Day 26: Selah, Selah: A Pause for Praise and Self-Love. A 40 Day Journey of Hope
🎵 Song of the Day: O Praise Him – David Crowder Band
Links:
Dear Friends,
Hopeful for today. That’s where I’m choosing to begin. Even when depression whispers and negative self-thoughts try to drag me back to old patterns, I lift my eyes to Heaven and praise Him.
Romans 8:24-25 reminds us:
“For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.”
Today, I am choosing to wait with joy. We are breaking through today. We are jumping for joy today — to the best we can!
Scripture – A Song of Hope
Psalm 46:1, 10 (NIV):
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble… Be still, and know that I am God.”
The Psalms are not just scriptures — they are songs. They were written to be sung, declared, and repeated in worship. That’s why the word Selah appears — it’s a musical pause, a chance to breathe, reflect, and let the truth of the song sink into our souls.
As a drummer, I know a song can’t be all noise, all pounding, all constant movement. Rhythm needs rests. Without pauses, the music is just chaos. But when you add space — when you let silence punctuate the sound — that’s when the beat becomes alive and powerful.
Life is the same way. We need pauses. We need moments of Selah. We need to breathe between the beats, reflect on God’s goodness, and let His presence steady our rhythm.
So when I say Selah, Selah, I’m taking a pause in the music of my life to remember: God is with me. God is my refuge. God is my strength.
Reflection
Be encouraged. You have the power to change, enhance, and grow your self-esteem in healthy ways. I am declaring today:
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I can change.
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I can sing.
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I can dance my way into joy and hope.
Signs of Low Self-Esteem
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Overanalyzing why you are the way you are
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Fearful and stressed by adversity or the future
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Hopelessness
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Difficulty setting or achieving goals
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Fatigue and isolation
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Avoiding eye contact
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Needy or clingy behavior
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Afraid to take risks
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Negative self-talk
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Dishonesty or oversensitivity to unintended comments
Signs of High Self-Esteem
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Confident in your abilities and decisions
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Able to accept compliments graciously
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Comfortable expressing your thoughts and feelings
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Able to set and maintain healthy boundaries
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Resilient when facing challenges or setbacks
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Positive and encouraging self-talk
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Accepting of yourself, including flaws and mistakes
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Able to take healthy risks and try new things
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Able to forgive yourself and others
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Open to receiving love and support from others
🖤 Self-love is key. It shifts us from survival into thriving.
Hope Goals 💙
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Goal: I want to raise my self-esteem.
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Pathways: I will focus on positive words for myself.
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My Next Step: I will practice gratitude and self-compassion daily.
Closing Declaration
Today I break free from old patterns.
I will not live in shame.
I will praise Him with my whole heart.
I will rise with hope, dance with joy, and sing with courage.
We are breaking through today.
We are jumping for joy today!
And like a drummer who finds both power in the beat and beauty in the rest,
I will keep drumming the rhythm of hope,
resting in the Selah,
and rising with joy on the beat God gives me.
Selah, Selah.
📞 If you or someone you know is in crisis:
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National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233
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National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988
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Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-422-4453
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Elder Abuse Hotline: 1-833-401-0832
With hope and appreciation,
Dr Brooke Jones
Founder Stronger Women