SPEAK TRUTH OUT LOUD

Fear, Shame, and Guilt

There is something really terrifying about going out into the world and thinking things in your head that basically are holding you captive. 

What is it for you?

For myself, I was always under the belief that I was not good enough, could never measure up no matter what I did or tried to do, was ugly, useless, unable to ever pursue much less accomplish greatness, that I was even a burden to the world, and worthless.

First, let’s get out of the way the thought that maybe only negative people talk like that to themselves.  Simply not true!

I was most of the time a happy kid. Just loved living and learning.  Even as I grew into adulthood through college, working years, and for a time, living in my car, I still had this effervescent spirit of hope that kept burning in my soul and refused to let go.

Whether its due to circumstantial periods of time (I’ve been there as I know many of you have been or maybe right now still), depression, anxiety, abuse, or just insecurity, there are so many reasons why we can have all this disbelief in ourselves, and therefore don’t really pursue what we are truly capable of and called to pursue, or at least try!

Thought Patterns

I try to always stay humble as I believe that is a way to stay connected with others and remind myself that we really all are part of the same family.  For me, there was something that led me to believe that humility goes hand in hand with downplaying everything about yourself including not believing in yourself, but instead believing in others and encouraging them.

Now, I realize what warped thinking this is.  It is not only possible, but an excellent marriage to stay humble and be loving not only to others but to yourself as well.  

Why is it ok if I listen to someone else’s story impressed and wishing I could do something and telling myself my story isn’t enough?  Why is it that I can comfort someone else in their tears, but punish myself when I cry thinking I’m weak?  The list goes on and on and I can’t have been alone in this, so raise your hand if you want to, because we are going somewhere with this!

There is nothing the world loves more than to have you believe that you are ugly, worthless and not valid.  

Those are all lies.  You are beautiful in a way so unique that you are the only person in the history of the world that will be JUST YOU!  You are worth the highest price there is to pay…for the King of the World to send His one and only Son to be sacrificed in such a heinous way to save you!  You are so valid, and so is your story.  It is all a part of His bigger story and is needed to affect so many others, even if you never see that part of it!

The Secret

So, how do you change this pattern of negative self-talk and belief so that you can actually move forward with your own life and do what you are called to do each day?

There is one secret.  Do you want to know what it is?

Speak Truth Out Loud.

While it may sound simplistic and silly at first, let me explain.

First off, there is so much research into this it’s ridiculous, but let me explain why this is so important.

There are so many times that we are thinking about things throughout our day that we don’t even realize what we are saying to ourselves.  So, the next time you catch yourself saying things as I have said, counteract it with an actual truth OUT LOUD.  

For example, many times in my head I have said to myself “oh good grief, how could you mess that up?  you are such an idiot.”  OK, well the truth is actually this, “ well, I tried and that means I gave it a good effort…I wonder how I could try again and figure it out and get it right a different way”.  

Just so we are clear, I am using a very “nice version” of things that may pop up in my head (and maybe yours?) so I know I have continual work to do with staying on top of this!

There are so many people locked in their own heads via depression, anxiety, shame, debilitating fear, self-hatred, etc. and this simple piece of advice can be a real blessing if we only try.

The How-To

So, for example, if you can’t think of anything positive, there is even more work to do, but even start with something as basic as “I have a roof over my head and that is a blessing.”  “I have food to eat each day.  For that I am thankful.”  

Eventually, the hope is that those turn into things like this, “I have air in my lungs and my heart is beating today.  I am alive!”  “The sun came up today and that gives me another opportunity to do my very best in all I do today.”  

If you have a house being terrorized by toddlers, then maybe even, “I am so thankful to have the blessing of children and that they are able to breathe and move and are here with me.”  “I am thankful to have dirty dishes as it means we have food and plates off which to eat.”  

Maybe you are single living alone, “I have a job that allows me to pay my bills and provide for myself.”  

There is just ALWAYS ALWAYS something to be thankful for.  I have worked with some of the homeless population before and they found great gratitude in hot meals and a safe corner to bunk for the night.

The key, in my humble opinion, is to speak it OUT LOUD.  Here is why….when you open your mouth and say something and it comes from your mouth and your voice and finds its way back to your ears and into your brain, you start to believe it.  The words resonate with you.  It does feel goofy at first, but you need to do it.  It can change the constant internal monologue you are having with yourself and how your thought patterns are arranged more towards hope and truth than fear and disbelief.

For myself, I like to say things like, “OK, so I messed up, I can still change and turn my attitude around.”  “I have a home and food and air and a working body and an amazing family who loves me.”  “I am so thankful to have my children be little for now making big messes and living life.”  “I am thankful to have clean laundry to fold and a washing machine and running water to do it with.”  

Speaking Truth

Here is the deal, LIFE truly is a gift from God.  It is meant to be appreciated so much more than most of us do.  Have you ever seen one of those movies where the person is opening up a secret gift or treasure chest and the movie shows that person’s face lighting up from the glow inside of the gift, but you never see what the gift is?

Life is like that but at least 10,000,000% better!  Let the glow of the gift of life hit you in the face as you speak truth out loud and capture for yourself the joy and hope that is life!

Please Click Here to accept this free custom printable set we made just for YOU to remind you to SPEAK TRUTH OUT LOUD!

Comment below with some out loud truths you can speak to yourself to change your internal monologue and know that you are special, unique, and needed by the world!  

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Blessings

Susan