8 Challenging Times Where We Need to Speak God’s Truth to Ourselves

Maybe we’re struggling with a decision, or trying to choose the best path forward. When confusion comes, what should we tell ourselves? We need God’s truth to help us. We need wisdom from the Word, and in the proper fear of God. 

Perhaps we’re trying to solve a problem on our own. James tells us to “ask God” for His wisdom in our choices and needs (James 1:5). Proverbs 11:2 says wisdom comes with humility. We can humbly ask Jesus to share His wisdom with us, because Colossians 2:2-3 tells us “all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” are hidden in Him.

It’s never good to be hasty in decision-making, but if we have cultivated discernment, we can avoid lies and falsehood. When we trust God completely, not resting in our own understanding, we place ourselves in the position to cultivate discernment and “shun evil” (Proverbs 3:5-7). When we walk as “children of light,” we can learn to discern what pleases God (Ephesians 5:8-10). As we speak truth to ourselves, we begin to stay alert to the enemy — the father of lies — and his attempts to confuse us.

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God wants us to experience freedom in our walk with Him, and Scripture warns us about temptations that would rob us of that freedom. We need to tell ourselves the truth about temptation. The Bible expresses three ways we are tempted (1 John 2:15-17; Ephesians 2:2). The pull of the world system can lead to temptation, as can our sinful desires and the enemy of our soul.

The world entices us in three ways. The lust of the flesh is wanting to gratify our fallen nature’s cravings at the cost of what is good for our soul. Pornography and adultery are two examples. The lust of the eyes refers to sinful desires to possess things we see that appeal to us. We might covet money, possessions, or other material things. The pride of life includes all sorts of sinful desires that are self-focused, including bragging, manipulating others, arrogance, self-worship, and egotism.

The world system constantly feeds these sinful desires, but so does Satan. The enemy thought he was in control when he tempted Jesus, but the Son of God knew how to respond — directly, with God’s truth. It’s helpful to identify the source of our temptations so we’ll know how to speak and apply God’s Word to combat them and emerge victorious. A Bible concordance is helpful with this.

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When we’re overwhelmed in our circumstances, we need to remind ourselves of a few things about God. First, God cares! The Lord hears when His children cry out, overwhelmed by their troubles; He listens when they are discouraged, brokenhearted, or “crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:17-18). The Apostle Paul says God comforts us in all our troubles (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). He brings hope because He is hope (Romans 15:13). He brings peace that can supernaturally transcend any tough circumstance we face (John 14:27a).

Also, when we are overwhelmed or feeling desperate, we need God’s perspective on our situation. Our feelings may naturally fluctuate, but Colossians 3:2-3 tells us to focus our mind in the right place: “on things above.” When our thoughts are heavenward, they can be Father-filtered. Sometimes when we’re overwhelmed we simply need to “zoom out” to get a bigger vision of God and His plans for us. God loves to transform our trials into something beautiful, but it often requires a shift of our frustrated perspective to a biblical perspective.

We also need to remember God’s Providence. He intervenes in the universe that He created to care for His people. Believers belong to Him, and He governs everything, not only for His glory, but for His children’s good. His desire is to watch over us and protect us, give us purpose, and meet our needs. Sometimes what we need when we’re overwhelmed is simply to lean into our Sovereign God (trusting that He is working on our behalf), speak the truth, and obey anything He shows us.

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Which of us has not been physically weary or soul weary, desperately needing rest? Whether you’re on a pastoral team, a parent, or a busy office worker, God wants us to tell ourselves the truth about rest. 

Jesus told His disciples to “come away” from the crowds because He didn’t want them to fall apart with exhaustion in ministry. Because Jesus was the God-man, He understood the physical struggles we face. He knew we would need time to relax and recuperate. He is the source of rest, both spiritually and physically. In Matthew 11:28, Jesus invited the people who sought Him out to lay down their exhausting burdens, saying, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Salvation in Christ brings rest to the soul.

There is also a special rest that God has prepared for His own — those who rest from their works. And the Psalmist reminds us that God “gives to his beloved sleep (Psalm 127:2).” There are some seasons of life that are busier than others, but always, we should speak the truth about rest and seek the Lord’s direction, pacing ourselves accordingly.

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Everyone is afraid of something, and Christians are no exception. God wants us to take His words to heart when we are fearful or anxious, needing courage.

First, God promises His presence when we feel fearful or “dismayed” (Isaiah 41:10). David said to his son, Solomon, “Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you” (1 Chronicles 28:20). Remind yourself that God is always present in your scary circumstance.

