Words: What We Say Matters |
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| Editor's note: More kids than ever before are dealing with anxiety and depression. It can be confusing to fight for mental and emotional health as a believer, especially for our kids. Enjoy this except from Justine Froelker's book 100 Devotions for Kids Dealing with Anxiety and be sure to share it with a young friend. * What you say can mean life or death. Those who speak with care will be rewarded. — Proverbs 18:21 NCV Words are powerful. If we believe the Word of God, we know that the tongue can bring life or death. If we listen to our parental figures, we know that certain words aren't allowed in our homes. If we listen to therapists, we know that our language can change everything. The words we choose to put after I am are very powerful. They are the difference between hard days and brighter days. They can fuel our anxiety, or they can help us cope with our anxiety. We have also talked about self-compassion and how to talk to ourselves the way we'd talk to someone we love. Another shift in language that has helped me is to name what I am struggling with. - How often do we say something like, "I'm bad at _________."
I am sure you've even heard adults in your life say it. Today I want you to shift that language to, "I struggle with _______." Then if you want to take it even further, end it with, "I am doing _________ to improve." When we shift our language, we empower ourselves to make changes that move us forward in our healing. What is the last thing you said you were bad at? Rewrite that into an "I struggle with" statement followed by what you are learning and doing to improve. I struggle with ___________________________________________________. I am doing _____________________________________________to improve. * |
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Self-compassion means speaking to yourself the way you would speak to someone you love. |
Self-compassion means speaking to yourself the way you would speak to someone you love. |
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Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body. — Proverbs 16:24 ESV How do you talk to yourself? Do you use kind words filled with grace? Oftentimes, when I ask people of all ages this question, the quick response is no! My follow-up question is, "Would you speak to someone you love the way you speak to yourself? Would you talk to your parents, siblings, and best friends the way you talk to yourself?" When you are struggling with anxiety, it can feel really hard to not shame, judge, blame, criticize, and berate yourself. Here's the thing though: just like today's verse says, all the yelling and shaming you do to yourself is only making your anxiety worse. All the self-inflicted yelling and shaming does not make you a better person or create improvement. Change can't happen in shame and judgment because shame and judgment are disconnection. Change and healing only happen in connection — even connection with ourselves. This, my friend, is called self-compassion. Self-compassion means speaking to yourself the way you would speak to someone you love. When speaking, you choose words that are sweet as honey because they will bring healing to hearts, souls, and bodies. Think of someone you really care about who is going through a tough time right now. Write a short letter of support to them, just a couple of sentences. Now copy those sentences onto the lines below, address it to yourself, and read it. This is self-compassion. How does it feel? |
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Are you good at showing self-compassion? How do you think Jesus speaks to you? Would He agree with the words you use toward yourself? What would happen internally if you stopped saying, "I'm bad at…" and said, "I struggle with…" instead? Come share with us. ~ Devotionals Daily |
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Help tweens and teens feel Jesus' love |
100 Devotions for Kids Dealing with Anxiety |
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+ FREE shipping on all orders over $35 | The perfect blend of mental health know-how and biblical truths, 100 Devotions for Kids Dealing with Anxiety offers a variety of strategies, peaceful journal prompts, and reflective Scriptures that will help tweens and teens feel Jesus' love. Written by Certified Daring Way™ & Dare to Lead™ Facilitator Justine Froelker, these daily devotionals will assist in helping children handle their anxiety. Life with anxiety is like a rollercoaster, with good days and bad days, but with constant assurance of God's love your child will be able to manage their anxiety. This devotional meets children where they are by equipping them with the resources to develop a deeper relationship with God and empowering young minds to embrace everything that makes them who they are. With Scripture passages, devotional readings, and journal prompts, children will have access to the tools, tricks, and tips on the best ways to face anxiety issues.
Author Justine Froelker is a Licensed Professional Counselor with over 20 years of experience in traditional mental health and personal development and for seven years has been certified in the work of Dr. Brene Brown. She presents to global audiences for organizations like NASA Kennedy Space Center, Boeing, Square, Edward Jones, and Balbec Capital LP on topics such as leadership, courage, resilience, mental health, preventing burnout, and courageous and curious conversation. |
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Tweens and teens, ages 8 to 13, will: - feel empowered by the devotions and the daily Scripture references
respond to prompts by writing on ruled lines for deeper reflection - understand that anxiety issues are not something that should be hidden
- identify how to better handle their anxiety on a day-to-day basis
- learn to be mindful with their thoughts and emotions
Even on the most challenging days your child can reflect on these inspirational devotions and find the strength and courage to say they are not broken, they don't need to be fixed, that they are loved.
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More resources for anxiety |
Finding Quiet: My Story of Overcoming Anxiety and the Practices that Brought Peace |
Informative and honest, Finding Quiet validates the experiences of believers struggling with mental illness, provides spiritual and psychological tools for defeating anxiety and depression—and will reassure you that you can thrive again. Finding Quiet is perfect for: - Those looking for a trusted starting point in their own research of anxiety/depression.
- Christians seeking a holistic approach to healing—one that doesn't shy from scientific knowledge but maintains a theological and biblical framework.
- Anyone in need of validation and encouragement in their struggle with mental illness.
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this devotion with someone who needs it today |
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