A couple weeks ago, a friend of mine was commenting on the words “Bless the Lord, O My Soul” from 10,000 Reasons by Matt Redman. He said that we need to talk to ourselves. He said we need to stop listening to our hearts for a moment and tell our hearts how awesome God is, and worship Him.
Giving Yourself Direction
Our culture is big on listening to your heart and your feelings. Don’t get me wrong, we need to know ourselves, but that's different than listening to yourself. We need to self-analyze, not resigning ourselves to never advancing past what we find there. You see, while self-analysis is great, listening to yourself comes from the philosophy that we already contain all the answers and strength and resources needed for life. We just have to tap into the awesomeness within ourselves. The Bible is pretty clear that we don't have awesomeness in ourselves. We have awesomeness in Christ, who dwells within us. The answers do not lie with us—they lie with Jesus, and we must instruct ourselves in his truth in order to grow.
We are insufficient. God is sufficient. We need God. Both a sustaining relationship with him, and the truth he speaks into our lives.
Jesus was clear on this dynamic with his disciples, "without me [Jesus], you can do nothing" (John 15:4-6). Paul is also clear on this point in Galatians 2. We only live out the Christian life through Jesus living in us. We bring all the sin and death, he brings all the restoration, grace, strength, and life. Even after salvation, we do not become sufficient, spiritual people. We are only ever upheld by Jesus living through us.
So with this in mind, feel free to search your feelings and emotions; but don't look for solutions or rescue there. Don't listen to the darker voices within you. Speak the light of God's grace and truth into your life. Tell yourself to obey and worship God. Preach the gospel to yourself every day.
Talk to yourself.
Under Grace,
John Fritz
John Fritz is the Volunteer Coordinator for Thoughtful Life Ministries and the primary author of the Thoughtful Life Journal, which is published weekly from March through September. The purpose of this blog is to challenge and encourage those who have a desire to cultivate a more meaningful walk with Christ. Visit our Homepage to learn more about the ministry and our annual two-week summer Discipleship Program for teens and young adults.