Self-doubt seems to be an ongoing plague in the world. It’s the invisible disease that’s eating away at the hearts and minds of women and men everywhere, yet it so often goes untreated.
It breaks my heart, really. I know if it breaks mine, it has to break God’s.
I hear my friends and family putting themselves down with negative words on a daily basis. I used to be the queen of it. Though I’m not perfect and still catch myself using negative self-talk, I’m so much better than I used to be.
Do these words sound familiar to you? I’m stupid. I’m ugly. I’m fat. I’m worthless. I’ll never amount to anything. There’s no hope for me. Life is always going to be this way. People wouldn’t like me if they really knew me. I’m such a screw up. I’m sure you can add a variety to the list I barely covered.
I’m past the point of heartbroken and seem to be in the anger stage. I’m sick and tired of hearing others talk so negatively about themselves. I’m exhausted with the lies others are believing about themselves. Tired because the devil is getting way too much leverage in the game.
It’s time to fight back against the lies you’re believing about yourself. (Tweet that)
In the book, Made to Crave, Lysa TerKeurst tells us we were made for more. We were designed for a greater purpose – for God’s purpose. I couldn’t have said it better myself.
When you talk negatively about yourself, you negate God’s sovereignty.
God knew what He was doing the moment He created you. He never planned for you to look in the mirror one day and say to yourself, I’m worthless. There’s no point in trying.
In Psalm 139:13, God tells us He made all the delicate, inner parts of our bodies and knit us together in our mother’s womb. If God made us so delicately, how do you think He feels when you talk down to yourself?
When you put yourself down instead of lifting yourself up, you are missing out on God’s blessings.
The Father has lavished great love on you, but He can’t force you to receive it. 1 John 3:1 says He calls us His children. What a blessing!
God longs to give us the desires of our heart, when they line up with His desires. There’s nothing in the Bible stating you degrading yourself is the desire of His heart. If you’re constantly filling your life with negative self-talk, there is no room to prepare for the dreams He’s placed in your heart. When you’re not pursuing what God has designed you for, other people are missing out on the blessings, too.
When you fill your life with negativity, there is no room for the sun to shine.
What you speak out of your mouth and into your heart and mind has the power of life and death. Proverbs 18:1 tells us about that power, but we also learn about the consequences we’ll reap because of our decision to speak death over ourselves.
We’ll all die someday, but we don’t have to live like we’re dead now. (Tweet that)
When you consistently degrade yourself, others will flee.
When I filled my life with negative self-talk, people didn’t want to be around me as often. I was a “Debbie Downer” and looking back, I can’t blame them.
Allow me to speak some strong truth with a dose of grace. If you find it hard to keep friends, or wonder why others don’t hang around you for long periods of times, it’s time to look in the mirror and ask yourself what your responsibility is for that.
We live in a world full of negative media, opinions on every corner, Facebook drama, and more. What if the words you say about yourself could bring a light into a dark world? I promise you they can, if you change the way you think about yourself.
Change doesn’t happen overnight, I understand. But change can start today, in this very moment.
Only you can decide if that will happen or not. Only you can make the decision to believe what God says about you versus what others say about you. Only you.
Start speaking the truth over yourself today. I promise you’ll never look back and say, “Oh man, if I’d only said more negative things about myself.” Life is too short to live in self-defeat. Go and claim the victory God has given you.
[reminder]What negative self-talk are you committing to ending today? [/reminder]
I commit to stop putting myself down about my size. I commit to stop trying to make people laugh before they can make fun of me. I commit to stop thinking about my body as my identity. I am more than the sum of my dress size. I will stop saying the negative things my heart has believed and I will focus on what God says about me instead. Thank you for writing this.
Love this, Dayna. I can relate to all of these, especially the making people laugh before they can make fun of me. I grew up being the funny one for that simple fact.
Very positive and refreshing article, Sundi Jo. I know the truth and it has set me free.
Thanks so much Tom
You’re very welcome.
Thank you for these words today! I really needed to hear them.
So glad, Kim.
This is so true. I’m a pretty positive person, but sometimes, doubt creeps in and the negative thoughts about myself take over my mind. I have to remind myself that God didn’t make any mistakes and that I’m perfectly capable of fulfilling my purpose, because God made it so. This is a fabulous reminder that almost EVERYONE needs.
Thanks, Adrienne. You’re right – God didn’t make any mistakes.
i love this article! i know I put myself down from time to time about my extra pounds I still carry after having kids. this article is a reminder that i need to love myself more. thanks for sharing!
Glad it was helpful, Bek.
Congrats on your weight loss and great blog post thank you!
Thanks, Danielle.
Negative talk and attitude stalls success and is truly a waste of time! Also, steering clear of negative people is a must as well.
Thanks, Michael
Nothing good results from negativity and self-doubt. Use affirmations; surround yourself with positive people and put a smile on your face.
Great points, Beth.
One of my favorite phrases (and one I use a lot with my coaching clients): Don’t believe everything you think. So much of what we believe is true simply is not, and we’re repeating what others have told us. Great post.
Thanks, Jackie.
Great article! Shared this with my daughter. She is 14 but has a habit of putting herself down and comparing herself to others. Something sadly, I have been known to do as well. I have to remind myself that my worth and value is found in God, not my outward appearance. If you do not love and accept yourself, no one else will be able to either.
You’re so right, Jennifer. It took me a while to realize my worth wasn’t valued in what others thought. Praying for your daughter to get an early start.
I commit to weighing myself less often. Weighing myself only leads to my focusing on the number and participating in negative self talk! Great post, thank you!
What a great commitment, Heather. It’s about getting healthy, not a number. Proud of you!
I will commit to not telling myself that I am not worth much because people don’t have time for me. I will trust God to bring the people into my life that He wants to be there, instead of having expectations of others.
Amen, Anne!
I caught my husband. When he would do something impulsively, (like an early morning spill of the coffee grounds)I would hear him mutter, “What are you doing,stupid?”
I called him in it, explaining he was putting himself down, & so dishonoring God.
Work in progress!
We’re all a work in progress, Cyn. Thanks for stopping by.
To answer your question, I’m committed to telling myself that I’m AWESOME! And I’m no less than that! Subtle changes like these have made a world of a difference for me.
You’re awesome, Edmund!