“Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the Lord never ends!   His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!” Lamentations 3:21-24 NLT

Recent studies suggest that the most influential person in our lives is ourselves. We can talk ourselves into things and we can talk ourselves out of things. Negative self-talk on a regular basis can lead to decreased motivation, low self-esteem, and hopelessness.

There is a story in Matthew Chapter 9 about a woman who came to Jesus. The Bible said she had a devastating problem, and issue she could not resolve although she had tried everything.  But in verse 21 the Bible records something that is extremely helpful to us.  The Bible says, “She said to herself, If I only touch his garment, I will be made well.” She told herself how to be healed.

She said to herself…no one said it to her. We must pay attention to our thoughts and what narratives we play in our heads and what voices we listen to. Our own voice sometimes being the worst. Then the Bible records (in verse 22) the sweetest thing that changed her life – “Jesus turned and saw her”.  Jesus sees you as well! Jesus said to her, “Have courage Daughter! Your faith has made you well.” (Matthew 9:22). And from that very moment she was healed.

After the crucifixion of Jesus, several women went to find Him. The ESV Study Bible describes those women as “courageously faithful”! I want to be courageously faithful! One way to do that is for me to “think about what I think about” and to remind myself to get to Jesus! He is our hope and in Him we will find healing.

“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18)

Debbie Stuart