A group of friends and I chatted during lunch at an Asian restaurant last Sunday. After we finished, the usual thing happened.
A waitress approached the table with a tray. “Fortune cookies for you,” she said with a lovely accent.
Although I don’t believe in that stuff, I took one. And it read: The worst lies you hear are those you tell yourself.
Oh my, for the first time this silly cookie contained a true statement. How many times have I done that? Have you? We goof at something and what comes out, “Oh, what an idiot!” we say to ourselves.
If that becomes a habit, what happens then is those negative words we utter turn to the attitude we embrace. And that attitude turns to the course we take. And sadly, the course can take us to a not-so-pleasant destination.
But here are three secrets to change that in order to make our days shine.
We acknowledge the harm in those lies we say about ourselves. And recognize where they come from.
Jesus said: “He the devil was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” (John 8:44)
We ask God to transform our words: “Set a guard over my mouth, O lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.” (Psalm 141:3)
We commit to change our words to reflect who we truly are: “My tongue will speak of your righteousness and of your praises all day long…” because as the psalmist says, “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” (Psalm 35:28 and Psalm 139:14)
Next time we open a fortune cookie, we might find silly nonsense. But when we open God’s Word, we’ll find His truth, powerful truth worth replacing the negative words we’re tempted to say about ourselves.
Let’s celebrate the change because when praises, edifying words and positive comments flow from our lips, the enemy is silenced, our attitude is transformed, resulting in pleasantly sweet days.
What words have you been telling yourself lately?
Janet