How to Use Christian Affirmations to Improve How You Feel

Affirmations are positive statements that you say, write, or read. They are things that you declare to be true about yourself with the intent of building up your confidence. Followers of Christ have a unique opportunity to use affirmations that are rooted in Christian truths.

When you use biblical truth for affirmations, you rely on more than the typical kind of affirmation. Instead of resting on your own idea or trying to believe something random, you can declare the truth of God to yourself.

What is Christian affirmation?

A Christian affirmation is a positive, good statement grounded in Christian faith and values. You can use this to reinforce beliefs, promote self-confidence, and cultivate a deeper connection with God. These can be statements that you agree with and feel currently, or they can be things that you know to be true, and you want to believe.

For example, a person may struggle with abandonment. A good Christian affirmation for her may be to remind herself of God’s truth about His presence. Something like, “I am never alone because God promises He will never leave me,” can help her overcome her fear of abandonment.

The key to affirmations is repetition. When you repeat the affirmation repeatedly, you create new ways of thinking. As you do this, they become stronger, helping you believe the affirmation over time.

How to practice Christian affirmations

Affirmations can be recited aloud, written down, or simply thought about. As you do this it helps focus your mind and heart on biblical truths. It doesn’t matter which method you use to practice your affirmations. Often people find it helpful to incorporate all three methods to help the new way of thinking take root in their heart and their mind.

Methods you can try include:

• Having an affirmation journal that you write in daily.
• Reading an affirmation from a note taped to your mirror as you brush your teeth.
• Setting a reminder on your phone with the affirmation.
• Creating affirmations in an app that delivers them to you daily.
• Saying your affirmation every time you perform an action like getting in the car or washing dishes.
• Writing the affirmation multiple times.
• Saying the affirmation aloud.
• Recording your affirmation as a voice memo and listening to it each day.

Try these in different combinations to discover what works for you. The most important thing is that you do it daily, so you think about the affirmation regularly. If you miss a day, simply start fresh as soon as you think about it.

Great Christian affirmations to help you

It may be hard to think of where to start with affirmations because there are so many possibilities! Try not to get overwhelmed. Simply start with one and see what God shows you as you practice. Be open to learning new ways of thinking about yourself and God’s love for you.

When you focus your affirmations on the Word of God, you can be sure that they are true. You can rest in knowing that you are filling your mind and your heart with the hope and love of God.

Here are some examples of Christian affirmations based on Scripture to get you started:

If you struggle with your identity and self-worth

“I am fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of God.” (cf. Psalm 139:14)

This affirmation will remind you of your value in God. He made you in His image. This reminder can help you work through any struggles with identity or self-worth.

If you want to control things and have everything figured out

“I trust in the Lord with all my heart and do not lean on my understanding.” (cf. Proverbs 3:5-6)

This is a gentle reminder of how trustworthy God is. It will help you learn to surrender and put less pressure on yourself to figure everything out.

If you face something challenging

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (cf. Philippians 4:13)

Everyone goes through hard things that feel challenging. This affirmation reminds you of the power of Christ that lives in you and equips you to do hard things.

If you don’t feel strong enough

“God’s grace is sufficient for me, and His power is made perfect in my weakness.” (cf. 2 Corinthians 12:9)

Weakness is a beautiful attribute in the Christian faith. It is in your weakness that the grace of God shines through.

If you feel ashamed or struggle to forgive yourself

“I am forgiven and redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ.” (cf. Ephesians 1:7)

Reminding yourself of the forgiveness and redemption of God can help you walk in freedom. You are not bound to your sin because God forgives it fully.

If you feel stuck in your past

“I am a new creation in Christ; the old has passed away, and the new has come.” (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:17)

Your future changed because of Christ. The things that are in your past cannot bind you anymore. This affirmation is helpful to focus on when you feel like you can’t let go of your past.

If you feel like a failure

“I am more than a conqueror through Him who loved me.” (cf. Romans 8:27)

In life, you may struggle with some things, but in Christ, you are a conqueror. That may not mean you win in every situation, but you are a conqueror over your sin, and that matters the most.

If you don’t know your purpose

“I am a vessel of God’s love, spreading His light to others.” (cf. Matthew 5:16)

Your purpose in God is simple. It is all about loving Him and loving others. As you rest in this affirmation, you are reminded of the simplicity of this. You don’t need big grand plans. You simply need to allow Him to work through you to shine His light to others.

If you struggle with fear

“I am walking in faith, not in fear, for God is with me.” (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:7)

Fear can be all-encompassing. As you practice this affirmation, you remind yourself that the faith God gives you is bigger than any fear in your mind. You can overcome your fear because God is with you.

Practicing Christian affirmations

Remember, affirmations are a discipline. They aren’t a one-time cure for whatever you struggle with. Instead, they are a repeated practice that changes your heart and mind over time.

As you practice, be sure to personalize these affirmations to your own needs and experiences. Focus on them and be brave enough to believe them, even if you don’t feel it. You can find more affirmations by looking at Scripture and declaring the truth of God over your life.

Affirmations are powerful. They can be a tool to align your thoughts with God’s Word and to strengthen your faith as you practice them. Another good resource for strengthening your faith is Christian counseling.

A Christian counselor can help you address your current beliefs and feelings. Together, you can look at why you feel the way you do and develop strategies that foster new ways of thinking. A Christian counselor can help you ensure that the new beliefs are in alignment with God’s Word.

If you need help doing this or want to learn more about Christian affirmations, look at the directory of counselors to see whom you’d like to connect with. As you reach out in faith, you can see how God uses His truth and people to help you overcome and find freedom in your life.