Soul Strength

“Only speak words that make souls stronger.” - Ann Voskamp & Holley Gerth

I have it taped to the cabinet just to the left of my stove, it’s been there for almost 2 years. A quiet reminder to always speak words that love and wrap a person in grace.

Rather than the biting ones, the snarling ones that I was so used to speaking.

The kitchen seemed the perfect space for such a reminder, since it is there that a lot of our interaction as a family happens. As I prepare meals, or wash up I am always drawn to the words. They keep me and my sometime molten temper in check.

This morning, however, as I was making my breakfast, I caught another meaning, one meant just for me. How the words that I speak to myself need to be ones of grace and redemption as well.

I never realized until this morning how the stain of my negative self-talk was impacting my day to day life. How the mean and nasty off-handed remarks “Tonya, you’re so stupid,” or “Tonya how could you be so dumb.” Or, on my worst days? “My word Tonya, you’re looking a little heavy today,” actually tear holes in my own soul.

It’s been a rough go for us this summer, financially, and I’m battling doubt and second guessing every decision I make, right down to the “Do I spend the 99 cents at Value Village for a small glass vase for my bathroom.” I’m struggling with knowing that God has me right in the palm of His hand.

And in the middle of this struggle that’s when I feel like throwing up my hands and claiming defeat and that’s when all that negative talk blares like there’s a loud speaker right in my head. It’s like a vicious circle. Doubt. Be nasty to yourself. Doubt. Be nasty to yourself.

You get the picture right?

“Kind words are like honey — sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.” - Proverbs 16:24

Trust me when I tell you I sure could use some soul sweets!

One of the sweet friends who penned those words above once told me, in a reply to a comment:

“Tonya, you should only speak words to yourself that Christ would speak to you or that you would speak to your soul-sisters.”

Christ certainly doesn’t speak to me the way I sometimes speak to myself and I certainly don’t use those words with my beautiful friends. So, why should I use them on myself?

I needed that reminder today. I need that reminder every day.

I am called. I am His. I am Beloved.

And guess what?

You are called. You are His. You are Beloved.

So…

“Only speak words that make (your) soul(s) stronger”

I would love to hear from you. Do you often find yourself engaging in negative self-talk? How do you help yourself remember that you are a daughter of the King?