Lessons Learned on the Journey

Sometimes I am stopped at a red light and see someone talking to themselves. Maybe they are practicing a speech or telling their boss what they really think! I chuckle wondering about the content of those soliloquies.

Years ago one of my psychiatry professors in medical school said many mental health issues could be resolved if we spoke more kindly to ourselves. So maybe the issue is not whether we talk to ourselves but what we say when we do.

Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, a physician himself, addressed this issue on a spiritual level in his book, Studies on the Sermon on the Mount. He says, "It is surely true to say that the solution to many of our problems in this Christian life is that we should talk more to ourselves." He relates that our lives would be better if we reminded ourselves daily of God's promises.

Each day we could assure ourselves and quiet our hearts by saying some of the promises of God out loud. There is something to be said for hearing our own voice say those powerful words. We could make them personal by using our names or "me". Pick some of your favorite promises or consider:

		The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.( Deuteronomy 31:8a)
		"Now if we are God's children, then we are heirs - heirs of God and coheirs with Christ. . . " (Romans 8:17)
		"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; when you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, your God." (Isaiah 43:2,3a)
		"Don't be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6,7)

Just think; we can be the ones talking to ourselves at the stop lights!