Let the Cutting Begin
You were thinking scissors, right? NOPE! Transformation is sometimes just….Pest Control!
When we got the word: “Break chains, cut strings” (See 1st post) I was pretty sure I knew what breaking chains was. But cutting strings? Initially I was thinking of attachments. Those unnecessary things, (not people) we gave away. Guess what? I didn’t miss them much! I was feeling pretty proud of myself until….
I discovered the pests. Oh, yeah. Those nasty little blood sucking, property destroying, annoying varmints from hell that threaten to crash your party. The problem was, they were a minion: an infestation of termites gnawing for years! What did I need? Insect spray? NO! A bug bomb? NO. A crop duster? NO. A forest service air tanker? NO. What I needed was a tsunami of repellant!
Here’s the deal: If we want freedom, we have to radically transform our minds. We need the pests blasted from our bodies: physically, emotionally and spiritually.
“How are pests (strings) different from chains” you ask? Chains are strongholds that enslave. Insects are sneaky creepers you didn’t eradicate early. You saw one or two.. and… nothing.
In behavioral health and medicine neuroplasticity is all the rage right now. “Neurons that wire together, fire together”, meaning our minds and bodies have the capability to create pathways that become habitual, like ants on a log. But so often our thoughts, words, actions can form unhealthy patterns, even illness. Neuroplasticity theories state that we can actually change our bodies and heal by creating new pathways. Unlearning the old, bring in the new: Think caterpillar to butterfly!
Ralph Waldo Emerson stated “Sow a thought and reap an action. Sow an action, reap a habit. Sow a habit, reap a character. Sow a character reap a destiny.”
…..So if we want a new destination….looks like we need to change the pathways. Here’s how:
Get radical. Turn on the light. Find the pests. (thoughts, behaviors, unhealthy emotions, habits)
Get out the big guns. (mentors/sponsors, counselors, Drs,prayer warriors, faith, Holy Spirit)
Expel don’t Repel! STOP IT for good. Engage! Demolition–WWIII– WMD!
REST. Grieve.
GO. Forge your new path. Sow your new seed.
The journey is worth it. YOU are worth it. Your family and friends–are worth it. Our country is worth it. The Kingdom is worth it.
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Tips: Read this: The God-Shaped Brain: How Changing Your View of God Transforms Your life Timothy Jennings, MD The Soul of Shame: Retelling the Stories We Believe About Ourselves. Curt Thompson, MD
Romans 12:1-2 (NIV) Joel 2:13, 25-26 John 4:14
Watch this: The Soul Of Shame
Rewiring App: Burgeon
For Fun: Watch these: Stop It by comedian Bob Newhart Men's Brains and Women's Brains with Mark Gungor (Nothing Box)
Need a counselor? https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists
I will definitely be checking out the books that you suggested. I’ve recently registered to start a diploma in counselling psychology with the hope of helping other Christians in finding the balance between Jesus and the Mind and discovering that they are not alien to each other.