Deny

Deny: to declare a statement to be untrue; to reject as false; to withhold; to refuse to fulfil the expectations of; to refuse to acknowledge; disown; to refuse (oneself) things desired.

I am a big believer in the power of words. The words spoken over our life and the words that we speak to ourselves have power to hurt, harm, heal or help. But I also think there is a place to examine the words we deny.

Are you good with compliments?

When someone gives you a compliment what do you say? Do you accept it gracefully, and say thank you? Do you try to turn it back on the giver, “honestly you are so much better at that than me”? Do you totally reject it, “Oh no, if you really knew me”.

Do you deny yourself the right to be complimented and others the right to give them?

In the everyday ins and outs of conversation it is easy to fall into patterns that are in fact unhealthy. Where you cannot accept any good thing said about yourself, and you are constantly apologising for who you are.

There are a many things that should be rejected as false. Untruths said about you, lies spoken over you that you have taken on-board for years. But in all of that have you also forgotten to take on the good stuff?

Have you such little faith in your friends that when they compliment you, you don’t let it in? Have you such little belief in yourself?

Do you not know, have you not heard? You are valuable, you are beautiful, you are loved, you are precious, you are worthy of compliments. (Psalm 139)

Stop the pattern of denial and deflection. Let the compliments in. It will be uncomfortable at first. But it is worth it and so are you.

Jodie

PS – I am joining with Amanda Viviers and her #inspire15 words for the month of April. Today’s word was Deny, check out the prompts for the rest of the month here.