Self-Talk

As I am preparing myself for my internship starting Tuesday, I am becoming increasingly nervous. I'm only a sophomore. My previous newspaper experience includes one semester at my college newspaper. I've taken like 4 journalism classes. And yet, by God's grace alone, I am interning at the Washington Examiner in DC this semester. 

I will be working with professionals who have been in this business for years. People I interview will not know I'm an intern. People who read my work will have their expectations set just as high for me as they do for everyone else working with me. 

When I dwell on this, I get down easily. I am scared. A very small part of me says, "What are you doing?! Back out before it's too late and you embarrass yourself! You are not worthy of this opportunity."

I am not just an intern though. I am a child of God, and He has put me here for a reason. Whether it be for a great learning experience, a spiritual challenge, a chance to make connections, or a challenge to continually follow His calling in my life, I am entirely confident He has me here for a reason. A good one, at that. 

Ok. So I may not be the most prepared intern to ever walk into that office - by worldly standards - but what is a worldly standard when compared to what God has planned for my life? That's what I thought. Nothing. 

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things. - Philippians 4:8

WJC and ASP people, this blog is especially for you, but it can apply to any situation any day.  Here is an excerpt from my devotional that was incredibly encouraging. It is parts of a quote by Dr. D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones:

I say that we must talk to ourselves instead of allowing "ourselves" to talk to us... Have you realized that most of your unhappiness in life is due to the fact that you are listening to yourself instead of talking to yourself? Now the psalmist's treatment was this; instead of allowing this self to talk to him, he starts talking to himself. "Why art thou cast down, O my soul?" he asks. His soul has been depressing him, crushing him... Then you must go on to remind yourself of God, Who He is, and what God has done... End on a great note: defy yourself, and defy other people, and defy the devil and the whole world, and say with this man: "I shall praise Him for the help of His countenance."

 So this is my challenge to you - and to myself: Instead of allowing condemning and worrying self to speak to you, think God's thoughts to yourself as you go throughout your day. You should have a much clearer mind about things!

The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ - 2 Corinthians 10:4-5.