Can
we ever teach an old dog new tricks? Of course we can. It only takes 21 days to
break an old habit and start a new one in its place. We produce results when we
are committed to change. Even addictions can be broken through positive
replacement.
Addictions
are usually chosen in order to numb our feelings, mask our insecurity, or
reduce our anxiety. Unfortunately, this choice simply pushes the issues deeper
into our subconscious mind, until they resurface when some current situation
triggers our old feelings.
As
we trade our former perspective, worldview, goals, etc. for new ones, we easily
break the old habits and willingly trade them for healthy new habits. For
instance, we can pursue exercise rather than an addiction, God's truth for
Satan's lies, etc.
When
we shift our commitment from an unhealthy habit to a new direction, we change
our goals to more lasting benefits rather than destructive behavior. We get a
new vision of the course we want to take, and we ask God to lead us on His path
for us.
He
will enable us to overcome addictions by giving us a clear vision of where we
actually want to go. He helps us to change core values with clear motivation to
achieve lasting benefits. We come to see the value in who we are in Christ
(Colossians 1:27).
This
allows us to validate our self, to motivate our new behavior, to overcome any
obstacles in our way, and to commit to a changed life. We exchange our old habits
that cause us to feel physical pain, emotional imbalance and spiritual
immaturity.
Feelings
of being disconnected, unworthy, "not enough", irritable,
unfulfilled, disappointed, discouraged, bitter, etc. dissipate, and we start to
embrace positive feelings of who we are as God's children, which improves our
health in body, soul and spirit.
Prayer:
Father
God, help us to set our goals according to Your will for our life, instead of
our own. Rather than listing what we do not want, teach us to focus on what You
want for us and from us instead. Help us to make changes that will enable us to
accomplish Your plans for us in each moment of every day.
Please
show us our beliefs and negative emotions, which color our life with even more negative
viewpoints and feelings. These issues hinder our walk with You, limit our
enjoyment of life, and our fulfillment in each moment of our day. Thank You for
enabling us to overcome negative habits, stress and anxiety, and addictions by
changing our beliefs and goals.
Thought
for the Day:
The
practice of exploratory awareness helps us to uncover negative aspects in our
life, and to change them to positive ones instead; thoroughly investigating our
negative emotions and thoughts enables us to find their root cause and to eradicate
the problems with positive solutions through Christ in us.
-
Philippians 4:8; Colossians 1:27
