I SPEAK TRUTH: 7 Affirmations of Faith and Trust

Have you ever considered how knowing your spiritual identity aids you in your everyday routines?

Knowing WHOSE you are, transforms your beliefs about WHO you are. When your heart is aligned with God’s, the mantra of “I Speak Truth” falls into place.

Knowing your spiritual identity equips you to:

1. Take your thoughts captive
2. Access greater peace
3. Grow your compassion for others

Sound easier said than done?  Some of the messages we hear from others, as well as those we tell ourselves, seem impossible to tune out. That RIGHT THERE is the beauty of affirming God’s truth in our lives.  We aren’t fighting in vain to tune out unwanted thoughts or distract ourselves.  Instead, learning to take your thoughts captive replaces the lies with truth, bringing your heart unyielding peace and changing the course of your life! Pretty incredible, right?

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Why Do We Lie to Ourselves?

Before we look to affirm ourselves in God’s truth, it will serve us well to take a look at why we lie to ourselves in the first place.

Psychology Today lists several reasons why we lie to ourselves, but most have to do with deceiving ourselves with what we want to hear. In other words, we sugarcoat the truth in an effort to improve upon reality.

This is done when we attribute a positive milestone in our lives solely to our own skills rather than sharing credit with external sources when applicable. We may also “cherry-pick” data to support what we want to be true. And sometimes we lie to ourselves because it supports something we desperately want or need to be true.

Unfortunately, many people view the practice of positive daily affirmations as one more way we lie to ourselves!

Without understanding how our thoughts impact our mind, body, and spirit, affirmations can seem hokey, unfounded and a rather big waste of time with the only purpose being to continue sugarcoating reality.

Self-Handicapping

In the same article linked above, Psychology Today lists one reason why we might tell ourselves negative lies or messages of untruth. They call this behavior “Self-Handicapping” and it describes the self-sabotage we create when we refuse to try lest we fail. If we shrink back and refuse to try, we won’t risk having to come face to face with a failed attempt. We also won’t learn or grow and run an even bigger risk of getting stuck.

How To Renew Your Mind

Hopefully, you’re on the edge of your seat calling out, “But Jesus!” in response to this, because our God doesn’t lay out a list of rules and wish us luck. Our God progressively restores us to righteousness, renewing and transforming us from the inside out.

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2 (NIV)

I may not know God’s will for you personally, but I do know this. It does NOT include a futile attempt to box God in and stay stuck with your eyes on yourself rather than the limitless ability of The One who created you.

How To Take Every Thought Captive

As Jesus followers, however, we know our thoughts hold power. Why else would be told to take them captive and make them obedient to Christ? When we use God’s Word as the foundation for our affirmations, we can confidently say, “I speak truth!”.

“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5 (NIV)

As we adopt a mantra of “I Speak Truth”, using God’s own words to fight back against lies, we live out this verse to its fullest!

Whenever we face a stubborn problem or sin we’ve struggled with forever, we have choices. We can believe the lie that we’re powerless to make changes deciding it’s pointless. Often this lie binds us so tightly that we forget to seek The One who knew us before we were born. We parcel ourselves out and miss out on a rich holistic faith lifestyle.

But this isn’t the only option!

The best choice is to be honest in prayer as we ask for forgiveness and aid, trusting that what God says about us is more important than any other message, opinion or memory that shaped our thought patterns.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 (NIV)

“I am sure that God who began the good work in you will keep on working in you until the day Jesus Christ comes again.” Philippians 1:6 (NIV)

“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” Romans 8:37 (NIV)

 

How Do Affirmations Work?

As a reminder, affirmations are declarations of support or encouragement.  When repeated as daily reminders, our words become powerful catalysts that change our outlook and level of success in specific areas of life.  Speaking positively over our lives helps us challenge deep-held beliefs and combat long-standing feelings of guilt, low self-worth, and fear. Trusting in God to complete the good work started in us puts an end to limiting thoughts!

 

I Am Truthful Because…

Whoever of you loves life
    and desires to see many good days,
keep your tongue from evil
    and your lips from telling lies.
Turn from evil and do good;
    seek peace and pursue it.

~Psalm 34:12-14 (NIV)

Today’s verses from Psalm 34 were recently shared with me by my very wise sister-in-love, Kacy.  Applying this verse to what we tell ourselves had never clicked with me.  So thankful for her wisdom!  You can soak up more of her beautiful insight at Redeemed Ruth.

Affirmations of Faith and Trust

Here are 7 powerful daily affirmations inspired by our verses from Psalm 34:12-14.

I love life.

I desire to see good things happen.

I trust in the work God is doing in my life.

I only speak truth to myself.

My heart only listens to the truth.  I turn my back on lies.

I chase after peace and abandon my false thoughts.

I live in peace with myself so I may live in peace with others. (from Romans 12:18)

God lays it all out so simply!  All we need to do is gather up the truth and soak it in.

take your thoughts captive

If you’re serious about taking your thoughts captive, check out these 3 Questions to Inspire Your Powerful Daily Affirmations. You’ll see how powerful daily affirmations do more than momentarily hype you up. The 3 questions guide you through writing your own powerful daily affirmations with a step by step process for determining what you really need to hear.

There’s also a free printable for walking you through the questions. Learning how to take every thought captive can take some time. Changing our mindset is no quick matter, but our God is faithful to begin the good work that’s been started in you! This free printable guide gives you a place to record your answers, develop your powerful daily affirmations and find scriptures that support you in the process.

 

 

 

Additional Holistic Christian Resources

I love this “Be Still” Prayer Journal.  Having a specific place for writing all of my prayers together creates a personal treasure!  This journal includes a different verse on every page, which I love for its help to speak truth right to our hearts.  The spiral-bound book means no wasted pages and there’s a hard surface included for writing wherever we find time to reflect! It is also just the right size to fit in most of my purses and bags. It also makes a beautiful gift!

 

 

3 Reasons to Use a Prayer Journal

1. God’s promises are a great way to speak truth into our heart.  A prayer journal keeps your heart accountable for trusting those promises and uncovers additional needs for prayer in your own life, as well as things you may be struggling to believe for others.  These clues can also be used in developing your powerful daily affirmations.
2. As you grow so will your affirmations.  God’s truths never expire, but some promises speak more powerfully in specific seasons.  By writing your prayers and affirmations out in a journal, you can vividly trace God’s work of etching the truth on your heart.
3. Finally, since so many prayers include praise and thanks, it lends itself to doubling as a Gratitude Journal.  Gratitude Journals are an amazing reminder that seasons come and go, but God is always faithful!

 

All my best to you as you take your thoughts captive and renew your mind!