Positive Self-talk for when you feel misunderestood, misrepresented, or rejected

Do you ever feel misunderstood, misrepresented, or rejected? Yep me too. Some years ago, I came up with positive self-talk to give myself whenever these unwanted feelings surfaced.

Since then, I’ve shared it with those I counsel after they have extended forgiveness to someone but are still feeling the hurt of the wounding.

Try this self-talk exercise the next time you feel misunderstood, misrepresented, or rejected.

In the blanks below, insert the name of the person you’re struggling with.

Positive self-talk

Jesus was often misunderstood and misrepresented in his relationships with people, even his disciples. Can I expect anything less?

• Jesus was misunderstood. Therefore I can expect to be misunderstood.
• Jesus was misrepresented. Therefore I can expect to be misrepresented.
• Jesus was rejected. Therefore I can expect to be rejected (both emotionally and physically).

My identity, security, and worth as a (mother, father, parent, child, friend, employee) do not come from having a perfect relationship with another person.

• No person can ever supply all I need for my security, worth, and identity.
• No one will always understand me or represent me correctly.
• No person can ever provide all the emotional safety I need in a relationship.

My safety, security, identity, and worth can only be sourced by my daily relationship with the Lord.

Being “right” is not an issue with me. I will allow myself to be perceived as “wrong” even when I feel I am right. I will not try to overly explain myself or defend my opinion.

I know Jesus understands me and will represent me when He feels it is needed. _____________ perception of me cannot hold me in bondage.

Therefore, I release _____________ from my own personal judgments and expectations.

When ___________ misunderstands, misrepresents, disagrees, or rejects me, it is their problem, not mine. I will listen to their opinion and seek to understand what they are stating.

I will honor myself and __________ by briefly explaining my position. But if ________ still doesn’t see the situation from my perspective, then I refuse to make their opinion my problem.

________ opinion will not steal my joy or dictate my emotional state. I will refuse to allow my thoughts to be consumed with __________ problem.

When I feel frustrated and angry over an issue that I think is being misunderstood or misrepresented by _______________, I will “pour out my complaint” before the Lord and leave it there! (Psalm 142:1-7)

Therefore, the problem no longer mine, but has become ______________ problem and/or the Lord’s problem.

Your turn...

So what kind of positive self-talk do you engage in when you feel misunderstood, misrepresented, or rejected?

Has it worked? (Let us know in the comment section below.)

For more like this, see:

How to talk to yourself when you feel discouraged

And if you found this post helpful, please pass it on by sharing it.

You can find other self-talk examples like this in the Soul Care Spa.

Hugs,

Susan