About a year ago, when she first started saying some of these negative comments, I started to look for positive affirmations to help. These are just a few I have her (and my 4 year old) say out loud every morning on the way to school. Even if she thinks they are just words, and she doesn’t believe it yet, we are planting the seeds in her heart and mind to take root for the future.

• I am Patient, Calm, and Kind. I am Strong, Brave and Gracious. I am loved by God and my mom and dad.
  • “ But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control” ~ Galatians 5:22-23
• I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
  • Psalm 139:14
• I can do ALL things through Christ who gives my Strength.
  • Philippians 4:13
• For You have hidden Your Word in my heart, that I may not sin against you.
  • “For I have hidden my Word in your heart, that you may not sin against me.” ~ Psalm 119:11
• For God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
  • 2 Timothy 1:7
• I am quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.
  • “Let every person be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry” ~ James 1:19

We also have both of our girls say Psalms 23 at night before we go to bed. I know it’s usually a Psalm that is read at funerals, but over the summer we did a deep dive into the meaning of the words, and it totally changed how I see and understand the psalm. 

• “The Lord is my Shepherd; I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He guides me down the right path for His names’ sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for You are with me. Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table for me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil. My cup runs over. Surely Your goodness and mercy will follow my all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord, forever.”
  • “The Lord is my Shepherd; I lack nothing.”
    • My God takes care of me, just has a shepherd from ancient days carries the newborn lamb across his shoulders to keep him safe and secure. He gives me everything I need.
  • “He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He guides me down the right path for His names’ sake.”
    • God wants me to find rest in him. In the New Testament, Jesus even says, “take my yoke upon you, for my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” ~ Matthew 11:30. He wants our very souls to rest and rely on Him, because he will help us carry our load, no matter how inconsequential we feel it might be, nothing is too small for God.
  • “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for You are with me. Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me”.
    • When I am going through the hardest parts of my day, or the most difficult time of my life, God is there with me, walking with me, carrying me, protecting me and keeping me safe.
  • “You prepare a table for me in the presence of my enemies.”
    • In ancient times, a table was laid for those the host loved and trusted, regardless of what enemy might be waiting beyond the doors. This is a meaning of comfort and love, that He will take care of us no matter the circumstance because he loves us.
  • “You anoint my head with oil.”
    • To be anointed with oil on the head was to be blessed be God, and therefore kept close to Him at all times.
  • “My cup runs over.”
    • God has blessed me and given me everything I need, and more, so much more.
  • “Surely Your goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord, forever.”
    • God is love, and goodness and kindness and peace and mercy. There is nothing we can do to fall out of God’s love. Once we make the choice to walk with Him, He will hold us close, always, even if we fall away from the path, He is always there to bring us home again.

This is definitely a time in life when my 7 year old is learning that words can really build up, and they can also really hurt. My husband and I have been talking to our oldest about watching her words, and that her words have power. Here are some verses from Scripture that demonstrate the power of our words. I have some of these written down on a piece of paper, along with some other prayers and verses, and have it laminated, and my oldest daughter keeps it in her room and looks at it when she needs some extra encouragement. Sometimes, she even sleeps with it under her pillow (hopefully there’s some osmosis, Lol!)!

• May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.
  • Psalm 19:14 NLT
• Take control of what I say, O Lord, and guard my lips.
  • Psalm 141:3 NLT
• The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
  • Proverbs 12:18 NIV
• A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
  • Proverbs 15:1 NASB
• Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.
  • Proverbs 15:4 NLT
• The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking.
  • Proverbs 15:28 NLT
• Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
  • Proverbs 16:24 NIV
• The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
  • Proverbs 18:21 NIV
•  Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut, and you will stay out of trouble.
  • Proverbs 21:23 NLT
• When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness.
  • Proverbs 31:26 NLT
• “I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart. I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours.”
  • Mark 11:23 NLT
• Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
  • Ephesians 4:29 NIV
• And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right! 
  • James 3:10 NLT 
• If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies.
  • 1 Peter 3:10 NLT

Hopefully, these examples help you in guiding your little ones in bible-based and faith-based practices! It may not necessarily seem like they are listening, but trust me, their little brains are sponges, and I can’t tell you how many times I have been amazed to hear versions of these words come out of my daughter’s mouths when it’s least expected!

“May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.” ~ Numbers 6:24-26