Everyone mutters. You might hear your teen muttering, “These rules are so unfair!” Or, a co-worker might mutter, “No one values me around here.” But, what do YOU mutter under your breath?
Maybe your mutterings go something like this, “I can’t do this any more. This relationship isn’t worth it to me.” Or, maybe you groan, “This kid is driving me crazy!” Or, “This boss is unfair.” Maybe you complain, “I’ll never get ahead.” “I’ll always be stuck.” Or, I’ll never finish on time!”
Here’s the thing, our mutterings matter. They become self-fulfilling prophecies that are lived out in our every day life. The Psalmist wrote, “Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord and who meditates on His law day and night.” (Psalm 1:1-2). The Hebrew word for meditates means, “To reflect; to moan or mutter.” (Strong’s 1897). In other words, we’re to reflect on and mutter about how good God is and focus on the good gifts He’s given us.
Often this doesn’t feel natural. It’s easier in our thinking to go to what’s wrong with a situation than to dwell on what’s right about a situation. But, what we quietly repeat in our head has a profound impact on our actions. That’s why it’s important to mutter the right things and tell ourselves the truths God would tell us. Truths like, “God loves me. He is for me and not against me. He’s with me and will give me wisdom if I ask. He will supply what I need today.”
When I find my “mutterings” going south in the direction of negativity I know I need to moan something different. I go to Philippians 4:8, “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy.” Those are the things I need to focus on. Those are the things I need to mutter to myself. Those are the things I need to repeat in my head.
Friend, this week when you find yourself muttering hold a self management meeting. Remind yourself that what you dwell on becomes self-fulfilling prophecy. Take charge of your thinking and change your mutterings. Tell yourself, how good God has been to you. Remind yourself of how faithful He has been in the past. Practice thinking the best about people instead of the worst. Focus on what’s admirable. And hey, here’s a challenge for you, why not memorize Philippians 4:8?
I’d love to hear from you. How do you hold self-management meetings?
2 Responses
E.M.
Oh my goodness! I Love the concept of a self-management meeting!
I don’t think I have much practiced self-management meetings-maybe self-punishment meetings, but not self-management!
I am going to start today! After reading this I realize how much I mutter ugly things to myself, and about myself and others.
I have a job that has challenged me mentally, intellectually, and emotionally and things have been going down-hill for me lately. Reading the things you pointed out, I see that my daily habits of muttering and moaning in frustration and aggravation are becoming a self fulfilling prophesy. Thank you for sharing your wisdom! I am going to take the challenge and memorize Phillipians:4:8 and begin to change what I say and think!
Brenda
Wow! LOVE that–“hold a self management meeting”. I do know the importance of self-talk, and need continual practice in speaking the GOOD. Thanks for these reminders, Becky! Putting it into practice now! Blessings!