What Are Your Soundbites?

When I think about memorable words, I think about great speeches.

I have a dream. Martin Luther King

We will fight them on the beaches. Winston Churchill

Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country. JFK

These are of course just snippets of much longer speeches, but they bring to mind the larger inspiring message that was being conveyed.

Today, such snippets have a new name - soundbites.

Soundbites are played on high rotation, the constant repetition enforcing them as reality. Politicians and public figures are acutely aware of their power, because just a few words or a single sentence taken out of context can become ‘truth’. Our lives have become seasoned with soundbites, and they are every bit as prevalent in our own personal stories as they are on television or social media.

Words spoken over us in our formative years often become ingrained like soundbites. Parenting writer Peggy O’Mara said that “the way we talk to our children becomes their inner voice”. We see this when so many come to Ellel Ministries struggling with derogatory labels they were given as children. The constant repetition makes it tough for anyone to shake these lies from their belief systems.

If negative words have been spoken over you, you can ask Jesus to bring His healing and speak His truth into your life.

Perhaps you could take some time where you won’t be interrupted. Sit with God and ask Him to bring to mind any soundbites you are believing about yourself that He does not agree with. Write them down. Tell God about the effect each has had on you. Ask Him to help you to forgive each person who spoke the lie and ask God to break its power over you. God may give you a scripture containing a truth from His word that you can read and hold on to, or write out and display somewhere you can’t miss. God’s Word to you will sow in some precious new soundbites to live by.