In The Way
I am usually my biggest obstacle when I am trying to change, especially when I let my feelings stay in control.
Feelings are fickle. They are all over the place up and down, back and forth, in and out, they go clockwise and counter-clockwise. They can lead me down a miserable road if I don't stop them. How do I stop feelings, you ask?
The answer is simple...it starts by regulating my thoughts.
Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Rom. 12:2 NLT
Our thoughts influence our feelings which then affects our behavior. So if you want to change a behavior, you have to begin with what you think about that causes it.
Whenever I am frustrated in a situation, I take some time to listen to my thoughts and then I lay it out before God and compare it to what my Bible says. This is usually the easy part because after this step, my mind tries to justify my actions.
"Well if he/she wouldn't do (fill in the blank), then I wouldn't (fill in the blank)."
This is where I get in the way of God working in me. I try to justify my responses to others based on the way they treat me. The Bible says that we are to treat other people the way we want to be treated. It does not say, wait for others to treat you better before you start treating them well.
Ouch! I have had this lesson in change more than once so you think I would learn but I still have to work at it. The good news is every time I go through this, I get better. God adds His wisdom and love to my efforts so that I continue to treat people better.
Are you blocking your own efforts at changing something? Ask God to show you. Let Him teach you and use His word to keep your mind focused.
Heidirn
Feelings are fickle. They are all over the place up and down, back and forth, in and out, they go clockwise and counter-clockwise. They can lead me down a miserable road if I don't stop them. How do I stop feelings, you ask?
The answer is simple...it starts by regulating my thoughts.
Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Rom. 12:2 NLT
Our thoughts influence our feelings which then affects our behavior. So if you want to change a behavior, you have to begin with what you think about that causes it.
Whenever I am frustrated in a situation, I take some time to listen to my thoughts and then I lay it out before God and compare it to what my Bible says. This is usually the easy part because after this step, my mind tries to justify my actions.
"Well if he/she wouldn't do (fill in the blank), then I wouldn't (fill in the blank)."
This is where I get in the way of God working in me. I try to justify my responses to others based on the way they treat me. The Bible says that we are to treat other people the way we want to be treated. It does not say, wait for others to treat you better before you start treating them well.
Ouch! I have had this lesson in change more than once so you think I would learn but I still have to work at it. The good news is every time I go through this, I get better. God adds His wisdom and love to my efforts so that I continue to treat people better.
Are you blocking your own efforts at changing something? Ask God to show you. Let Him teach you and use His word to keep your mind focused.
Heidirn
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