“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13
Life is full of all different types of scenarios. The news keeps us informed on current events happening around the world, while we have our own circle of friends and community and all of the happenings in them as well. It seems that negative issues and problems have a way of becoming the center of attention and we continually learn to cope and continue living our daily lives as we have before. Even while surviving through the recent pandemic, we were only temporarily shaken from our normal schedules and ways of functioning, knowing things would improve as time went on.
Even so, there is an area that continually hinders the lives of many and sadly, it lasts for many years, and for some, even most of their lives. While we can survive through the most difficult situations and overcome the challenges they bring, many people cannot overcome their self-doubt and insecurities that take up space as a battle in their minds.
It may be that our insecurities start from childhood when we were scolded without direction as to how to do things right, or that we were yelled at instead of being trained and taught. This tends to transition with us as we move from childhood to adulthood. There are other possibilities why we struggle as well, but as for the words spoken to us, Proverbs 18:21 rings true: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.”
To have greater success in our lives both emotionally and spiritually, it’s important to win over this negative self-talk we accept as fact. Death and life are also in the power of the tongue when we are speaking to ourselves. We can be our own worst enemy when it comes to living life abundantly and successfully. Our own thoughts and words can convince us our insecurities are true. “I can’t do it. I’m no good at anything. If I try, I’ll fail.” As a child of God and one who has unique gifts to offer the world, kindness to ourselves and the effort to change our negative mindset are both worth it.
Romans 12:2 tells us, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Letting our minds be renewed with spiritual applications of the Word of God will develop the new creation that is mentioned in 2 Corinthians 5:17: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” When we’ve been born again, we need to embrace what God has called us to be, not what we have labeled ourselves as a permanent trait.
Consistently reminding ourselves that life in Christ is an abundant life with power and newness is part of our winning combination for abundant life. Transforming our mindsets to what God wants us to be and who He also says we are adds to it. Faithfulness to Him with using the power of the tongue for life when speaking to ourselves all add up to a winning combination for battling the doubts and insecurities we battle with in our minds.
Jesus loves us and wants us to succeed. With Him as our guide, we cannot go wrong.
