“…whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely…, think on these things.” (Philippians 4:8.)”
Life is full of challenges. An old adage says that things occur in threes. Sometimes it feels like negative situations are occurring in fours, fives, sixes, and even more until it feels like they out-weigh the positive situations. I’ve also noticed that the mind can magnify the negative situations and downplay the positive situations. I remember being told that the mind rules the body, not the other way around. Keeping that thought in mind, if your mind is full of positive and motivating information, then it doesn’t leave much room for the negative.
I recall a college assignment when I had to find and prepare a list of affirmations. Before beginning the assignment, I had to find the definition of an affirmation because I had no clue. An affirmation is emotional support or encouragement as defined in Philippians 4:8. This emotional support then becomes your foundation when faced with adversity. Philippians 4:13 goes on to remind us that we can do all things through Christ Jesus.
As with any foundation, it must be built before there is a need. For example, when building a house, the foundation must be laid before the house is built. We cannot build the house first and then lay the foundation. The same thing holds true with affirmations. They must be laid in your spirit before there is a need for them. More recently, when I was going through a serious illness, I was given a box of hope that contained affirmations, three of which I’ve shared below.
“I see the beauty of every moment.”
“I am grateful for supportive family and friends.”
“Every day is a new opportunity.”
These affirmations and others helped me tremendously and they continue to help me. Do you have any affirmations that have helped you when you were going through? Would you like to share them in the comments below? You’ll never know who it may help.
By Lorraine Castle
Rev. Cynthia Jackson is the administrator of the Rhema4U Blog and Innovations Ministries Director. Rev. Jackson is a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was licensed and ordained under the tutelage of Bishop David G. Evans. She is an associate minister at Bethany Baptist Church located in Lindenwold, New Jersey. Rev. Jackson founded Innovations Ministries in 2001. Innovations Ministries provides dynamic and innovative programs and services for individuals and families dealing with various health-related issues. She is a gifted teacher, preacher, conference speaker and writer. God has anointed Rev. Jackson to be a spiritual midwife with a passion to empower others to birth God's vision for their lives. Rev. Jackson holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Organizational Management from Eastern University, a Master of Science Degree in Health Administration from Saint Joseph's University and a Master of Science Degree in Christian Counseling from Cairn University.
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