Affirmations

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Hey everyone. I have been reading about how affirmations can help you to overcome issues like low self-esteem and such. Basically what I mean by an affirmation is when you say to yourself something like “I am at peace.” and you actually believe it in your heart or at least you try to. Well, I am wondering, is this a moral practice? Is it pride? Is it New Age? I want to make sure it is okay to do before I do it.
 
I learned about affirmations while on a guided retreat.
Very often we look at the negatives in our lives. Affirmations are a way of looking at the positive.
 
Affirmations are nothing more than New Age practices which may involve repeating such self empowering phrases as “I like myself” or “I’m worth it”. While repeating these phrases seems harmless enough, the truth is that these affirmations rely on the self as the power source rather than on almighty God, who is the source of ALL power. God is the only one who can create something out of nothing and without Him, the world and man would cease to exist.

The danger of being involved in something as innocent as affirmations is that it can potentially open the door to other New Age practices like astrology and witchcraft. What appears to be genuine “self help” or “self motivating” practices are in actuality tools of the devil which shift the emphasis away from God our creator to “the god within”. In the bible, God warns repeatedly against such practices but unfortunately, even good, well meaning individuals have unknowingly opened the door to the occult.

We should turn to Jesus and to scripture instead for help. The bible says, “I can do all things in Christ .” It is better to stand on Jesus’ strength than to rely on our own human weakness.

God Rocks
 
Holly3278 said:
Hey everyone. I have been reading about how affirmations can help you to overcome issues like low self-esteem and such. Basically what I mean by an affirmation is when you say to yourself something like “I am at peace.” and you actually believe it in your heart or at least you try to. Well, I am wondering, is this a moral practice? Is it pride? Is it New Age? I want to make sure it is okay to do before I do it.
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I use one, but only to invoke the Divine. I would never say “I am worth it.” I suppose it’s new age by others’ definition. Mine is a short affirmation invoking Divine Order.

Depending on a person’s level of maturity, faith and discernment, they are positive and should not lead one into apostasy. I might not recommend them for someone who might be led astray or too young to discern. However, I use them to supplement Catholic prayer when done properly and with the correct intent.

I can’t tell you to use them or not. You must discern the difference between being led astray and supplementing Catholic prayer with affirmation. Never should they lead to other practices.

You might bring it up with a priest or confessor.
 
In themselves, I don’t think they are bad. As others have noted, you will have to discern their purpose for you.

I have used them in the past when my faith was not as strong. Now, in my prayers, I remind myself that God loves me and that I love Him and trust Him. There is no need for affirmations anymore as I have an acceptance and peace that what is happening in my life is His will and that He has a plan for me, and I trust in His wisdom.

So I guess what I’m trying to say that although they may not be harmful, prayer and reliance on God’s love and mercy for you may be more beneficial - in my humble opinion - and thus affirmations as they’re traditionally practiced may be unnecessary and as another mentioned, MAY be harmful if it draws you away from God.

As a sidebar, I had a lot of struggles when first “reverting” because I was into a lot of the mental “positive” thinking tools and motivational stuff that is often seen in business and sales literature. I tried to seek happiness in business success and achievement, as opposed to doing the will of God. I reflected on this often and even though things externally were going well in my life - fitness, business, friendships, family - there was an emptiness. I was a practicing Catholic, but I was still seeking the things of this world. Once I accepted Jesus as my *Lord *and Savior (I notice people love the savior part, but forget the Lord part) and truly gave (giving) my life up to God, I started to truly experience joy in my life.

I started to see my “worldly” life as serving him. My business as serving those who were my clients - as opposed to just “acquiring” clients to increase my income. My role as a father and husband to love my children, but more importantly, to help lead and guide them to get to Heaven, as I am trying to do as well. I gave up some of my hobbies because I found they drew me away from God. I might be a little extreme at the moment, but this is what my faith has led me to.

