Affirmation is a powerful way to change your mindset. Most default to automatic negative thoughts. That’s not intended to be a judgment, it’s just what we do. Unless we train our minds to affirm the positive.
Far from the positive thinking craze of the 1980s, this exercise focuses on truth and challenging the negativity.
As a dear friend says, it’s simple but not easy.
Changing the trajectory of thoughts takes time and practice. And it is attainable and worthy of your efforts.
Affirmations of Truth
The first step is to become aware of your thoughts. Challenge yourself to become aware over the course of an hour and then broaden to a half-day and then a full day.
Think about the things that come into your mind. If necessary, jot them down in a journal to help you remember and discover a pattern.
If you’re like me, you’ll begin to see patterns emerging that dominate your thoughts. In an estranged relationship, your thoughts may default to those things that were said or done to hurt you.
Or you may notice that you are critical of yourself. Things like “I will never, I should have, I am not worthy, I deserved.”
Once you spend a few days determining your thoughts and patterns, you can go to work on affirmations of truth.
Speak to your Thoughts
While everyone is different, the patterns of our thinking are strikingly similar when we are amid estrangement.
Most notably, self-worth talk is damaging to our psyche. And we all do it. We say quietly, “what’s wrong with me?” You feel you are not worthy and may feel unloved and undeserving of love.
Learn to shift your mindset. Challenge those lies you tell yourself in those private thoughts. God says you are worthy to him. He says things like:
- You are an heir to his throne.
- You are the daughter of the King.
- He’ll never leave or forsake you.
- He calls you a friend.
- He loves you so much he gave his life for you.
- He sent the Holy Spirit to live within you.
That’s some amazing love and demonstrates how valuable you are to him. When those negative thoughts come to mind, affirmations such as those above will shift your mindset and you’ll find yourself on a healthy journey.
The key is to keep doing this. It’s not one and done. Select your negative thinking and find scriptures of truth to challenge them. Then say them aloud every day. They will soon become a part of who you are, and the negative thoughts will diminish.
Affirmations to Live By
In addition to the negative thoughts you identify, you can begin to seek out positive truthful points to ponder throughout the day.
Here are some that I love.
- The sunrise is glorious. I am so grateful God gave the sunrise to start each day as a reminder that he is faithful. Just as the sun rises each morning, he is faithful to be with me daily.
- Sunsets are my passion. My thoughts go to “God thank you for another day and the reminder that just as you were faithful to show up in the sunrise, you’re here for the sunset. It’s a reminder God that each day brings a close on another brief period of my life and the knowledge that tomorrow I can begin again.
- On walks, I notice the flowers and think about the unique creation in which I live. God created the earth and all that is in it. The amazing desert foliage is a reminder of just how creative he is. And if he is creative with flowers, how much more creative with me. Scripture reminds me I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
You get the picture. Find things in your world to remind you of good and positive truths and set your mind on those things.
Far from Pollyanna
When I first began affirmations, I felt like it was a Pollyanna way of living, and it felt awkward. You may feel the same if this is new for you. Don’t give up. You are rewriting your brain and telling it how to think.
Estrangement and other issues in life have a way of bringing us down. Affirmation is a gift you give yourself as you challenge the negativity and replace it with affirming truths that will change your life.
Are you ready to make some life-changing changes? Grab a journal and do your affirmation for 30 days. I would love to hear from you about how it helped your journey. You can send me an email at becky@nullbeckykolb.com And don’t forget to share innovative ideas with me. I’m a learner and love hearing current ideas from my readers.