Have a Great Week by Doing This...

Some days are easier then others. The sun shines bright, the birds sing beautifully, my skinny jeans fit. My small home seems quaint and charming, my kids seem brilliant and adorable, my office beckons with the promise of inspired writing, article acceptances, and book contracts. But, what about those "other" days...

Stepping out of bed in the morning I can feel the coat of depression being slipped over my shoulders. It's a perfect fit and if satan gets his way, I'll be wearing it all day long (and maybe even tomorrow if I don't resist it). My home seems cramped... my family demanding... my office a place of unending tasks and sure disappointments. Depressing feelings and thoughts swirl about me like an impending storm. What happens then? What can we do when our perspective has changed and we are badly in need of an attitude adjustment?

Scripture gives us the answer:

Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God (Psalm 42:5).

The Psalmist doesn't say that someone else came along and told him to be of good cheer and put his hope in God. No, he told himself to put his hope in God. After acknowledging the fact that he is indeed depressed, he then commands his soul to line up with Gods word, telling himself to cheer up because there is hope in God!

While it's true that there will be times in life where we are genuinely downcast and disturbed, there may not always be someone around to speak life-giving words to us and encourage us. At that point it's up to us to speak words of truth and comfort to our own souls (our mind, will and emotions).

Our words are more important then we realize. The Bible says that "life and death are in the power of the tongue" (Proverbs 18:21). If you've been speaking negative, worrisome words about yourself and your life, stop it! Today is a new day and a fresh start to a fresh week. It's a great time to begin to encourage yourself in the Lord and speak words of life over your life.Blessings!