Talking to Yourself
I worked with someone who often talked out loud to herself. Often, I would walk into her office, and she would be talking out loud even though no one else was around. At first, I thought she was losing it. But she quickly informed me that talking out loud to herself was her way of processing what was going on in her heart and mind.
We all have an inner dialogue. Albeit some people’s inner voice is louder than others. But most of us are living life at such a breakneck speed that we aren’t even aware of what is going on in our inner lives.
If you have ever been part of a Parched gathering, you know we always start with the question,
How is your soul?
You’d be surprised how many people struggle with answering that question. I think so many of us struggle to answer that seemingly simple question because we don’t take enough time to PAUSE and listen to how we are really doing.
A Hebrew poet from long ago wrote,
Why are you cast down, O my soul,
and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
my salvation and my God. (Psalm 42:5)
In essence, the poet was talking to himself! He was PAUSING and taking note of the state of his soul. Wherever you are right now, I invite you to PAUSE. Before we dive in, take a few deep centering breaths and then pray,
Holy Spirit, still my heart and mind, search me and know me, O God.
Take a few more deep breaths.
How is your soul?
Is it downcast, like the poet’s soul? Do you sense it is in turmoil? If so, name the things causing turmoil in your soul. Whisper them out loud. Turn your inner dialogue into a prayer to God.
PAUSE.
Maybe your soul is rejoicing. Praise God! Still, name the things causing your soul to rejoice. Whisper, or even shout them out loud. Turn your inner dialogue into a prayer to God.
Notice that the poet does not tell his soul, “Stop being downcast.” Or “Come on, you should be happy!” His inner dialogue is Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.
Tell yourself that now.
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.
PAUSE.
Say it to yourself again,
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. (Romans 15:13)
