“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.’1” Matt 5:6.
Breaking Bad was one of the most popular television series of recent years. It’s the story of a mild mannered high school chemistry teacher whose decision to start cooking meth was the first of many bad decisions that lead him down a very very bad road. We all have things about us, character defects, that we need to change. Isn’t it time to start Breaking Good by changing our decisions and by making better choices?
WHERE DO OUR CHARACTER DEFECTS COME FROM?
Our Chromosomes: From your mother and father you received about 2,000 chromosomes from each. Positive and negative traits or characteristics. However, this doesn’t excuse you from acting act in self-defeating conduct. You are ultimately responsible for YOUR CONDUCT! Our genetics can contribute to our character defects, but they do not give us excuses. They do provide us with some understanding. If you are born with a defect in your brain that allows you to become an alcoholic, you can understand the physiology of the disease; however, you can no longer drink alcoholic beverages.
Our Circumstances: Much of our childhood history and life’s circumstances have contributed to our character. Much of how we relate to others was learned from watching others. However, many of our current character defects are actually self-defeating attempts to satisfy our unmet needs. Respect, love and security are important things we all need. If we didn’t get them earlier, we have learned negative ways to try to satisfy them now. One night stands, superficial relationships, etc.
Our Choices: The choices we make are the most significant source of our character defects, because they can be changed. You can do something about them! You can not change the past; however, with God’s power, you can change the choices you make now and in the future.
WHY DOES IT TAKE SO LONG TO GET RID OF OUR CHARACTER DEFECTS?
BECAUSE WE HAVE HAD THEM A LONG TIME! They are painfully familiar. Further, we think they have worked for us in the past. Maybe a short time of pleasure was derived; however, a lot of pain was given as well. But they are comfortable; therefore, difficult to let go.
BECAUSE WE CONFUSE OUR DEFECTS WITH OUR IDENTITY! That’s the way I am!
If I let go of this defect, will I still be me? The answer is to show our self as a grateful believer who struggles with these defects. We are identifying with Jesus Christ, and not our Character Defects.
BECAUSE EVERY DEFECT HAS A PAYOFF. Temporary relief from pain, attention, and control. They may give us an excuse to fail or allow us to compensate for the guilt in our lives. It will bring some sort of “perceived” benefit. Negative behavior works in dysfunctional families. Kids come when yelled at or threatened.
BECAUSE SATAN DISCOURAGES OUR EFFORTS TO CHANGE! He is whispering in our ear all sorts of negative thoughts, “This will never work! You can’t do it! You can’s change!” When you start to try to change, he will say “Other people can change, but not you. You’re stuck. It’s hopeless. Don’t even
think about it!” Remember, the Bible says Satan is the Father of lies. John 8:44.
HOW DO WE COOPERATE WITH GOD’S CHANGE PROCESS?
FOCUS ON CHANGING ONE DEFECT AT A TIME. Chunk it down, don’t try to work on thirty things at a time. You can only eat an Elephant one bite at a time! It is a daily reprieve we are seeking, and God will help us 24 and 7.
FOCUS ON VICTORY ONE DAY AT A TIME. Live in the NOW. “…Give Us Today, Our Daily Bread…” Lean on God Each Day! Life by the yard is Hard, but by the inch it is a Cinch!
FOCUS ON GOD’S POWER, NOT YOUR WILLPOWER! Our willpower doesn’t work. We wouldn’t be here today if it did. We have to trust God’s Power not our own. Pray, “Lord I know I can’t change on my power, but I’m trusting YOU to change me.”
FOCUS ON THE GOOD THINGS, NOT THE BAD. If we focus on the bad, it will dominate our lives. If we focus on sex, and we are saying I’m not going to think about sex, then guess what. It will dominate.
FOCUS ON DOING GOOD, NOT FEELING GOOD! Fake it until you make it. If you wait to feel like changing, you will never make it. Do the right thing, take the right step. When you try to change, it will feel alternately awkward or bad because it doesn’t feel “normal” to you. Normal was self-defeating! Normal has killed relationships, opportunities, and relationship with God! Doing the next right thing will become the NORM, and it works.
FOCUS ON PEOPLE WHO HELP, NOT HINDER YOU! CHANGE YOUR PLAYMATES!
FOCUS ON PROGRESS, NOT PERFECTION! Perfection will set you up for failure. Progress is “inching forward” and improving each day. Remember God is with you always, and at all stages in your life.
Start the Breaking Good process today. It’s all about grace, that not only forgives, but empowers us to do better.
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