Take a good look friends, at who you were when you got called into this life. I don't see many of the "brightest and the best" among you, not many influential, not many from high-society families....Everything that we have - right thinking and right living, a clean slate and a fresh start - comes from God by way of Jesus Christ. That's why we have the saying, "If you're going to blow a horn, blow a trumpet for God. (Excerpts from 1 Cor. 1:29-31, The Message)


Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Changing Habits

If anyone out there is struggling with addiction or just battling a negative habit, may this encourage you today.

It is from Autobiography in Five Short Chapters by Portia Nelson.

Chapter 1:
I walk down the street.  There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.  I fall in.  I am lost.  I am helpless.  It isn’t my fault.  It takes forever to find a way out.

Chapter 2:
I walk down the same street.  There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.  I pretend I don’t see it.  I fall in again.  I can’t believe I am in this same place.  But it isn’t my fault.  It still takes a long time to get out.

Chapter 3:
I walk down the same street.  There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.  I see it is there.  I fall in … it’s a habit … but my eyes are open.  I know where I am. It is my fault.  I get out immediately.

Chapter 4:
I walk down the same street.  There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.  I walk around it.

Chapter 5:
I walk down a different street.

James 4:7 (NASB95) Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

Luke 10:19 (NASB95) Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will injure you.

Isaiah 54:17 (NASB95) "No weapon that is formed against you will prosper; And every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, And their vindication is from Me," declares the LORD.

John 8:36 (NASB95) 
"So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. "




Posted by at

3 comments:

  1. Kim H.May 24, 2012 at 8:36 PM

    Love this! They taught us in outpatient rehab years ago that we needed to find new playgrounds and new playmates to be successful in overcoming our addictions. Thankfully, God can also make us new so that we can be encouragers to go around instead of lurers to fall into the holes in the street : ) Thanks for posting!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. TrudyMay 24, 2012 at 8:41 PM

      Great point Kim! It's good to be reminded of that and to really consider who we can encourage to walk around the hole or choose a completely different street and to also make sure we are not luring anyone into a hard forbidden place for them even if it might not be "forbidden" for us.

      Addictions are hard things but not impossible for our great God to overcome. Thanks for your wise input!

      Delete
  2. AnonymousMay 25, 2012 at 3:58 PM

    For years, Chaplain has been using this story to describe how women in prison have led their lives. I always considered this a great story but never applied it to my life. I am so glad for Kim's illustration in her comment.
    What a wonderful thought to consider in seeking ways to serve God...and in realizing that God can do all things. I need to remember to ASK. I can think of many times I've walked down the same street expecting a different outcome.
    Thank you, Trudy, for reminding me of the story and using the Bible references to teach.

    Carol

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)