January 26, 2017 - I once had a friend who had this habit of clearing their throat every time they heard someone else clear theirs. Needless to say that as teenagers when we realized this was a habit, so we would take turns during a conversation with this person clearing our throats so that instead of talking this poor friend would spend all of his time trying to keep up with all those who were doing the throat clearing in the group just to torment him. Kids can be cruel. Some people have the habit of making the same bad choices over and over. They never realize that you can't make the same choice and expect a different result.
Do you have any habits? Before you say no, carefully examine your whole life. Is there something that you seem to keep doing over and over. As hard as you seem to try, you keep coming back to the same place. Sometimes we make a habit of making the same bad choices that affect our friends, relationships and even our health. I was once counseling a person on smoking, when the person said, "You don't have to tell me how to quit. I am an expert at it. I've quit four times!" I had to explain to them that if they were truly an expert at it, it should have only taken once. It is human nature for us to believe that we can change anytime we want. But its usually harder than we think. Portia Nelson wrote a five step process for success, I think that if you read carefully it will help you see yourself and how you might make real change in your life.
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 my way out.
2) I walk down the street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I pretend I don't see it. I fall in. I can't believe that I am in the same place, but it isn't my fault. It still takes a long time to get out.
3) I walk down the street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I see it is there. I still fall in. It's a habit. My eyes are open. I know where I am. It is my fault. I get out immediately.
4) I walk down the street. there is a hole in the sidewalk. I walk around it.
5) I walk down a different street.
Sometimes to affect real change in our lives we have to first open our eyes to the real problem and if necessary take a completely different street.
The good news is that God has provided a way for us to make a new start and a counselor in the Holy Spirit to guide us on our journey for a new beginning. When we seek God, He will give us a new perspective. In Romans 12:2 Paul gives us a solution to change when he says, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is good and acceptable and perfect." We don't have to keep falling in the same hole. Let Jesus guide your walk and you will find a new street to joy.
I'm Just Sayin,
Mike Belgard
