Back Talk

One of my greatest passions is speaking to students and helping them think about their future. I want to help them understand, early in life, how their decisions now will impact their future. They need to develop goals, and then develop plans to achieve those goals. It’s something I missed out on in that stage of life, so in some ways I see it as the next best thing to being able to go back in time and talk to my younger self.

Interestingly enough, a few years ago a therapist asked me, “what would you say to your younger self?” I didn’t take it very seriously until he pressed in deeper with, “think about some of the most painful seasons you had growing up. What affirmations did that boy need to hear at that time that he didn’t get?”

Eventually it clicked. The reason I focus so much on motivating teens is because I know how strong the connections are between childhood events and adulthood. The wounds and voids we develop stay with us unless we do something about it.

Because of this, I developed a list of affirmations, that I missed out on early in life, that I still need now. I go through the exercise of telling my younger self what I should have heard then expressing the affirmation for myself today. They are:

• You are valuable – I am worthy of respect and love because I am made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27).
• You have purpose – I am unique. I was made with careful attention by God (Psalm 139:14). I have something meaningful to offer this world.
• God loves you – God has proven His love for me by sending His Son to die for my sins (Romans 5:8).

Questions for today?

• So, what do you need to hear?
• What did you miss out on that you still need to receive today?

God has it. Don’t ignore it. Don’t overcompensate in other areas.

Trust God. Seek Him. Be Affirmed in Christ.