Thoughts of Truth
👋 Hiii friends, it’s been a while since I’ve shared in this space. I tend to go into private, solo-healing, writing-but-not-publicly-sharing mode when I’m met with grief. But I’m grateful to show up today and write to you about how I’ve recognized lies showing up in my thought life.
I’m pretty open about how I go to therapy. I’ve been going consistently for a couple of years and it’s allowed me to dig deeper into my healing and mental health journey. In recent months, during these therapy sessions, I’ve noticed how often I hold on to heavy or negative words about myself. Whether it was something said directly to me with the intent to tear me down, a phrase I've carried about myself since youth, or even something I've told myself—these negative thoughts tend to cycle through my mind more frequently than others.
And as obnoxious as it is, isn’t that true for all of us? Often, we ruminate on other’s potential perceptions of us, and can even alter our behavior on how we think others view us. In my job, I’ve seen how incredible ideas have been stifled because someone was struggling with imposter syndrome (ugh, the worst). In the prison, I’ve seen how women have repeated a generational cycle of abuse and addiction because of words they’ve held on to that were spoken over them during their childhood (which breaks my heart). Even in casual conversations, I’m sure you’ve seen friends hold themselves back from progressing, growing, or even healing, because of limiting beliefs they have about themselves.
We create narratives in our mind based on these lies and it keeps us from stepping in to the fullness of who we are. It’s so easy to remember the hurtful words spoken to us because they leave a lasting sting. And we all have things we believe about ourselves that aren’t true or helpful.
But what if you believed all the good things that were said about you?
You have value. You have great purpose. You are loved so much more than you know. As an antidote to the lies and hurtful words we’ve heard, what if we replaced them with these truths? Imagine letting encouraging words and kind notes fill our minds—not to feed our ego, but to embrace what is true and lovely, instead of what tries to tear us down. I have a sneaky suspicion, backed by personal experience, that this practice will transform your mind, helping you become confident in truth rather than bearing the weight of insecurity and lies.
So this week, really listen to others when they share encouraging words. Think about their encouragement throughout your day. And when those tough thoughts you’ve internalized about yourself start to surface (and I promise bbgirl they will), challenge these thoughts with truth. Replace ‘em. Talk back to ‘em. You have the power to dictate what you think about.
Annnd if you’re someone who believes in, or is open to reading scripture. There are so many great truths written about you (and for you). Here are a few verses that are perfect truths to have circulate in your mind on the daily:
Psalm 139:13-14 (NLT) “You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.”
Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT) “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.’”
Romans 8:38-39 (NIV) "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Galatians 3:26 (TPT) “You have all become true children of God by faith in Jesus Christ!”
And even more, we have the absolute pleasure and ability to be an active voice in uplifting and strengthening others. Shoot a text to a friend/coworker/sister/neighbor with a message of encouragement today. Let’s take this opportunity to spread positivity and support, transforming not only our own lives but also the lives of those around us. 💛
