Mind Games | Voices From the Past | Words

“And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will….prepare the way for him.” Luke 1:27

Zacharias and Elizabeth welcomed their baby into the family as a gift from God. Zach spoke a blessing over his tiny son, prophesying what God had told him about the boy’s future. Those words became reality as baby John grew up and accepted the role God had designed for him. He became known as John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ. But other babies born into other families hear other words spoken over their lives: “You’ll never amount to anything!” “We never wanted you.” “You’re just like your father!” Those voices also have power to shape a child’s future.  Whose voice echoes in your mind?

The voices of parents and mentors carry tremendous weight and greatly affect the way we see ourselves and our place in the world. Maybe you had godly influences like Zach and Elizabeth, so their words are treasures upon which you continue to build your life. But maybe the voices in your head belong on Jerry Springer. Maybe the words you heard were drawn from the deep wells of someone else’s brokenness. Those words are not treasures, they are trash and it’s safe to discard them.

As adults, we have the freedom to select the voices we listen to. All voices are not equally valid. Simply because they were loud does not mean they were accurate. But sometimes, even after the berating words have ended, we continue them in our thoughts. Our voice joins the others and continues the abuse. What if you spoke to yourself the way you wish someone else had done?

Final Thought:  What voices from your past are you allowing to speak about your future? How are YOU speaking about it?

Prayer: Father, whose voice is loudest in my mind? Are those things true about me? Help me weed out those voices from the past that disagree with who you say I am. I want my thoughts to agree with yours.  In Jesus’ name, amen.