In Hamlet Shakespeare asked the most famous question in all literature: “To be or not to be?” The answer to that and to all of our questions lies in the first person present tense of to be: I AM.
When God appeared to Moses in the burning bush and told him to deliver the Israelites out of their bondage in Egypt, Moses asked God, “Who exactly am I supposed to say sent me? What’s your name?” God answered, “I AM. You tell the children of Israel that I AM sent you to them.” (Exodus 3:11-15).
Once “I AM” became the name of God, the Jews stopped saying “I AM” aloud out of reverence to God. Jesus was the one who brought “I AM” back to the Jews and to the entire world. Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” I AM is the Way. I AM is God. Jesus confirmed this and said all we need to do is believe. When we believe I AM, we can do everything Jesus did and more. (John 14:6-12).
I AM unified Jesus with God and unifies each of us with the power of God. I AM means I am one with the creative power of God. I am one with the creative power of Life. I am one with the creative power of the Universe.
If you say I AM and concentrate on positive things, you will create positive experiences in your life. I am safe. I am healthy. I am prosperous. I am loved. Unfortunately, fear and pain keep many of us focused on negative things. If you believe you are sick or unworthy or destined to fail, you are. How can you look beyond present fears and pain to create positive results in your life? By using affirmations.
Affirmations are short, clear statements of your desired goal designed to make positive changes in your conscious and subconscious mind. By articulating exactly what it is that you wish to become, without worrying about how you can or will accomplish it, your mind begins doing the work for you. As your mind becomes increasingly committed to your goal, it will find ways to accomplish or fulfill the goal for you.
Because you're focusing on changing yourself, when you’re just starting it’s good to begin your affirmations with "I...." Affirmations must be completely positive, with no negative words or ideas (i.e., no, not, stop, refrain). They must also be written in the present tense: “I am strong.” If you write your affirmation in the future tense, “I will be strong,” that keeps the strength you want out in the future instead of bringing it into your present being.
For those of you who’ve read The Prayer of Jabez by Bruce Wilkinson, that prayer is like an affirmation: “Oh that you would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that your hand would be with me and keep me from evil that I may not cause pain.” (I Chronicles 4:9-10). The power of that prayer is truly released by changing the form from a request to affirmations:
1. I am blessed indeed.
2. I am growing and prospering.
3. God’s hand is with me guiding me and keeping me safe.
4. I am a blessing to others.
Whatever it is you need, whatever it is you want, put it in the form of an affirmation. Tape it to your bathroom mirror and read it every time you brush your teeth. Tape it to your dashboard and read it every time you’re stopped in traffic. Do this for at least 30 days. What have you got to lose?
If you need help writing effective affirmations, please e-mail me at Laurie@SocraticParenting.com.
Laurie Gray earned her B.A. from Goshen College (Goshen, IN) in 1986 and her J.D. from Indiana University School of Law (Bloomington, IN) in 1993. From 1986-1990 Laurie taught Spanish and coached girls basketball and volleyball at Whitko High School (South Whitley, IN), working summers as an interpreter in Guatemala. After seven years in private practice, Laurie joined the Allen County Prosecutor’s Office focusing on felony sex crimes and the Child Advocacy Center. An experienced trial attorney, Laurie is currently a part-time Deputy Prosecutor assigned to the Drug Court Intervention Program and Juvenile Sex Crimes. For information on Laurie’s writing projects, please visit www.SocraticParenting.com and www.TokenofChange.com.