You Achieve What You Believe!
“Words kill; words give life; they’re either poison or fruit -- you choose” ~~ Proverbs 18:21.
Imagine if you were to record all that you say during a given day. Later when you replayed the recording, what would it sound like to you? Would you approve or would you wince and shrink back from what you heard?
Have you ever said something and then asked yourself: “Why did I just say that?” When you searched deep within your heart, were you utterly convicted by what you just said? Did you ask yourself: “Where did that come from?” Needless to say, the power of our words can change our course for the good or for bad.
If there are aspects of your life that you’re not happy with including your walk with the Lord, it’s likely caused by your own internal belief system. But the good news is that you can reshape your beliefs, alter your actions, and develop positive results IF you’re willing to do so!
"Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve." ~~ Napoleon Hill
Our Experience …
Recently my husband read a book that discussed in great detail the words we say to ourselves and how those words represent our thoughts and personal beliefs. He learned that our actions are almost always consistent with those thoughts and beliefs… and all our behaviors are automatically driven primarily by our subconscious minds. In other words, we often behave, without consciously choosing – all in accordance with how we believe. Knowing this, wouldn’t you think it would be of paramount importance for us to believe in things that are true about ourselves, as opposed to that which is untrue?
That particular book made a HUGE impact on us. It caused our family to look inward, to dissect our words, and determine what we truly believe about ourselves, about God, and anything else for that matter.
Reflecting Upon That Thought …
Why do we ask ourselves negative questions? An example could be: “Why do I fail at spending time with the Lord? My intention is to seek Him, YET daily I fail because the kids need this or that, my husband needs me, or I’m just too busy!” Does this sound familiar? Do you beat yourself up with guilt and shame all because of your internal belief that you’re not good at spending time with the Lord? Then what happens? You actually begin to isolate yourself further from Him. Why? Because you believed that you were not worthy to be loved by Him because you did not spend adequate time with Him. This circular reasoning can have devastating effects on your life! Not to mention that it is untrue.
Let’s Change Our Way of Thinking …
What if you were to consciously change the nature of the above question to reflect the opposite belief? “Why DO I spend adequate time with the Lord? I intentionally seek Him, because even though our kids need this or that, my husband needs me, and I’m very busy, I can always find time for the Lord!”
Do you think if you were to reframe your question from negative to positive, a paradigm shift would take place? YES! For the questions we ask ourselves come from our beliefs, which then shape our actions. Initially you have a thought, then you speak it as words, then your actions become consistent with those words! If you change your question, then you can reprogram your subconscious mind to redirect your behavior. How do we start the process? By first changing our thinking, then speaking forth positive truths, then out of that we do accordingly!
Let’s Make the Change …
Are you willing to search your heart and beliefs, and allow the Holy Spirit to help you to carefully choose your words from now on? Will you then focus upon what you hope will actually achieve your intended outcome instead of failing to do so?
Submit your thoughts and words to Our King, Our Lord, Who has the ultimate plan for your life! Trust in HIM, for HE is Sovereign and WISE, and HE LOVES YOU!
Do You Truly Believe HE Loves You? …
He CHOSE You! He DIED for you! Should there be any question?
“Tell everyone who is discouraged to be strong and don’t be afraid! God is coming to your rescue!” ~~ Isaiah 35:4
I encourage you to take some quiet time and really think about what you are saying to yourself. If it’s not uplifting to you, reframe your negative questions into positive ones. This will begin a new pattern of how you think, believe, and act. This process which will take time, however… be consistent and practice daily. The eventual result will be a new way of believing, acting, and living!
Proverbs 3:6 says, “Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; He’s the one who will keep you on track.”
Pray with me …
Lord, help me with my beliefs and thought life to become aware and intentional of what I say. Lord, I need You every second to guide and give me wisdom. Lord, I believe and trust that You will burn out ALL that is not of You! In Jesus’ Name, Amen!
Meditate on These Scriptures …
“I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin; I will put a muzzle on my mouth while in the presence of the wicked” ~~ Psalms 39:1 (NIV).
“Take control of what I say, O LORD, and guard my lips” ~~ Psalms 141:3 (NLT).
“If any of you needs wisdom to know what you should do, you should ask God, and he will give it to you. God is generous to everyone and doesn't find fault with them” ~~ James 1:5 (GOD’S WORD).
-Elizabeth Bowman