Change Your Heart; Change Your Speech
Download MP3Welcome to a place of peace, hope, and divine encouragement. This is Joy In Every Step with your host, beloved preacher, retired teacher, and faithful servant of the Lord, elder Sarita Bernadette. Long before podcasting existed, a promise was spoken. That one day, Sarita's voice would bring comfort, clarity, and understanding through the word of God. Years later, when God opened the door, Sarita took the next step in faith.
Introduction:What began as a leap of faith has become a weekly invitation to walk more closely with God, discover the joy found in his word, and receive fresh revelation for every step of the journey. Whether you're walking through the valleys or standing on the mountaintops, Sarita's heartfelt messages will guide you back to God's promises with wisdom, warmth, and the gentle reminder that he cares deeply for you. So open your heart, settle your spirit, and take the next step in faith with Joy In Every Step.
Sarita Bernadette:Hi. I'm Sarita Bernadette, and welcome back to Joy In Every Step. I'm glad you're here. Psalm 141 verse three, from The Voice. Guard my mouth, O Eternal One, Control what I say.
Sarita Bernadette:Keep a careful watch on every word I speak. So in our last episode we talked about the importance of our speech. We know that words matter. We were reminded in Proverbs eighteen twenty one, Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it for death or life. I posed a question for all of us, and yes, I'm including myself.
Sarita Bernadette:Do the things we say to and about ourselves align with what God says about us? And furthermore, would we say those same things to or about someone else? Again, perhaps you have the whole self talk thing handled. God bless you if you do, and I would ask that you please send this episode to someone who may benefit from hearing it. Thank you in advance.
Sarita Bernadette:From the research, credible psychological and neurological estimates often cited from institutions like the National Science Foundation or Harvard Health suggest that roughly 70 to 80% of an average person's daily thoughts tend to be negative or self critical. 70 to 80%. There is a reason for this, beloved. Our brains are wired to scan for threats. We've been set up this way.
Sarita Bernadette:One of its jobs is to keep us safe from harm. Our brain does a wonderful thing for us every day and that's a good thing, right? Furthermore, about those thoughts that I mentioned, 95% of them are repetitive in nature. Meaning, we recycle the same worries and criticisms day after day. We can change that beloved, we can change that for ourselves by thinking about what we're thinking about and by checking what we say.
Sarita Bernadette:Second Corinthians ten and five, this is The Voice again. We are demolishing arguments and ideas, every high and mighty philosophy that pits itself against the knowledge of the one true God. We are taking prisoners of every thought, every emotion, and subduing them into obedience to the Anointed One. This verse presents the mind as a battlefield, and the war taking place there is between the enemy of our souls and God. It also commands believers to actively reject the stuff that pops up in our heads.
Sarita Bernadette:We need to refute the thoughts that oppose God and his word. We're instructed to judge every internal thought against the truth of Jesus Christ. Now think about the things we've said in casual conversation and or self talk that are not good for us. And beloved, again, this can be tricky because some of these words have been with us for so long, we don't even realize the harm they're causing us. As I stated in the last episode, they're lies.
Sarita Bernadette:Lies dressed up to sound like wisdom or humility or even self control. They're sneaky little snares that impede our progress. They are self limiting beliefs that actually tell our spirits what we really think about ourselves and others. Today we want to get into some of the specific things we might be saying and how the Word of God says something different. Beloved, examine your heart as you listen and do ask the Holy Spirit to point out what you may be holding onto and how it may be affecting your speech.
Sarita Bernadette:So I'll just present a small sampling of possibilities. And if you find yourself somewhere in here, well, let the healing begin. You might find that what you say is somehow adjacent to some of these, sayings or or or samplings that I'm about to give. I'll lead with this one. I have to get it right.
Sarita Bernadette:I can't mess this up. I would ask, is this masking perfectionism? You've probably heard a lot about this one already, perfectionism that is. This and similar statements disguise fear of judgment, beloved. Statements like this can disguise fear of failure and a general feeling of inadequacy hidden behind a purported high standard.
Sarita Bernadette:It can also mask fear of success. Because if you get it right, if you do manage to pull it off perfectly, is someone then going to demand that you continue to do that? Second Corinthians twelve:nine But he said to me, my grace is sufficient for you. For power is made perfect in weakness, so I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Here, Paul makes reference to the thorn in his flesh that he had asked God to remove.
Sarita Bernadette:Remember that? God did not grant his request. Instead, God created the ideal space for his power to show up. Instead of what if, what if, what if, instead of trying to do things perfectly, we tried our level best and left the rest up to God? I've seen Him show up in my weakness and do what only He could do.
Sarita Bernadette:His glory really shines through when we allow Him to carry us through each day and whatever that day may bring. And also perfectionism can keep you stuck in the same place for long periods of time. So I say, beloved, make the move, make the mistake, you'll be alright. Here's another one. Must be nice.