Being courageous is a choice. God commanded Joshua to be strong and courageous, reminding him of His presence — but Joshua had to obey. The Psalmist said, “Be strong, and let your heart take courage” (Psalm 31:24). Paul told the Corinthian Christians, “Be on your guard, stand firm in the faith, be courageous, be strong” (1 Corinthians 16:13). 

Timothy wrote that God has not given us a spirit of fear, but rather power, love, and self-control. The truth is, God has provided what we need to conquer our fears — His power, His love for us, and His enabling through the Spirit to control our fearful emotions. A powerful verse to quote to ourselves when we’re afraid is Psalm 56:3: “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.”

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Anger, rising out of raw emotion, can be destructive; but we can speak the truth about anger to ourselves, and ask God to help us conquer sinful responses.

Giving in to fretful anger only leads to evil and more trouble. People with a hot temper often act foolishly. The Bible warns against “foolish and stupid arguments” that end up in quarrels; but  good sense teaches a person how to hold their tongue, and control their anger.

Being quick-tempered is no small thing! The Bible says it’s possible to be angry and not sin. There are legitimate reasons for expressing God-controlled anger, such as in taking a stand against sin or injustice. But we must be careful because prolonged anger gives an “opportunity to the devil.” James says we should be slow to anger because human anger “does not produce the righteousness that God desires (James 1:19-20). Paul said believers need to get rid of “bitterness, rage and anger,” and replace them with kindness, compassion, and forgiveness (Ephesians 4:31-32). The Holy Spirit gives peace and self-control rather than a quarrelsome spirit. We must tell ourselves the truth about anger, and train ourselves to respond to life’s challenges with patience and grace.

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When we feel lonely, the greatest truth we can speak to ourselves is the promise of God’s presence. Jesus said, “I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20). He told His disciples He would not leave them like orphans, but would send “another advocate” to be with them forever — the Spirit of truth (John 14:16-18). When you feel lonely, rest in truth that you’re never left alone, never forsaken (Deuteronomy 31:6b).

That said, God knows we need human companionship too. He did not create us to do life alone. While God calls some people to remain single, He said it was not good for Adam to be alone (Genesis 2:18). Many Bible characters were unmarried or remained unmarried for much of their lives, including Jesus. Singleness may stir up some tough feelings, but singles need never despair. In their loneliness, they can still make positive, biblical choices for companionship.

Perhaps a loved one is no longer with us, or is far away. God knows that we all crave flesh-and-blood love and appreciation. He designed the family of God to help us to build solid, godly “brother and sister” friendships where we can practice all the “one anothers” of Scripture. Remember God’s presence and take the first step to cultivate godly friends: be a friend.

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When we suffer or when we grieve, we need the solid truth of Scripture to help us cope. We need to repeat truth statements to ourselves until we develop greater faith, endurance, and perseverance through our suffering. An eternal perspective helps us respond in godly ways.

Sometimes the way we speak comforting, victorious truth to ourselves is through a song. Paul and Silas prayed and sang in prison, and unnamed apostles who were flogged rejoiced that they were “counted worthy of suffering” for Jesus. They all chose to rest on God’s promises and rejoice in His Word in spite of their circumstance. Matthew says we should “rejoice and be glad” when we are persecuted or poorly treated for Jesus’ sake. Why? Our reward is great in heaven.

Paul said, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4). Paul wanted the believers in the Thessalonian church to live in light of eternity, and in the middle of a list of ways to do that, he exhorted them to rejoice. Also, remembering that this is not the Christian’s final home helps us respond in ways that the world might find strange: singing, rejoicing, and praising God in the midst of trials, pain, and grief. Because of this, James says we can consider it “pure joy” when we face trials of many kinds. 

Romans 5:3 says we can even “glory” in our sufferings because God uses it to build our character and hope in Him. Our present sufferings cannot compare with the glory that will be revealed in us. We might not understand how to rejoice in the moment of suffering, but when we keep on speaking the true Word of God to our hurting hearts, the Holy Spirit will eventually bring lasting comfort, peace, and joy.

This list is not comprehensive. There are many other times we need to speak God’s truth to ourselves: when we’re discontent, lacking faith, felling ungrateful, lacking in joy, struggling to worship, and much more. The point is, if we want to grow spiritually — and if we want to control our mind, emotions, and will — we will study the Bible, discover its truths about God and life, and speak these truths to ourselves continually.

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