In unpacking my thought pattern, I need to share a snippet of the story of Joshua from the Bible. It forms an intricate part of my reflection on the power of words over our minds. After Moses’ death, his right-hand man, Joshua, who had served faithfully in the shadows, was chosen as the next leader of his people. Unbeknownst to anyone, Joshua faced insecurities that threatened his leadership success. He felt overwhelmed, scared, and, I would imagine, inadequate. It was in the moment of his greatest weakness that God spoke the same words to him three times: “Be strong and courageous.” Why would he do this?
Leading and being a leader are not easy tasks. The giants of self-doubt take the form of external and internal criticisms that can affect your confidence. As someone who has occupied different leadership positions in two schools, I have had to contend with such battles. Most of the time, I had to become my own champion, indulging in daily mind affirmations such as, “I am the head, not the tail.” Why is it important to speak words of affirmation over our minds and thoughts? I will unpack this thought through my layman’s understanding of two scientific research studies that I uncovered.
The Science Behind The Power of Language Over Our Minds
One research study examined how neurotransmitters respond when people process the emotions behind the words they receive. The second research examined the roles of dopamine and serotonin in our decision-making process. Findings suggest that these neurotransmitters are released in different parts of our brain in response to different words. Furthermore, the research suggests that the processing of human language is an intricate part of our survival. When these neurotransmitters are released, they can have either a positive or a negative impact on our mental state. This is because Dopamine is primarily responsible for our decision-making, motivation and movement. Serotonin regulates our moods. One of the most essential survival skills we need to function is the ability to make sound decisions. If your ability to do this becomes compromised, it can seriously affect your capacity to manage your day-to-day tasks, big or small.
The Conclusion
Let us circle back to my story of Joshua. God knew that Joshua’s mental state, after the passing of Moses, needed urgent intervention. Although he was grieving the loss of his mentor, he was also afraid. By repeating the same phrase three times, God was breaking off anxiety and fear from his mind and replacing it with confidence. With each repetition, Joshua felt a shift in his mind.
Our minds possess the blueprint for creating goals and accomplishing them. To achieve these goals, we need to have the capacity to make sound decisions. As someone who has battled depression in her life, I know all too well how dark negative thoughts can paralyse you into inaction. When I think of the story of Joshua, I realise that he needed to win the mental battle first before the physical ones. Joshua knew that, as a leader, he had to make key decisions that could impact an entire nation. He understood the comparisons people would make between his leadership style and Moses’s, which is why he feared leading.
We have an active mind that needs consistent guarding and protecting. Just as we choose to eat right and strengthen our physical bodies with the right food and exercise. In my opinion, it is just as important to monitor our thoughts. We need to be mindful of discouraging words, negative self-perceptions, and a defeated mindset. We need to train our brains to meditate on positive affirmations that can guide us into achieving our different life goals. Sometimes, we may need the assistance of an outside professional to navigate our quest.
Here are five tips that help me:
- Reading – find books that challenge you to reflect and make small decisions about your life.
- Pray and quiet reflection – remove the noise and be still
- Healthy relationships – I try to avoid negative people and surround myself with encouraging, goal-oriented people.
- Mind affirmations – what you tell your mind is an important step towards building success.
- Real-life success stories – I enjoy reading and watching dramatic stories of people who have failed, and still find the courage to stand up and continue fighting.
References
- Pastor, John. “Words Activate Hidden Brain Processes Shaping Emotions, Decisions, and Behavior.” Vt.edu, 9 Jan. 2025, news.vt.edu/articles/2025/01/research-fralinbiomed-words-0106.html.
- Rogers, Rober D. “The roles of Dopamine and Serotonin in Decision Making: Evidence from Pharmacological Experiments in Humans.” Neiropsychopharmacology, vol.36, no. 1,29 Sept. 2010, pp. 114-132, https://doi.org/10.1038/npp.2010.165
- Joshua 1:9, Amplified Bible, Bible Gateway, April 18 2026, https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joshua%201%3A9&version=AMP,
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