As we venture into the New Year, you may be compiling a list of New Year’s Resolutions. Some are drawn to the concept of daily affirmations. Daily affirmations are statements that you speak aloud to yourself, for the purposes of improving confidence or shifting into a positive mindset. Some people even use this practice in an attempt to speak matters into existence (AKA manifestation). However, the practice of manifestation is not of God. The spoken word is very powerful, to the point of “death and life” (Proverbs 18:21). We must be responsible with it. For “everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken.” (Matthew 12:36). So, let’s not speak empty words, but let the word of God guide our thoughts and words. Why not use Bible verses as daily affirmations?
We know that the word of God is “alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12). While our own words can help our mindset a little, there is real power in the word of God. Bible verses are the perfect choice for daily affirmations. Check out the verses below that can be used as affirmations for whatever may be on your mind this season. Anxiety, depression, healing, forgiveness—the Bible has answers for it all.
Anxiety
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7)
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)
Strength
“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40:29-31)
“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)
Depression/Despair
“I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” (Psalm 27:13)
“He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.” (Psalm 40:2)
“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, you for are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4)
Loneliness
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18)
“A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families, he leads out the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.” (Psalm 68:5-6)
“No longer do I call you servant, for the servant doesn’t know what his lord does. But I have called you friends, for everything that I heard from my Father, I have made known to you.” (John 15:15)
Protection
“I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you—the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” (Psalm 121)
“But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.” (2 Thessalonians 3:3)
“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.” (Psalm 91:14)
Healing
“Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.” (Jeremiah 17:14)
““He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” (1 Peter 2:24/Isaiah 53)
“But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,” declares the Lord—” (Jeremiah 30:17)
Forgiveness
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” (Luke 6:37)
““Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.” (Isaiah 1:18)
“Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever” but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.” (Micah 7:18-19)
How to Use Verses as affirmations
Remember to read the full chapters in the Bible where these verses are found at least once. The above verses are just tiny snippets of beautiful, powerful, and effective scripture on each topic. Choose a small handful of your favorite verses for whatever concept that you are hoping to improve. For example, I tend to struggle with anxiety, so I would love to allow God’s word to heal my anxious thoughts this year. Therefore, I am choosing the three verses above that help with anxiety. I am then going to memorize them and do my best to speak these verses out loud every day. Remember, “The tongue has the power of life and death” (Proverbs 18:21). As a daily reminder, I will post the verses in as many places as possible. Possible locations to post your verses:
- Refrigerator door
- Bathroom mirror
- Car dashboard
- Computer monitor or whiteboard at work or school
- The background/wallpaper of your cellphone or tablet
- Get creative with it!
I hope you found some helpful ideas for daily affirmations using Bible verses. I’m going to speak my verses out loud each day this coming year, and I believe that the power of God’s word will work effectively in my life. Let me know what affirmation verses you will use this year! If you are interested in reading more, check out New Year’s Resolutions (according to the Bible).
