power in affirming words

I believe that there is great power in affirming words! As I raise my sons, I desire that they build the confidence to confront challenges that will surely come their way, and I believe that affirming words help us to build personal reservoirs of strength to draw upon in times of need. Each of us must be personally responsible for how we cultivate our minds and hearts.

A man's mind may be likened to a garden, which may be intelligently cultivated or allowed to run wild; but whether cultivated or neglected, it must, and will, bring forth. If no useful seeds are put into it, then an abundance of useless weed seeds will fall therein, and will continue to produce their kind.

James Allen, As a Man Thinketh

Daily, we plant seeds and others plant seeds (good or bad) in the gardens of our minds and into the minds of our children. Positive affirmations have great potential to help us because, in reality, they are affirming eternal truths. Each of us has divinity and the potential for godliness within us as children of a loving Heavenly Father. When we yoke ourselves with our Savior Jesus Christ, we draw upon His grace and power to overcome challenges because Jesus Christ overcame all.

Whatever we cultivate and nourish will grow, so let’s grow the best within us! Intentional cultivation requires consistency, but consistency and practice over time invites strength unto our lives.

I do not believe affirmations are a quick fix. Affirmations require time, and I think to fully draw upon the power in these affirmations, it is important to allow the scriptural truths within them to sink deeply, simultaneous to practicing the affirmations. Allowing them to sink deeply requires cultivating a living faith—both being taught and beginning to develop one’s own personal relationship with Father in Heaven and with His Son Jesus Christ.

Additionally, I also believe that when our focus is positive, we draw good things into our lives!

When I was a girl, my mother introduced affirmations as well as visualization to me. I liked to say them at night and visualize my goals, overcoming challenges, etc.! I learned back then that affirmations are powerful tool to add to my life toolkit, because affirming truth is powerful.

I have found the best time for us to practice affirmations (we usually just do two or three) is right at bedtime as I am kissing them and tucking them in their beds. Afterwords I love speaking affirming words to them as well such as “You are such a blessing to me!”

Here is a list of affirmations my sons have been practicing over the past year-and-a-half, along with scriptures that articulate these affirmations so powerfully! We have not practiced all of these affirmations yet, but we plan to do so over time. I do not change affirmations often. I allow a great deal of time for the words, the ideas, the truths to sink deeply. You will know what timeline works best for your children and for you!

I also think it is helpful to periodically review the scriptural verses with the affirmation. We do not review the scripture along with the associated affirmation each night, but reviewing the scripture at least occasionally is important, and along with the scripture, it is important to discuss its practical application. For example, when we say “Daily I am a new creature through Christ,” that each day we start clean and new! If yesterday was a tough day, today doesn’t need to be because it’s new!

I am a beloved son (daughter) of Heavenly Father.

(Romans 8:16) The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.

I have a future filled with hope.

(Jeremiah 29:11) For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

(Alma 32:21) And now as I said concerning faith—faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true.

I will put on the full armor of God everyday.

(Ephesians 6:10-18) Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.

I have peace that surpasses all understanding.

(Phillipians 4:6-8) Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

I have everything I need to flourish.

(2 Peter 1:3-8) According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;

And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;

And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.

For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I am strong and courageous.

(Deuteronomy 31:6) Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

I am more than a conqueror.

(Romans 8:37-39) Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Daily I am a new creature through Christ.

(2 Corinthians 5:17) Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

I represent the light of Christ, and I shine wherever I go.

(Matthew 5:13-16) Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

I extend love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, and faith.

Galatians 5:22-23) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

No matter what challenges I face, the glory of God will be revealed through my life.

(Romans 8:18) For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

(Phillipians 1:6) Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.

God is intentional with my life. All things are working together for my best good.

(Romans 8:28) And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Fear does not hold me captive.

(2 Timothy 1:7) For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

All things are possible because I believe.

(Mark 9:23) Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.