Have you ever heard the saying, “you are what you eat?”
Although that refers to health and I 100% agree with healthy eating equating healthy outcomes, the Lord recently reframed that saying to me and said, “Hanna, you are what you say–externally and internally.”
I thought about that for a moment and remembered that wasn’t the first time Jesus said that. He told the same thing to some Pharisees in Matthew 15 where He says, “Listen and understand. What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them.” (v. 10-11)
The things we speak
And it’s not only the things that we externally speak that defiles us but the things we internally speak as well. The messages we tell ourselves regarding our identity and purpose. The thoughts, stories and judgments we put on others when we really don’t know their situation or it’s none of our business even if we do know.
The things we speak inside will eventually speak on the outside. Whether that’s in word or in deed.
Again in Matthew 12, Jesus addresses the Pharisees and says, “You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.” (v. 34-35)
So, this is my question for you: what are you storing up?
Is it good?
- I am capable
- I am loved
- I am confident in Christ
- I am secure
- I am wanted
- I am victorious
- I am full of grace for myself and others
Or is it evil?
- I am weak
- I am not loved
- I am not seen
- I am hurt
- I am a victim
- I am bitter
- I am unforgiving
What we think eventually becomes what we say. And what we say becomes what we do.
Thoughts like, “I am unloved, unwanted, incapable.” Those shatter our identities and push us into depression; leaving us isolated and eventually, yes–those things become true. Because what we internally think turns into our external actions and ripples into our human relationships and our actions.
Thoughts like “I can’t forgive, I’m bitter and a victim,” leave us angry and stuck; unable to move past things long gone and we’re left sulking in our everyday life.
But good thoughts, thoughts of God’s truth that renew our minds tell a different story and lead to a different reality.
Thoughts of, “I am loved (because you are eternally loved)”, “I am capable (because Christ chose YOU to take action)” I am victorious (because by his blood we always win in the end)”–those thoughts lead to connection, movement, love and life.
We are not victims to our minds
Although it’s hard to remember sometimes, WE ARE NOT VICTIMS TO OUR MINDS. In fact, “we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (2 Cor. 10:5)
And on the days it is hard–we sit down and ask the Holy Spirit to help. He will do it. He always does it. The truth about who He is and who we are gives us
After having the revelation that Christ actually gave ME the power to control the thought patterns of my mind to actually REWIRE my neuro-pathways (I’m not gonna get too nerdy here, but I suggest looking up Christian Neuroscientist Dr. Caroline Leaf about the biblical science behind all of this!) that totally changed everything.
Daily, actively choosing Christ’s thoughts to be my thoughts brought such release inside my mind.
His thoughts became my thoughts–His actions became my actions. And before long, I started to look a lot more like Christ. I started to bear a lot more good fruit. And it’s not from striving–rather from having discipline and freedom in my thinking.
For anyone out there struggling with depression, anxiety, unforgiveness or low-self esteem– first go to God, then go to someone trustworthy and always remember, it’s going to be okay. If you’re willing to surrender–Jesus has got you. He’s always got you, because whether you’re bearing great fruit, bad fruit, or hardly any fruit—He will always love you.
There’s so much grace, and that’s the truth.
Read also: Woman you are wonderful
