“Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation[.” (Psalm 42:5 ESV)
Talking to yourself is a good thing! No, you are right, I have no scholastic studies to support my statement. I have not gathered data from any particular age group. I have read no books on self-talk. But I will stand firm on my assertion that talking to yourself is a good thing.
I am not talking about walking around and talking to yourself orally to the point that people think something is wrong with you. Sometimes you just have to say things aloud. Sometimes what you are thinking just oozes out of your lips. Hasn’t “Thank you Jesus” ever slipped out of your mouth for one reason or another? Haven’t you ever asked yourself, letting the words seep out of your mouth, “Why me?” Haven’t you ever mumbled the multiple things you were told to pick up at the store so you would not get back home and be asked “Where is the stuff I asked you to pick up?” Those are many ways we talk to ourselves. And get this one. How about the fake taking on the cell phone when you don’t want to be bothered and when in fact, you left your phone in the car? (I’m laughing!)
Now what I am talking about this morning is silently talking to yourself after the Holy Spirit has moved on your heart to correct you or comfort you; to cause you to put a pause on releasing criticism that will escalate into a disconcerting dialogue with someone. I’m talking about the times when you ask yourself, in the confines of your mind, “Did I do the right thing just now or do I have to go fix things right now?” It’s not bad to talk to yourself, to question your manner of doing something, to examine your motive for certain behavior, or in the managing of your walk down the path of righteousness. Talking to yourself is a good thing when words are about to come out of your mouth that are still considered profane, even if they are in the dictionary or declared appropriate language by the secular world. You can, by talking to yourself, squash or extinguish such words that want to come out and if they do, they will require you to say, “I’m sorry I said that. Please excuse me.” Talking to yourself is a good thing! You can work through your dilemma by deferring to the Scripture that will let you know everything will work out for good. You can ask yourself, “Why am I tripping when I know God has everything in His hands?” You can get through grief easier, arrive at a positive conclusion faster, and get away from things that will bring you down by working out what seems to be the most difficult challenge, merely by talking to yourself and including thoughts that reveal your God-consciousness, all to arrive at the right conclusion.
Yes, every day, and more than once, have a little talk with Jesus. But remember sometimes you need to talk to yourself too. For you believers who are already using this God-given technique, keep doing it! Why? It is just like we said in the title: “It’s a good thing!” Have a great Thursday! Oh, did I interfere with your self-talk? I’m sorry. Be blessed!
“I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly.” (Lamentations 3:24-26 NIV)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King