The Spiritual Antidote to Self-Criticism

As humans, we have about 6,200 thoughts per day, and 80% of these thoughts are negative. The good news is that we don’t have to become mentalists in order to overcome the suffocating nature of self-criticism.  

When pride comes [boiling up with an arrogant attitude of self-importance], then come dishonor and shame, But with the humble [the teachable who have been chiseled by trial and who have learned to walk humbly with God] there is wisdom and soundness of mind.

Proverbs 11:2 AMP

God, through the Bible teaches us the solution to self-criticism is through having a learner’s heart! Check out this video devotional to learn more about how to have a learner’s heart that defeats self-critical thoughts.

References

• Sign up for the 12 Days of Jesus course
• 6,200 thoughts per day (Queen’s Gazette) 
• 80% of our thoughts are negative (Queens University) 
• 95% of our thoughts are repeating themselves day after day (Queens University) 

My dear children, let’s not just talk about love; let’s practice real love. This is the only way we’ll know we’re living truly, living in God’s reality. It’s also the way to shut down debilitating self-criticism, even when there is something to it. For God is greater than our worried hearts and knows more about us than we do ourselves. And friends, once that’s taken care of and we’re no longer accusing or condemning ourselves, we’re bold and free before God! We’re able to stretch our hands out and receive what we asked for because we’re doing what he said, doing what pleases him.

1 John 3:18-22 MSG

Simon, Simon, how Satan has pursued you, that he might make you part of his harvest. [32] But I have prayed for you. I have prayed that your faith will hold firm and that you will recover from your failure and become a source of strength for your brothers here.

Luke 22:31-32 Voice

When pride comes [boiling up with an arrogant attitude of self-importance], then come dishonor and shame, But with the humble [the teachable who have been chiseled by trial and who have learned to walk humbly with God] there is wisdom and soundness of mind.

Proverbs 11:2 AMP

From Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ. To everyone who shares with us in the privilege of believing that our God and Savior Jesus Christ will do what is just and fair. [2] I pray that God will be kind to you and will let you live in perfect peace! May you keep learning more and more about God and our Lord Jesus. [3] We have everything we need to live a life that pleases God. It was all given to us by God’s own power, when we learned that he had invited us to share in his wonderful goodness.

2 Peter 1:1-3 CEV

[8] If you keep growing in this way, it will show that what you know about our Lord Jesus Christ has made your lives useful and meaningful. [9] But if you don’t grow, you are like someone who is nearsighted or blind, and you have forgotten that your past sins are forgiven.

2 Peter 1:8-9 CEV