As I was driving to work, I felt my long sleeve shirt button right below the elbow. When I realized it was unbuttoned, I heard a voice in my head say, “Oh no, I’m only half dressed.” 

When I was in my 20s, I had an older female customer notice that my sleeve buttons were not buttoned. She said, “Young man, you’re only half dressed. Those buttons on your sleeves are supposed to be buttoned.” 

Decades later, I was surprised to realize her rebuke still haunts me.  

Proverbs 12:18 says, “The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” 

When we hear voices in our head from the past, it helps to pause and determine whether the words were reckless or wise.