Negative Self-talk vs. Positive Affirmations

I can’t believe you said that! What on earth were you thinking? You’ll never get it right. What makes you think you can do that? You’re broken beyond repair! 

The inner critic—that nagging inner voice—judges, criticizes, and demeans me. Over time, it damages my self worth and takes a toll on my soul. This destructive chatter is fueled by shame and faulty core beliefs—ultimately by the enemy, the father of lies.  

To decipher the shaming lies of the adversary, we need to first come to identify our negative self-talk patterns. Once we recognize them, we can begin to disrupt them. When I perceive my thoughts going down unproductive roads, I can say aloud to myself, “Stop it! I don’t believe that!” Understanding how to counter the negative voice takes time and patience. 

Elder Jeffrey R Holland said: “Your most crucial challenge will be to believe that you can change, that there can be a different you. To disbelieve that is clearly a Satanic device designed to discourage and defeat you.”

On the other hand, we can change it up by talking back to the critic with positive truths. 

I used to have a list of affirmations I would recite each morning while in the shower. Periodically I would add another item to the bottom of the list. I had the list memorized and could get through it quite quickly. When I described it to a friend, she asked me if I believed the statements I spoke, or if it was just rote. I had to admit that it was mostly a routine that I needed to get through. It really just perpetuated an OCD-ish ritual. 

Later, I selected a few specific truths from my patriarchal blessing and from a powerful priesthood blessing. I learned to look at myself in the mirror and state with intent and conviction these well-chosen truths about myself. I knew these statements were true. The brain has the capacity to rewire itself based on new input. The more I experienced myself as good and valuable, the more I believed the affirmations I spoke. Positive affirmation is one of the components of faith. 

Again from Elder Holland: “The grace of Christ offers us not only salvation from sorrow and sin and death but also salvation from our own persistent self-criticism.”

I believe that the Lord will not sit idly by and let the enemy and his minions whisper lies into our minds without countering them. He and His ministering angels whisper uplifting, encouraging, inspiring assurances to us if we have ears to hear and open hearts. We can assist Him by speaking and believing what’s really true about ourselves. 

To be continued . . . with Part 65