The Sovereignty of Self
A Declaration of Myself, To Myself, About Myself: How To Combat Self-Doubt, Self-Sabotage, and Self-Destruction
Podcast | Video | Artifact
Dear Intelligent Reader,
I have discovered in this life that we can be our greatest opposition. The most dangerous voice you will ever hear is your own—when it’s untrained.
So many people think negatively about themselves and speak down on their futures without even realizing what they are doing. We call ourselves derogatory names and give ourselves harmful descriptors like “I’m a bad b****,” “I’m a dog,” or “I’m too lazy to do that,” not realizing that by saying these things, we are affirming an identity that is not based on truth.
Most of the time, people are not taught to view themselves in a positive light. Instead, they adopt a negative self-image, which often leads to a lack of purpose and a low level of effort. Eventually, many find themselves in an identity crisis that can take years—if not decades—to resolve. Add childhood trauma and addiction into the mix, and you have all the ingredients for a self-doubting, self-sabotaging, and self-destructive person who is underdeveloped, underpaid, and overwhelmed by anxiety and depression.
I had a conversation with a friend—someone I mentor. She was struggling to take the next step in her life: going back to school. She found herself procrastinating, stuck in a place where she could not move forward. When I asked her what was going on, she explained the situation. But when I pressed further and asked what was really holding her back, she began to tear up and said, “I feel like a failure, and I’m letting everyone down.”
Instead of doing what she knew she needed to do, she avoided it. She made excuses out of fear—fear of failing, fear of confirming what she already believed about herself.
So I approached the situation differently. I began asking her deeper questions:
Do you believe you can do it?
What thoughts are keeping you up at night?
Do you believe you are capable of doing great things?
Do you love yourself?
Many of her answers were uncertain: “I don’t know,” “Maybe,” “I think so.”
You see, the real root issue wasn’t external—it was internal. Her problem wasn’t ability—it was identity. It was rooted in how she saw herself. She believed more in her feelings than in the truth about who she was. She didn’t see herself as unique—even though she is. She saw herself as incapable—even though she isn’t.
Even as a born-again believer who professes Jesus Christ as her Lord, she still struggled with a self-image that did not align with the truth found in the Word of God. And she is not alone. Many people suffer from a lack of understanding of who they are—and whose they are.
So how do you fix this?
Here’s where the shift happens. One powerful solution to this problem is the consistent repetition of a personal declaration.
The reason this works is simple: when you repeatedly speak truth over yourself, you begin to reshape your belief system. Over time, your internal dialogue shifts, and your self-image begins to align with truth rather than fear.
Changing the way you speak of yourself, to yourself, about yourself every day can help resolve many of these internal struggles.
Here is one that I use.
Title: I am who I am
Part 1: My Identity
I am a member of the family of the Human Race.
I am fearfully and wonderfully made after the image of my creator.
I am worthy of respect, love, dignity, truth, and freedom.
Part 2: Self-Love
I am beautiful, smart, intelligent, unique, one of a kind, and special.
There is no one who is the exact same as me in the world.
Nor will there ever be.
Part 3: My Potential
I have a purpose, talents, and gifts.
I have dreams and a vision for my life.
My potential is without limits and I can do all things,
According to the truth and the purpose of who I am.
Part 4: My Service & My Source
I am a conqueror and leader of my thoughts and behaviors.
I am a helper of mankind.
I am a caretaker of this world and the resources in it.
I am a masterpiece, because I am a piece of the Master.
My Creator is my source for all things.
Part 5: The Kingdom
Within me is a hidden kingdom.
Within that kingdom is my true identity of who I am;
My true potential of what I can do;
And my true destiny of who I can become.
Part 6: Praise To My Father
Above all things, I give glory to the one who created all things.
He is worthy of praise, honor, and glory, forever.
I am who I am, and so shall I be.
Praise be to the Most High Power.
Amen.
Recite this affirmation of truth at least twice everyday. Do it when you first wake up and before you go to bed. Read it aloud to yourself and memorize it over time. The simple strategy will help you overcome your self-doubt, self-sabotage, and self-destruction.
That is it for now my most intelligent reader. Thank you for your attention. Until we speak again.
In all Love,
The Modern Strategos
