A happy and fulfilling New Year will significantly depend on our words, whether it’s 2023 or not. For this year and on, I have chosen to speak several words over myself every day to keep me focused and help guide me in fulfilling God’s Purpose as I continue to travel on my journey.
Because I know how important and influential the words we speak are, I carefully watch what I say, especially to and about myself. So, the other morning as I was saying one of my morning affirmations, “I’m blessed,” I thought, how can I make that declaration more meaningful to me?
As I thought about the word blessed, I remembered that I said this year I intended to be less hesitant about stepping out of my comfort zones, to be Bolder. And that’s how this word and several others have become part of my daily decrees, which happens to spell “B.L.E.S.S.E.D!”
BOLDNESS = TRUST
Boldness = willingness to take risks and act innovatively; confidence or courage
I do not consider myself a person with a lot of Boldness, especially when it may take me out of my area of familiarity, i.e., comfort zone. But to keep moving forward and pursue what God has put in my heart, I must be willing to step into unfamiliar places and people. And I will take the courage to do it; I will step out in Boldness with my Trust in God. (Joshua 1:9)
LISTENER = WISDOM
Good Listener = someone who listens carefully, attentively, and sympathetically
Becoming a good Listener and more effective will require me to be patient while listening by being quiet in my head and with my mouth, not to be fixated on what I’m going to say next. I will listen without judgment and criticism, even if I disagree! I know this will give my inner ears time to hear Wisdom and my heart to understanding. (Prov.18:13)
EXPECTANT = HOPEFULNESS
Expectant = connotes eagerness or anticipation; one who is looking forward to something
I received a simple but powerful quote a couple of years ago: “Faith prepares for what it expects.” I intend to be more excited about EXPECTING God’s outcome. I will not stop preparing for that outcome, regardless of delays or difficulties. I will remain hopeful with faith in God as my tool and anchor. (Ps. 130:5)
SECURE = CALMNESS
Secure = fixed or fastened so as not to give way, become loose, or be lost
Being secure is about trust because it’s the only way to have calmness or peace about what you’re doing or where you’re going. Even when the situation or the outcome seems uncertain, I will not be fearful but composed because I know I have an assurance that God’s firm Hand is holding me. (Isa. 41:10)
STILL = RELAXATION
Still = free from noise or deep silence and calm
As an analytical and systematic thinker, I find it hard to shut my mind off. Sometimes I need to stop thinking, to simply still my mind. Overthinking is exhausting, so I will do more enjoyable things consistently and frequently (even five-minute ones) that will rest and relax my mind. (Ps. 131:12)
EASY-GOING = PATIENCE
Easy-going = relaxed in manner or attitude
I would love to say I’m even-tempered and easy-going, but I’m not because I can lean too far in taking myself too seriously. This probably happens because of “overthinking!” Therefore, I will laugh at myself more, stop comparisons, stop putting undue pressure on myself, be more patient, and engage more with others. (Prov. 17:27)
DECISIVE = STEADINESS
Decisive = able to make decisions quickly and confidently or showing this quality
As I was thinking about this word and looked over my list of other affirming words, I found that being decisive will be easier because these positive words are at work in me! Thereby giving me the confidence to make decisions without being unsteady. (Jas. 1:8)
Since writing this post, every time I say the word BLESSED, I can see my affirmations, encouraging me to speak them, which keeps my goals alive!
“I am Bold, a good Listener, Expectant, Secure, Still, Even-tempered, and Decisive!”
I am BLESSED!
Just as I have been creative in using a different way to remind and help me speak what I want to see in 2023, I encourage you to be creative. Establish a simple method to help you remember why you’re saying your affirmation and extract as much as possible from it. Words help guide you, empower you, and build you up. The words we speak can be life or death. Our words are important.
Thank you for traveling along my journey with me, and may God Bless you and your family with Wisdom and every provision.
Sincerely,
Jacqui
