Instead of saying “I’m stressed”, say “my body is preparing me to rise from this challenge”. This reframes stress into energy, turning cortisol into courage. Instead of saying “I have to do this”, say “I get to do this”. This shifts the brain from pressure to gratitude, increasing motivation. Instead of saying “I’ll try”, say “I commit”. Try signals doubt, commit programs the subconscious for a follow through. Instead of saying “I’m bad at this”, say “I’m still learning this”. Your brain loves growth, and this rewires failure into progress. Instead of saying “I don’t have time”, say “it’s not my priority”. This exposes what you truly value. Instead of saying “that’s just who I am”, say “that’s who I’ve been and who I was, not who I must stay”. Sense of self is flexible, and this creates mental freedom to continue agreeing with who God says you actually are. Instead of saying “this always happens to me”, say “what can I learn from it this time?” This stops victimhood and activates problem solving mode. Instead of saying “I don’t know”, say “I don’t know yet”. Yet brings in a growth mindset, empowering the brain to search for answers. Instead of saying “I’m nervous”, say “the Holy Spirit in me is excited”. The brain cannot tell the difference, you decide the framing. Instead of saying “it’s impossible”, say “it hasn’t been done by me yet”. This opens possibility and dissolves mental barriers. Instead of saying “I can’t do this”, say “how can I do this?” Asking questions activates problem solving circuits. Instead of saying “I failed”, say “I’ve discovered one way it doesn’t work”. This resets failure into data. Instead of saying “I’m stuck”, say “I’m pausing to reset”. This turns paralysis into preparation, reducing anxiety. Instead of saying “they’re lucky”, say “they created opportunities”. This shifts envy into responsibility and empowerment. Instead of saying “I wish”, say “I will”. Wish signals helplessness, will directs action. Instead of saying “I’m overwhelmed”, say “I’m prioritizing”.

What would you say is your current predominant emotion within your family?

Our children are shaped more by our emotional landscape than by our words.

Have you ever forgotten why you started something that once set your heart on fire? I’ve been in a season where the work is good, but I feel tired. Heavy. Like something’s missing. Then one honest moment, one walk, one quiet whisper reminded me—this is sacred work. I’m here to bring the Lamb, not to fix people. Sept 1st we will begin our next 4 month course, and now I’m ready!!! Are you?

For those who don’t know, our family has had a very interesting 2 years. A house with so much mold we have to tear it down. Living in 2 campers and a house a church let us live in. Lawsuits we tried to avoid with inspectors. Requesting over and over the bank allow us to tear down and start the process to no avail. Well, we’ve had a breakthrough and we are pumped. You can watch a quick update here on X (as well as see the whole process). And it happened after I got on a call with my men’s group, and one friend said that the word God gave him for this year was “breakthrough”. We prayed into it as a group and then our family got this update the next day!!