Recently, I over poured the milk in my coffee, making a mess on the counter.

“That was  . . . ” and just before I blurted out “dumb” something unusual happened.  The words “I love me” with a little giggle came out instead.

I was not only amazed but proud of myself.  Over the past six months I have been intentionally working on this.  Catching myself when negative words were about to my take over my speech and attack me.

Changing our attitude and the words we say to ourselves is hard work.

Why?

Because we love beating ourselves up.  It feels good at first — the self-pity and blame.  Long term,  this unhealthy practice is very damaging.

“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit,  who is in you, whom you have received from God?  You are not your own; You were bought with a price, therefore honor God with your bodies.  1 Corinthians 6:19 -20 (NIV)

Learning to honor ourselves and our bodies through our speech and actions is a major challenge for many of us. It involves not only avoiding sin, but aligning our opinions with how God views us.

Where does one start?  Well, it takes practice. Strange as it sounds, mirror work is the best way I know to start developing a positive attitude about ourselves.

Affirmation is unfamiliar ground for many of us. It feels awkward.

As I stood in front of the mirror, I questioned if I should be doing this.  Even though I was the only one in the bathroom, it felt uncomfortable and I stumbled over the words, but I pressed ahead:

1. I AM A TEMPLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.  I choose to honor God and myself  with wholesome, uplifting words reflecting His thoughts towards me.
2. I AM FORGIVEN.  I CHOOSE TO FORGIVE MYSELF WHEN UNPLEASANT MEMORIES CONDEMN ME.
3. I COMMIT  TO TALKING NICE TO ME because it grieves my Heavenly Father when I defeat myself with negative words.

Practicing these affirmations in front of a mirror lines me up with the truth — God’s perception of who we are.  It prepares me for the unexpected moments when I am about to give up on myself and grieve the Holy Spirit with my negative attitude and words.

I am happy to say that I have made progress and continue to do so as I affirm myself with the truth, God’s opinion of me.

“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made your works are wonderful I know that full well.” (Psalm 139:14 NIV)

The Bible says we are all sinners saved by grace.  I am deeply grateful for this but I think we need to make sure we balance redemption with who Christ has made us to be.

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, Then you will be able to test and approve what is God’s will – His good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2 NIV)

Notice how the Apostle Paul says you are transformed by the “renewing of your mind” — literally changing the way we think. Seize the moment when it comes and overturn your thoughts and your day!

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come, The old has gone, the new is here! (2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV)