bible
Make sure you include your thoughts on hope, change, possibilities and struggle. May God’s Word give you a new perspective
Exercise 3: Read Your New Life Script Daily For A Month
Feel free to make changes you need to it.
Prayer
Father Lord God Almighty, help me be intentional in working on renewing my mind daily so that I will see myself and my life through the lens of Your Word. In Jesus Christ’s Name. Amen
It’s Now Your Turn
What does your new life script look like? Please let us know in the comments section.
Don’t forget to share this on your social media accounts and to invite your friends and family members to join us as we’re waging war against depression. You may save a life by sharing.
If you’ve not done it yet, subscribe to my Newsletter so as not to miss any post on depression and also, make sure to invite anyone whom you know is suffering from depression.
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Invitation
Click here if you’re looking for a church. I recommend Elevation Church to you. A wonderful Christ-centered Church in which you aren’t limited by your location and in which you can see what God can do through you.
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