Do You Speak Harshly To Yourself?

Some people say things to themselves they would never say to someone else. As a matter of fact, they treat things better than themselves. Do you fall into this category? If so, why? How did this start? Did someone speak into your life something that should never have been said, and it took root in your heart? Do you realize it does not belong there, and it needs to be uprooted? You might reply, “Yes, I’ve tried to get rid of it, but I still can’t seem to shake it.”
Perhaps this does not apply to you, but more than likely you know someone to whom it does. Either way, one important aspect to addressing this issue is dealing with its root cause, instead of simply trying to stop the action. To illustrate the point, we know if we pick all the fruit from a tree, more fruit will grow in its place. However, if we cutoff or kill the roots, the tree will cease to produce fruit.

Seeds, Roots and Fruit

Jesus pointed out that people speak from the abundance of the heart (see Matthew 12:34; Luke 6:45). Dovetailing on a previous question, what you believe you about yourself greatly affects how you treat yourself, which includes the quality of one’s self-talk. More than likely, most negativity towards yourself can be traced back to something someone close said or did to you. The seeds of negativity are usually planted when a person is young. It’s startling to know something said years ago still negative impacts people today.
 Even though this is not a new concept, many fail to recognize how it is currently affecting them. In fact, several consider it to be normal. Normal does not necessarily mean healthy or good! Getting used to pain does not make the pain, good. It is still causing problems. For example, a person with a sore foot will start walking with a limp. Eventually the limp becomes normal to them. Maybe it doesn’t seem so bad; but what if it begins to affect the spine as a result? Now there is additional pain.
Pain can cause more pain, just as the saying goes: “Hurt people hurt people.” That does include individuals hurting themselves. It’s called, self-sabotage. This could introduce another lesson pertaining to those who sabotage relationships with others, in order to hurt themselves. They are connected. The one who speaks harshly to his or her self is causing self-inflicted pain. It reinforces a lie!
A large portion of your thoughts or beliefs did not originate with you. Others gave you those thoughts. Not all of them are bad; in fact, some are very good. Of course, some are destructive and need to be expelled.

Cut The Roots

Ephesians 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Never underestimate the Word of God when it comes to making changes. As a matter of fact, apart from the Word of God (written and spoken), you’ll be incapable of godly change. It probes the heart and conscience, and exposes what is lurking in dark corners.
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
One way to use the Sword to attack the roots is to compare your thoughts, along with your beliefs, to the Word with the help of Holy Spirit. One simple question can put an end to a wrong thought: Is that true? How does this compare to what God says? No matter how significant someone might be in your life (spouse, parent, grandparent, etc.), you cannot afford to place more weight on what he or she says than what God says.
Psalm 139:14-18 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are Thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from Thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in Thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. How precious also are Thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with Thee.
You are fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of God. To truly know yourself, or to find your true self, come to better know God. The more you know Him, the more you will know who are meant to be. That doesn’t make you a god; rather, His character becomes your character. Anything contrary to God’s nature, should also be contrary to yours. By walking in the Spirit, it is so!
When you decide to believe God, your words will change.

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