In any case, I ramble a bit (forgive me). I guess to get back to affirmations, perhaps your lack of confidence (or whatever you wish to overcome through affirmations) may be better overcome by truly giving your life to God and trusting in His plan for your life.

I hope this is helpful.

God bless you.
 
I would make use rather of “short prayers”

Jesus I hope in you

Thanks be to God

Thank you Lord Jesus for giving me true life

etc

(Not that I personally really embrace “self esteem” as a concept…rather I would say one wants to see the truth of the goodness of ones creation…of ones existence…of grace …of the love of God…etc)

(I am speaking there to the theory …to the idea in the later part (in the first part I make a spiritual suggestion)…we are not really to give psychological advice here in the forum…)
 
One could look through scripture for positive verses such as ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me’ - definitely no harm in meditating on those. 🙂
 
LilyM said:
One could look through scripture for positive verses such as ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me’ - definitely no harm in meditating on those. 🙂
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I agree. And for about $2 you can get a little pocket promise book in a Christian bookstore. You will be stuck with KJV or the like, but you can look up your favorites in a Catholic Bible and put them on a 3x5 card for your purse.
 
While not generally called an affirmation, I have often heard the importance of looking in the mirror every morning and reminding yourself,
“I am a child of the Most High God and I am beautifully and wondrously made.”
 
DebChris said:
While not generally called an affirmation, I have often heard the importance of looking in the mirror every morning and reminding yourself,
“I am a child of the Most High God and I am beautifully and wondrously made.”
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When I was converting, I was talking to my sponsor in the parish office, as she was secretary (we had struck up a friendship on the phone when I called the parish about converting, and good thing; I knew no other Catholics at the time) and we were complaining about this or that about our bodies, I think it was swimsuit time again, so, too much fat here or there, as women do, and our priest overheard this, and said, “Ladies! You should never say that about yourselves!” and proceeded to tell us what you just said, only he said, “Stand naked…” which made us both blush. He was very strict and holy so he certainly was not trying to make us blush, he was quite sincere… So I think there is wisdom in it!
 
Oh_Charlotte said:
When I was converting, I was talking to my sponsor in the parish office, as she was secretary (we had struck up a friendship on the phone when I called the parish about converting, and good thing; I knew no other Catholics at the time) and we were complaining about this or that about our bodies, I think it was swimsuit time again, so, too much fat here or there, as women do, and our priest overheard this, and said, “Ladies! You should never say that about yourselves!” and proceeded to tell us what you just said, only he said, “Stand naked…” which made us both blush. He was very strict and holy so he certainly was not trying to make us blush, he was quite sincere… So I think there is wisdom in it!
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It was a rabbi I read that likewise said it was important to spend time “naked in front of a full length mirror” in order to become comfortable with our own bodies.
This reminds me of a story written by a nun about the importance of a “sensuous bedroom.” She wrote her story based on the only magazine article available while flying. The bed should to be placed in the middle of the room. In the same way our life needs to be centered on God. Mirrors lined with bronze soften the contours of the naked body. There should be a piece of art that your eyes see upon waking. Love is not all about sex.
I placed a picture of an ocean scene on the wall for my eyes to see on waking. It had the effect I planned of gently allowing me to doze to sleep at night, and gently wake in the morning.
 
DebChris said:
It was a rabbi I read that likewise said it was important to spend time “naked in front of a full length mirror” in order to become comfortable with our own bodies.
This reminds me of a story written by a nun about the importance of a “sensuous bedroom.” She wrote her story based on the only magazine article available while flying. The bed should to be placed in the middle of the room. In the same way our life needs to be centered on God. Mirrors lined with bronze soften the contours of the naked body. There should be a piece of art that your eyes see upon waking. Love is not all about sex.
I placed a picture of an ocean scene on the wall for my eyes to see on waking. It had the effect I planned of gently allowing me to doze to sleep at night, and gently wake in the morning.
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I like this. And I ought to do something about my messy bedroom! Seems to always be last priority…

P.S. I have to say, I have never seen a mirror lined with bronze…
 
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