Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone. (Colossians 4:5-6 NLT)
And a small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go, even though the winds are strong. In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And among all the parts of the body the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself. (James 3:4-6 NLT)
Some fundamentalist believers speak very little. They really take this scripture to heart. They do not engage in idle talk. They have come to the conclusion that to be a true follower of Jesus one must be self-disciplined with their speech.
As women we also have an internal dialogue. I believe these principles also apply for how we talk to ourselves. If we are negative and complaining to ourselves chances are we will magnify this to others. Did you say a gracious and attractive thing to yourself today? Or did you run down a list of things that you cannot possibly accomplish in a lifetime let alone today.
Using Biblical references for daily encouragement will lead you straight to Psalms. I can’t think of anyone in history that had more problems than David. But what did he do about it? He wrote songs. Some were pleading for God to save him from imminent peril and all of them praising God.
I encourage you to read all of Psalms 63 because, WOW.
These are a list of things to say to yourself when you are being negative in your mind and all the time. Remember God gave you self-discipline. “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love and self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:7 NLT)
“Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.” Psalms 63:3 KJV
My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips” Psalms 63:5 KJV
Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive; thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the Lord God might dwell among them. Psalms 68:18 KJV
“Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our Salvation.” Psalms 68:19 KJV
Notice that none of these are about you. “He must increase, but I must decrease.” John 3:30 KJV The more you think about Him the more joy you will feel. The more you will act gracious and attractive.
I once knew this very old woman of God. She had arthritis and a lot of pain. Every time she got up from the chair she would yell, “Praise God”. I didn’t know what she was doing back them but as I age I see she was replacing the words of pain with words of praise. Look for your own words from the Word to replace your negative words in your mouth and you mind. Praise Him!
