I was listening to a short devotional about the need for positive self-talk. One of the verses used as an example was Psalm 42:5: “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.”

If we read the rest of the same Psalm, it is interesting to see that David is quite negative in his complaints when he is talking directly to God, but when he addresses himself, it’s like he’s giving himself a pep talk. David was not repressing his feelings, but rather than wallowing in them, he turned them into a prayer.

Directing thoughts and feelings in a positive manner is something that many people can get confused about, as trying to think positively when we feel negative can feel contrived or fake. Actually, it can be more a matter of self-discipline and willpower, once we realize that allowing our feelings to control our conscious thoughts can be detrimental or at least discouraging.

Yes, we need self-discipline. But being a Christian and trusting in God doesn’t mean we have to repress our feelings; rather we can redirect them by surrendering them to God. Once we have done that, we have to do the work of speaking positively and hopefully to ourselves.

One way to do this is to practice Christian meditation. Often when people hear the word meditation, it brings to mind Eastern meditation, which is a conscious emptying of the mind. But Christian meditation is the opposite; we are instructed to fill our minds and focus on God’s Word. “Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day” (Psalm 119:97). “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success” (Joshua 1:8).

Here are a few of my favorite meditations on scriptures:

  • I seek the Lord, and I do not lack any good thing (Psalm 34:10).
  • The Lord is good, and His mercy is everlasting (Psalm 100:5).
  • God is restoring health unto me and healing all my wounds (Jeremiah 30:17).
  • God heals my broken heart and binds up my wounds (Psalm 147:3).
  • God is great and abundant in power (Psalm 147:5).