STOPPING = THINKING!
How many troubles, heartaches and misunderstandings in life could be avoided if only; “We had STOPPED and THOUGHT about what is really happening?” I can’t tell you the countless number of years I have spent reacting instead of stopping my run-away train thoughts, and instead responding according to the reality and truth of the situation! In reality a lot of us are programed to get results, answers and understand the why’s and why not’s in life.” The need for analyzing and understanding is even worse for survivors of abuse of domestic violence, because we need things to make sense. This was true for me. I went from a care-giver as a child to the adults in my life to feel a sense of belonging and love. Then I became a codependent “fixer.” Then after feeling and being used, manipulated and emotionally taxed, I became more reactive than responsive.
Reaction is when we blow past rational thinking and then plow down yield and warning signs, bringing us and often those around us to a crashing halt. The “STOP” sign is lying flat on the ground and so are we, figuratively speaking. However, when we respond we have programmed through behavior modification, a safe guard, so when satan presses our well known trigger buttons; We can STOP. Without backing up and getting the situation or person or their behavior into a rational perspective, we can’t see the truth or reality of them or ourselves. Because we are way too close and the devil knows this and uses it to his, not our full advantage.
The devil is very clever at knowing where we store our old tapes and which ones to play and when. He loves more than anything for us to remember old hurts and resentments or the times when he can convince us that God didn’t answer our prayers the way we wanted, because we are not worthy and don’t matter to God. When nothing on this planet could be father from the truth. So, I beseech you to sit down and get real with yourself, because you are the ONLY ONE you can do anything about with the help found in God’s grace. Identify your triggers, not someone else’s and make a list of the things you need to STOP and THINK about before you react, then pray about your response with an honest view of yourself first. Mirrors aren’t just for vanity, we need to look at our real selves and sift that image through God’s word, love and commandments.
Be Well, Be Blessed, Be Humble, Be Forgiving and above all else Give It to God!
Blessings,
Colleen Bruce aka Maggie Miller http://www.inspirationsbycolleen.com
