Hope For Today "Dysfunction"

Many people have never been disciplined in the art of following through on the commitments they make. They start something and then get tired when it takes more effort than they are willing to give.  Thankfully, God has operated with us on a very different basis.

What makes any behaviour destructive?  It’s not just things like drugs and alcohol that many assume, although substance abuse clearly does also lead to many destructive behaviours. The truth is that whenever we seek to sort out problems or avoid our feelings with anything other than the comfort and healing of God, we only create a path for continued suffering. 

It is so easy to find fault with what others are doing and to criticize them.  The truth is, it doesn't help to focus on anyone’s flaws and failures, and it distracts from the time and energy we give to God's transforming work in our own lives. While we may think that we are controlling and changing other people by criticizing them, it rarely has that effect. God has a better option for us today.

Just like oil and water, good and evil just don’t mix.  One place where this principle is clearly seen is in our thought life.  We can’t think about things that are not good and hope to continue to walk well. The Bible reminds us:

What is something you procrastinate about doing? Most experts in dealing with procrastination would tell us that by taking things one day at a time, one step at a time, even tasks that seem overwhelming become possible. Character building and developing our relationship with God is something else that we can procrastinate about.  However, if we focus on what is before us and do the next right thing, we can trust God to empower us each step of the journey.

We are often reluctant to admit problems and deal with painful events as they occur.  We push them down into the deep recesses of our souls and put our best face on.  This is like shoving clutter into a closet and tightly closing the door before guests arrive. This works for a while but at some point we have to open the closet door and when we do that with overstuffed closet, everything inside falls out around our feet.

God wants each of us to come to that place where we first identify with Him and acknowledge who we are in Christ instead of seeking to be propped up by someone else.

Shame is such a powerful emotion that plagues many human beings.  It can be the shame we feel for the ugly things we said and did or the shame we felt after someone harmed or abused us, God wants us to overcome all of it and live life to the full.

We live in a time when generations are exactly that - stubborn in their own definitions and views of things, rebellious against the principles and standards God says are what make for a successful life and society. At the core of it the problem is that our hearts are not set right and our spirits are not faithful to God.  How to live above this ourselves and be a good example to others?

We all have seasons where the routine of life seems to become dull and we feel less enthusiastic about what we are involved with than we previously did.  It is a fair question to ask why we are bored and impatient with where life is at today.  The real question is, what will we do about it?

Remember the old term "being wishy washy?" We are great at doing things for a short while bug challenges come and how easily we get diverted or stumble. How do we find the help we need to be more consistent?

In recovery circles there is a saying, “You are only as sick as your secrets.