Sarita Bernadette:Must be nice. Have you ever looked at someone else's situation and said that? That statement is rich. What lies beneath a comment like that could be envy, a sense of powerlessness, and or low self esteem. It says you don't believe you are capable of accomplishing the same level of success as someone else.
Sarita Bernadette:It could also show that you believe there is only so much to go around, like success as in short supply or something. Or maybe you just think you've missed your chance. Proverbs fourteen thirty, A tranquil mind gives life to the flesh, but jealousy makes the bones rot. Beloved, that verse reminds us that inner peace and contentment are good for the mind and the body. Jealousy and bitterness will destroy us.
Sarita Bernadette:On the subject of self esteem, the Bible says, this is Psalm one hundred thirty nine and fourteen, I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful. I know that full well. Ephesians two and ten reads, for we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus so that we can do all the good things He planned for us long ago.
Sarita Bernadette:First Peter two and nine, you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light. Those scriptures are a mere sampling of what the Bible says about who we really are. We are neither inferior nor inadequate, beloved. This next trio of verses address the notion of lack. Psalm 20, The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
Sarita Bernadette:Psalm thirty seven:twenty five, I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging for bread. Philippians four nineteen, and my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. God's supply is infinite, beloved. There is plenty to go around. Here's the next expression we should check.
Sarita Bernadette:Who among us says, oh, I really don't care. I'm low maintenance. Or maybe it sounds like this, doesn't matter to me, I'm easy. Does that allow one to make excuses for lack of effort? Is it fear of rejection perhaps because you've expressed your wants and needs in the past and you've been shot down?
Sarita Bernadette:Proverbs twenty nine and twenty five reads, The fear of others lays a snare, but one who trusts in the Lord is secure. Beloved, fearing people or looking to them for validation is bondage. Be clear, Trusting God provides the kind of security that lasts. Also, does the low maintenance stance allow one to tolerate mistreatment from others? Are we settling for less than we deserve?
Sarita Bernadette:Romans eight and thirty two says, He who did not spare his own son, but gave him up for us all, how will he not also along with him graciously give us all things? Paul uses the word graciously to describe God's giving. Have you ever heard the expression, you can't beat God giving? God loves us and He gives us all that is good based on who He is, based on His loving kindness. He knows the plans He has for us, plans for our welfare and not for harm, to give us a hope and a future.
Sarita Bernadette:He wants what is best for us. Do the words I'm a little high maintenance resonate with anyone? What does that reveal? Is it vanity or maybe haughtiness? Romans twelve and three.
Sarita Bernadette:For by the grace given to me, I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. The high maintenance statement could be a way for one to defend against vulnerability and rejection also. You know, you pretend to be better than others to avoid disappointment. Or maybe it's about discontent in general. Remember in the fourth chapter of Philippians, Paul said that he learned to be content.
Sarita Bernadette:He said it had nothing to do with external circumstances. Whether he had a lot or a little, his peace came from his relationship with Christ. In Christ, he had the strength to do whatever he needed to do, to be wherever he needed to be. Now, what do we do to avoid these types of intrusive thoughts, these statements that we make that come from that deep place in our spirits and in our souls? First, notice the words.
Sarita Bernadette:Take note of the words you are speaking. Beloved, check yourself when you use words that reveal what some call stinking thinking. God bless Joyce Meyer. That's where I first heard that statement. Stinking thinking, she'd say.
Sarita Bernadette:Ask if those thoughts that you're having, those words that you're speaking align with the Word of God and if they don't, find yourself a scripture that opposes what's fallen out of your mouth or what you're thinking and pray that scripture, pray it and don't be afraid to use your post it notes. They're really useful, put the scriptures up where you'll see them daily. Then there's this, talk to yourself and use your own name. For instance, before a difficult task, I'll sometimes say to myself, Sarita, you were built for this. You can handle this.
Sarita Bernadette:You can meet this moment. You are equipped for this. It's encouraging, affirming, and it interrupts any negative self talk. Using your own name and your self talk called distance self talk, You can look that up on your own. It's really beneficial.
Sarita Bernadette:It lowers anxiety, alleviates emotional distress, and helps you just maintain your cool, maintain your composure under stress. Self talk helps you keep it together. Saying your name creates a healthy mental gap so you treat yourself like a trusted friend. Which leads to this next one, this next tip. Speak like you're addressing a good friend.
Sarita Bernadette:Your self talk should have the same compassion and grace you would offer someone you love. Speak life, beloved. I pray that these examples and tips for checking what you're thinking and saying are helpful. I believe what's essential here is that we start with our hearts, right? Luke six and forty five.
Sarita Bernadette:A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart. Change your heart, change your speech. Psalm nineteen fourteen May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer. This is Joy In Every Step.
Sarita Bernadette:I'm Sarita Bernadette and I'm grateful you chose to spend some time here with me. Feel free to share this episode with someone you know would appreciate it. You can find Joy In Every Step wherever you listen to your podcasts and give us a follow there. Do check out the website at joyineverystep.org. See you next time.
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