Written by The Smith Family’s 5 Daily D’s is a 5 part blog and podcast series focused on Jumpstarting your mental wellness through the key principles of Devotion, Dialogue, Do Good, Downtime and Development.
In part two of this series, we’ll discuss how Dialogue, the next D in the Smith Family’s 5 Daily D’s, is key to supporting mental health and wellness.
Dialogue: The Smith Family’s 5 Daily D’s Part 2
Good and Godly Dialogue or conversation is like music to the soul. It satisfies the soul’s need to be loved and can cut through moments of despair like a cool summer breeze. The conversations that pepper our souls with goodness are typically from the outflow of an intentional relationship rooted in history, similar values or shared experiences. These relationships, whether new or nurtured over time, are void of gossip and seasoned with grace, truth, wisdom and counsel. Relationships like this provide the opportunity to encourage and to be encouraged through psalms, hymns and spiritual songs (Ephesians 5:19-20). These types of conversations can have a profound effect on our mood and outlook as the dialogue leads us deeper into relationship with Christ and others.
Ephesians 4:29 encourages believers to not let any unwholesome talk come out of our mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Conversation that edifies (is wholesome, builds others up and encourages) makes people feel good. When we feel good, a chemical reaction happens in our brains and dopamine, the happy chemical, is released. When Dopamine is released, it can positively influence mood and provide the body and brain with a sense of pleasure.
Take a moment to reflect on the conversations in your life. Do they edify and build you up? Are your conversations pointing you and others toward Christ through reflection and biblical wisdom, or do they point you toward the worldly and foolish wisdom that grieves the Holy Spirit?If you find yourself in need of Good and Godly Dialogue, the first place to start is self-examination. Is your conversation seasoned with biblical wisdom and encouragement that edifies others? Are you surrounded with believers who sharpen you through the word of God? If not, it’s time to start praying for God to place the right people in your life to help edify you, while you edify them.
As you ask God for godly friendships that lead to Good and Godly Dialogue, I encourage you to take the next step and look for ways to surround yourself with believers who are devoted to God and their brothers and sisters in Christ. Although a simple concept, engaging in Good and Godly Dialogue can deeply transform your life while helping to decrease symptoms of anxiety and depression.
For a deeper dive on how Good and Godly Dialogue helps to combat anxiety and depression, visit
Sessions With My Therapist https://anchor.fm/sessionswithmytherapist