Words Count

Once again it is Tuesday and time for Lelia's Yes to God study. We are currently on the second chapter of Self Talk, Soul Talk and this week our focus is on "Renewing Your Thought Closet." Jennifer is continuing to look at what we put in our thought closet. And all too often it's like our one for clothes - full of things that don't belong.

She mentions that "our words count. Perhaps we would all benefit from measuring and contemplating our words the same way a writer does before the stroke of her pen. You see, we all write on the surfaces of our own minds when we speak to ourselves."

Those words are so true, but ones I haven't spent much time thinking about until I picked up this book. I've always been one to encourage others and speak truth to them, but when it came to myself - it seemed a different story. I was quick to believe all things were possible for them and they were wonderfully made by God, but the message I told myself was no where near that. I could relate to the negative messages and labels Jennifer shared, which I'm sure is true for many of us.

Why can it be so easy to lift another with truth, but at the same time bury ourselves with lies? That's a question I've been thinking about lately and it seems God has put this answer on my heart - it ultimately comes down to what we believe and who we trust.

Honestly it can be a lot easier for me to believe something for someone else than it is for myself. Ultimately because I know the whole story when it comes to my personal situations - I know who I really am, the mistakes I've made, the pain I've experienced. And Satan loves to bring those memories, thoughts and regrets back, which allows doubt to creep in. Sometimes that comes by opening the drawer to our negative thoughts and self-inflicted pain.

Once that drawer opens it seems the same thing happens that takes place in my bedroom when my soon to be 2 year old stumbles onto a open drawer. She doesn't just drag one thing out, but empties the contents entirely until nothing is left but a frustrating mess. I'm beginning to realize the same thing is true in my mind. Listening to one lie typically leads to a mess of many more.

So as the study begins I'm reminded of the one we just finished - God knows who we really are, more so than I do myself and He loves me and wants to fill me with His truth. So like Jennifer says I must remember, "You can't remove those hurtful thoughts, words, and memories, but by the power of God, you can drain them of their potential control over you."

I look forward to moving ahead and cleaning my closet and I trust in return, He will draw me closer and I will hear Him better.