Talk to Yourself!

Do you ever talk to yourself? Whether we admit it or not, most of us do either verbally or non-verbally.

When I played golf — a game I long ago decided I would not conquer — I used to talk myself through my next shot. I’d say things like, “Keep your head down. Keep a firm grip. Swing through the ball. Don’t rush your swing.” And things like that.

It helped. Not nearly enough for me to keep playing, but enough to lessen the embarrassment of my shots.

Well, sometimes, we have to take charge of what’s going on with ourselves and do some self-therapy. It can help us stay focused on what matters. What’s good and wholesome in life.

Psalm 103 has that kind of self-talk. The psalmist says, “Let my whole being bless the LORD! Let everything inside me bless his holy name! Let my whole being bless the LORD and never forget all his good deeds: how God forgives all your sins, heals all your sickness, saves your life from the pit, and crowns you with faithful love and compassion, and satisfies you with plenty of good things so that your youth is made fresh like an eagle’s” (Psalm 103:1-5, CEB).

No, everything that happens in life is not good. When I hear people say, “It’s all good,” I think, “Well, no, actually it isn’t all good.”

But God IS good. And as Paul says we can choose to “think about these things” (Philippians 4:8, NRSV).

You will have challenges, setbacks, and disappointments in life. But you can also have triumphs, sunny days, good friends, and joys.

Like the Psalmist, let’s make a conscious decision that we will be those who bless the Lord and think about God’s good things! Even if you need to talk to yourself to get there!

Let’s pray: God of love and grace, you have promised to give us a life worth living through Jesus Christ. Help us to talk and think about your goodness while we live. Amen.

God Bless You!

Dr. Bowers