Have you ever noticed how hard you are on yourself? That inner voice can be relentless, can’t it? It tells you you’re not enough, that you’re broken, that you’ll never measure up. But here’s the thing: You don’t have to live with that voice running the show.
What if you started parenting yourself the way a loving parent would? What if, instead of criticism, you offered yourself encouragement? What if, instead of judgment, you gave yourself grace? Imagine saying to yourself, “I see you. I hear you. You’re doing a great job, and I’m proud of you. You’ve got this.”
And here’s the deeper truth: Even when we struggle to speak kindly to ourselves, God is already doing it for us. He’s the perfect parent, the one who sees us fully and loves us completely. In Isaiah 41:10, He says, “Do not fear, for I am with you, do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
And in Zephaniah 3:17, we’re reminded: “The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you, in His love He will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” Can you imagine that? God rejoices over you. He delights in you.
This week, I challenge you to try this:
- Catch the Critic. Notice when your inner voice turns negative.
- Pause and Reframe. Ask yourself, ‘What would a loving parent say to me right now?’
- Speak Life. Replace the criticism with encouragement. Say it out loud if you can.
- Make space for the perfect Father to speak.
You’re not broken. You’re His. And He’s calling you to see yourself the way He does—with love, patience, and grace.
You’ve got this.