It is okay to talk to yourself, but be careful what you say.

The world at large is in a mess. We as isolated, chronically ill, and disabled people face insurmountable challenges daily. It can seem to be too much. It seems that isolation can allow us to focus on one thing, typically the bad. It is easy to get “stuck.” (I thought it was just me until I spoke with many of you. It is a common thread through this life of isolation.)

In Ephesians 5, Paul is teaching Christians how to handle things from the perspective of the spiritual life instead of the flesh. He has instructions for us in verses 19-20 regarding how to handle the overwhelmed challenges.

Ephesians 5:19-20, “¹⁹ Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; ²⁰ Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;”

There is a way to handle this in a godly way through the power of His Spirit: talk to yourself. However, be very careful what you say:

• Speak Scripture to yourselves.
• Sing hymns and spiritual songs to yourself.

Then, we talk to God:

• Make melody in your heart to the Lord. (You don’t have to be stage-worthy. He appreciates the joyful noise!)
• Give thanks for all things unto God and the Father, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Are you stuck today? Talk to yourself as instructed in these verses!