I had had been reading about affirmations and started using them. I started having success with them and was pleasantly surprised. But then I began to worry. Was this what God wanted me to do, I wondered.
I had been raised in the Christian faith, and many times that was the question that was asked of the congregation. And many times, after the sermon or class, I asked the question back to the speaker, whoever they happened to be at that time; how do I know if it's what God wants me to do.
The response was often the same, "Look it up in the Bible." But my inquisitive mind inside argued, God doesn't always give the same kind of response. Sometimes you're supposed to be bold and courageous, and other times, humble and even meek.
So when this question started popping up in my adult mind, I headed to the book store in search of answers.
I decided to go over to the inspirational section near the religious area, instead of the general personal growth section. I came upon a book about someone that had used the Book of Proverbs from the Bible, to turn their life around. The person had used Proverbs as a resource for five years before publishing his experience into a book.
I was contemplating buying it, and then wondered if I really should. My inner voice told me that I needed to come up with my own (interpretations).
So I went home intent on reading the book of Proverbs.
Woah! They were not at all what I expected. Yes, I had heard some verses from Provebs before, but had never read the whole book of them before. Interspersed with the positive instruction was a lot of fear based statements, and threats of what could go wrong or happen to a person who strayed from the "correct" way. I was floored, shocked, and dismayed. I needed to have something loving.
If they were going to work for me, I needed to get rid of the fear based part and turn the verses into positive affirmations.
I started with each verse, removing the threats, and writing the verse into an affirmation. I got so far, and it was quite exasperating at times. I picked up my pamplet from Silent Unity and read a page from it. Wow, that was such a nice verse. Wow, it was from Proverbs! I didn't recall that verse sounding so good in the bible that I was using. So I compared the verses, side by side. Just a few words were changed, but it made all the difference, between being heartwarming, and being fear based.
I then selected three bibles to work from. One was a children's bible. I figured that one should be pretty kind. I picked the bible that was given to me and my husband when we got married. I also had another bible around and used that one. I actually threw away the first bible I was using. I totally needed a different cup of tea.
I had thought I could get my book done in maybe a week or two. It actually took me months to get the first draft done, and a number of years to finish the book. I did many tweaks along the way.
My task at hand was very much like the verse in Proverbs 25:4, about the artist taking the impurities out of silver to create a thing of beauty. That is what it felt like, that I had to remove the impurities first, so that I could create a thing of beauty.
Nevertheless, I got it done, and I as very happy with the affirmations that I came up with.
Was it the perfect book?
I had thought and had hoped that it was going to be an end all book, you know, the one and only last self help book that anyone would need to read to move beyond any fear based religion that they might have grown up with. But it wasn't.
However, it did turn out to be a great transition book that helped me to get to know God in a new way.
If this rings true to you, then I invite you to order your copy of Proverbs as Affirmations today. The highlighted text links below the picture will take you to Amazon.
There is a journal version (8-1/2 by 11 inches, pictured on the right), which includes lines to write the affirmations for added reinforcement, or the portable smaller version (6 by 9 inches, pictured on the left), without lines, which is easier to carry.
Much blessings to you on your journey.
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Cheryl Paton
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