Speak Life: How Your Words Change Your Brain
Jun 29, 2024![](https://kajabi-storefronts-production.kajabi-cdn.com/kajabi-storefronts-production/file-uploads/blogs/2147641806/images/5d78c34-e520-d2-645c-1e21ad1cc687_Blog1.png)
Your Words Matter.
Words hold the power to shape your thoughts, influence your emotions, and as you will soon see, rewire your brain.
As high-achieving Christian women facing the challenges of anxiety along with a list of symptoms and sensitivities, you might feel stuck in your struggle. But there’s something powerful you can do right now to start moving the needle.
Let’s explore the amazing connection between the words you speak and your physical, emotional, and spiritual health, and see how this insight might be the key to your breakthrough. We’ll dive into how faith and science come together to reveal the incredible power of your words and show you how you can use them to transform your brain and reverse anxiety.
I’ll share practical examples and easy steps to help you apply intention and faith to your language choices. This is your chance to discover how speaking life into your mind, body, and spirit can lead to real, lasting change. It’s time to embrace this powerful God given weapon to move from anxiety and overwhelm to a place of peace and heath.
The Power of Your Words:
What God Has to Say!
Genesis 1:3 - "Then God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light."
In the beginning, God spoke, and the universe came into existence. "Let there be light," He said, and there was light. The very act of creation itself was initiated by the spoken word, setting a profound precedent for the power of our words. As Christians, we are not only inheritors of this divine creation but also stewards of the tremendous potential that our words hold.
The Creative Force of Words:
Words have creative power. God's spoken word brought the world into existence, emphasizing the tremendous impact our words can have on our surroundings and our lives. As we will see in the following verses, our words have the potential to build up or tear down and it is in our best interest to use them wisely.
The Destructive Tongue:
Proverbs 18:21 - "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits."
Harsh, hurtful, or negative words cause profound emotional pain and damage to ourselves and others. These words reinforce negative thought patterns, which often occur unconsciously, increasing stress, anxiety, and emotional turmoil that ultimately impacts our mental and physical health.
The Healing Tongue:
Proverbs 12:18 - "There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing."
Proverbs 16:24 - "Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones"
On the other hand, our words possess the capacity to heal. When we speak words of life over ourselves and others, we activate positive neural pathways in the brain, similar to watering and nurturing a plant. This positive reinforcement encourages the growth of healthy thought patterns, reducing stress and anxiety, and fostering emotional resilience, which improves our overall mental and physical health.
Faith-Infused Affirmations
Begin regularly speaking faith-infused scriptural affirmations over yourself and others and just see what happens. Here are just a few to get you started.
Write them out and post them where you can see and resight them often, and like you mean it!
I am strong and courageous! (Joshua 1:9)
I am delivered from all my fears! (Psalm 34:4)
I have the mind of Christ (1Cor. 2:16)
By His stripes I am healed! (Isaiah 53:5)
Surely, His goodness and mercy follow me all the days of my life
(Psalm 23:6)
His banner over me is love! (SOS 2:4)
Jesus came that I might have an abundant life! (John 10:10)
**Your words are more than mere utterances; they are powerful instruments of transformation. Through faith and intention, you can speak life into your mind, body, and spirit.**
What Science Says!
(God Created Science!)
The Power of Faith-Infused Words
The power of faith-filled words on the brain is a topic that combines both spiritual beliefs and scientific understanding. From a Christian perspective, faith-filled words are powerful weapons for healing and transformation. Here's an explanation of their impact on the brain:
1. Activation of Reward Pathways
When you speak faith-filled words, you activate the brain’s reward pathways, which involve the release of neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin.
- How It Works: These neurotransmitters are associated with pleasure and reward. Dopamine, often called the “motivation molecule,” enhances feelings of joy and satisfaction, while serotonin helps regulate mood and emotional stability.
- Brain Structure Changes: This activation strengthens the brain’s reward circuits, including areas like the nucleus accumbens and the ventral tegmental area. Over time, this leads to a more positive emotional baseline and improved resilience against stress.
2. Reduction of Stress Hormones
Faith-filled words can lower the production of stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline.
- How It Works: By focusing on positive affirmations and spiritual truths, you can activate the brain’s parasympathetic nervous system, which counters the stress response. This system, controlled by the vagus nerve, promotes a state of calm and relaxation.
- Brain Structure Changes: This reduction in stress hormones helps to maintain or restore healthy function in the amygdala (the brain’s fear center) and the prefrontal cortex (responsible for decision-making and emotional regulation). Consistent practice will lead to a less reactive amygdala and a more balanced stress response.
3. Creation of Positive Neural Pathways
Consistently speaking faith-filled words helps to form and strengthen positive neural pathways in the brain.
- How It Works: Repeatedly engaging in positive self-talk and affirmations rewires the brain by creating new neural connections. This process, known as neuroplasticity, involves the growth of new synapses and the strengthening of existing pathways that support positive thought patterns.
- Brain Structure Changes: Over time, this practice increases the density of gray matter in regions associated with positive emotions and resilience, such as the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex. It also helps to diminish the strength of negative neural pathways associated with anxiety and self-doubt.
Action Steps
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Become Aware: Pay attention to your daily self-talk and the words you use with others. Notice when you fall into negative or self-limiting statements.
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Shift Your Approach: Intentionally replace any negative or self-limiting words with positive, faith-filled affirmations.
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Explore Solutions: If you're eager to learn how to harness the power of biblical truths and brain science to reverse anxiety and feel like yourself again, only better, I invite you to watch the Anxiety Rewired Training Video.
Speak Life,
Angel