The Voice In Your Head #RTTBROS #Nightlight

The Voice in Your Head

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." - Philippians 4:8

You know, there's a voice that talks to you more than any other voice in your life. It's not your spouse, not your boss, not even your mother-in-law. It's that voice inside your own head, the one that never seems to take a break. The question is, what is that voice saying to you?

I heard about a study once where researchers found that the average person has about 12,000 to 60,000 thoughts per day. Now that's a lot of chatter going on upstairs! But here's the kicker, they discovered that about 80% of those thoughts are negative, and 95% are repetitive. That means most of us are like a broken record, playing the same discouraging tune over and over again.

I think about David in the Psalms. Here was a man who knew something about battling with his own thoughts. In Psalm 42, he's having a conversation with himself, asking "Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me?" But then he does something powerful, he preaches to himself: "Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance."

You see, David understood that sometimes you've got to take charge of that voice in your head. Sometimes you've got to be your own preacher and remind yourself of what's true instead of what you're feeling.

I learned this lesson the hard way years ago when I was going through a particularly difficult season in ministry. Every morning I'd wake up and that voice would start in on me: "You're not cut out for this. You're failing these people. You should just quit." It was like having a bully living rent-free in my brain.

But then I started doing what David did. I began to talk back to those thoughts with Scripture. When the voice said "You're a failure," I'd counter with "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." When it whispered "Nobody cares about you," I'd remind myself that "God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son."

The truth is, we all struggle with negative self-talk. Some of us are harder on ourselves than we'd ever dream of being on our worst enemy. We'd never let someone talk to our children the way we talk to ourselves. But here's what I've learned, too soon old and too late smart: you have more control over that inner voice than you think.

Paul gives us the game plan in Philippians 4:8. He doesn't say "try not to think negative thoughts." Instead, he tells us what to fill our minds with: things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report. It's like changing the radio station from a talk show full of criticism to beautiful music.

Friend, that voice in your head doesn't have to be your enemy. With God's help and His Word, it can become your greatest encourager. Start today by asking yourself: what am I saying to me? Then choose to speak truth over your life, because history is just HIS story, and you're honored to be a part of it.

Prayer: Father, help me to take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ. When my inner voice speaks discouragement, remind me to speak Your truth instead. Fill my mind with thoughts that honor You and build me up according to Your purposes. In Jesus' name, Amen.

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