Affirmations

Psalms 23 is one of the most famous of Psalms. I’m sure everyone has heard it and I’m equally sure many of you have heard it so often, you no longer really hear what it is saying. And for many of you it has a connection to funerals because I also think it’s one of hte most used Bible chapters on the back of funeral cards. This little chapter’s most powerful usage is for the living.

I’d like you today to try to see this Psalm in a different way. In fact, I want you to use this psalm to help rewire your brain. We are going to do this through the use of affirmations. 

What is an Affirmation?

Affirmations are a practice that have been tossed around for decades. They are positive statements that help you to challenge and overcome self-sabotaging and negative thoughts.” (www.mindtools.com) The premise is if you repeat them often adn believe in them, you can start to make positive changes. 

On one hand, it sounds like a really great idea.  Many of us have a nasty inner critic that populates our heads with mean or discouraging statements. It can only be a good thing to  to turn off the automatic stream of criticism and replace  it with kind words.

It’s like removing Eeyore from our heads and inserting Ms Doubtfire. Or Cruella Deville  with Betty White. Who doesn’t need that upgrade?

Or Cruella Deville with Betty White. Who doesn’t need that upgrade?

I believe the problem comes in when we think we are lying to ourselves. You have to draw your affirmations from something you believe or, are at least in the realm of the believable. If you just repeat things to yourself that you don’t believe you are actually causing cognitive dissonance. 

Cognitive Dissonance, 

Cognitive dissonance is when you have two conflicting thoughts at the same time – which actually causes angst in your system. It literally takes a mental toll. An example is going eye to eye with yourself in the mirror and telling yourself you are a millionaire if in reality you are drowning in credit card debt. Or saying “I am enough.” When you haven’t done the work to get there and a part of you is standing back  and saying “Really?  I happen to recall you weren’t enough for your dad and I think there’s a boss that might want to weigh in on that.” 

Just saying words you wish were true in hope that some magic will happen is a wasted practice. Let me show you a way you can incorporate affirmations into your life that are anchored  in thousands of years of productive practice. 

I have pulled a list of 10 Affirmations from this little psalm. I will walk through them with you.  Which one or two does your soul need to hear today? 

Here they are, the 10 Affirmations I’ve pulled from this piece for you to focus on as you take on your day.  

1. The Lord is my Shepherd. Relax. You’re in the right place at the right time.

Someone else is in charge. It’s not all up to you. You have a guide through this crazy wilderness. You’re not alone and He has  you right where you are  supposed to be.  

2.  The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.

I have everything I am in need of. Look at you fed, dressed, warm, You don’t need anything else. The world of marketing bombards you all day long with all the things  that will make your life better. In fact many apps make you pay so you aren’t deluged by advertisements. . What if you believed for this moment, for this day, that you have everything you need? 

3. “He makes me lie down in green pastures. He restores my soul.

I don’t have to hustle 24/7. There is space to refresh myself. You can and should take a day off. If you are sick or injured and unable to work, instead of working yourself into a frenzy, or busy amusing and entertaining yourself  what if you paused and saw it as a time for soul restorations. A time of resting by quiet waters. A time to renew my soul. This is the moment when you don’t have to hustle for anyone or anything. Everything can wait for this minute. 

6. “He guides me along the right paths for his name sake. 

 If I’m willing to follow, He will direct me on the right path. Trying to make a decision today? He’s on the path ahead of you knowing where you should go.  You’re a sheep, calmly take the next step that you know. You’re not a squirrel scattered and panicky to store enough away so you can survive.  

 8. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil for you are with me.  

I’m not going to fear bad stuff, I will instead find place of comfort. . Oh Gosh, the news, the media , the world is filled with bad stuff. I don’t think our nervous  systems were designed to handle all the bad news from all the world. Shut it off. Tell yourself you don’t have to be afraid. You’re not alone in this. One of  things I know about trauma is the most traumatic events that impact you the most are when you were alone going through them. 

7. ‘Your Road and Your Staff comfort me.” 

My guide has the tools needed for this space. I don’t have to know everything or do everything. I don’t have to have it all in control – he’s got this. . 

 9. “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. 

My source of strength is not dependent on the haters. Even when someone is against me, I still can eat in peace. Their anger. Their hatred doesn’t have to  touch me. I can see it and continue to take in nourishment for my soul.  

10. You anoint my head with oil , my cup overflows: 

I am anointed and filled to overflowing. What if you took that into your day. This is the line that spurred me forward to create this today. I am anointed and filled to overflowing. Take that in for a minute. What are you anointed for today? What is you believe you were so full that the thing that fills you can’t help  but overflow into the lives of those around you.  

11. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,

I am leaving behind blessings of good things and love for those that come behind me. 

12.” I will dwell i the house of the Lord forever. 

 I have a place in a home where I belong. Maybe today your home is in turmoil and it doesn’t feel peaceful and safe. Know you are part of something greater.  You a child of God in a house where you are loved, and cherished and looked after forever. Noone’s kicking you out at a certain age. You’ll never be to old to  have value in this house. 

How do you use these to retrain or rewire your brain. 

Pick out one of these that resonates with you. Right click on it or tap it. Download it to your phone or send it to yourself in an email. If you can schedule the email to send later in the day as a reminder to yourself, or use it as the background in your phone so when you pick it up before you blast your soul with everyone else’s perfect life on social media you take a moment and remind yourself of this.

Our brains our astounding but they are also efficient. If there is a pathway in your head that your thoughts are used to goin g down, you can guarantee that’s where your brain will continue to send the thoughts. And What ever you believe, your brain will find proof. If you belief you will never get it all done, your brain will find more than enough proof that you are inadequate to meet the demands of your life. . But that thought pops up and you redirect your brain toward the thought that “I don’t have to get it all done I just have to do the next thing. That my friend is how you reprogram your brain. 

Grab the Affirmations that resonate with you and then go take on your day!