"I wish that people would stop_________, I hate it when she acts like ________, He just ruins my whole day when he __________".
Maybe today you find them hard to fill in, or maybe not. But we all have moments, days even, when it's been waaaaay to easy to fill in those blanks.
But do you know someone that can always seem to fill in these blanks and many more? So much that they appear as if to go through each day in a chronic state of irritation at others? They always seem to be angry at the things others do and say. And for that matter, what they don't do and say. Constantly frustrated. Always aggravated. Annoyed. The fact is, no matter how bad their day or mood is, it's always someone elses fault?
The truth is that they are trapped in the muck and mire of letting the actions of others control how they feel about and walk through their daily life.
And like an involuntary muscle spasm, they just can't help themselves from sharing publically how they feel. They never seem to realize how truly chronically negative they really are and how much they can spread that outlook to others around them. But misery loves company, right?
It's a slippery slope. Before long the habit develops, the routine begins, and the brains rewires itself in such a skewed fashion that all it seemingly recognizes are things (whether true or not) that result in that negative attitude and response.
For most people the flags that rise when they get around these situations are like the ones we see occasionally on a beach that warn us when the current is too strong to swim in, so we keep our distance. But to the individuals who have let the patterns become so skewed, these situations are like beacons calling to them into that rip tide and they once again find themselves swept away in drama and anger.
And even more sad is that each time this happens their heart hardens a little more.
I've been there myself. So I know how easy it is to fall into that behavior. I've thought everyone else was wrong and surely trying to be on my one last nerve, that the world would be much better if all in it thought the way I did, wishing they would just act the way I want them to, and stop jacking up my day.
I recently read a quote from Beth Moore that said "Oddly, the most freeing thing we can ever do is to abdicate the throne of our own miniature kingdoms.”
In other words - we have to climb down off the throne we have unwittingly created for ourselves and look outside the smallness of what we envision for our life. Now, you may say "but I have a HUGE vision for my life!" But is it your vision or His vision? If HE isnt on the throne of your life your vision is hindered and focused on you and how others affect you. His vision includes more importantly how YOUR life and actions affect others. That's your purpose - to affect others with the gifts and talents you have uniquely been given and point them to the ONE who can give them what they need - to find THEIR purpose!
When I was trapped in a negative cycle people who loved me ask me tough questions... When will you start wondering what it is YOU arent doing instead of what everyone else needs to do? What are YOU doing to change your circumstances to find His plan? What is it you arent getting that you need, and why is it you feel you "deserve" anything? What is it that you are REALLY angry about? Could it be because you havent done the work you know you should do to be able to fill in the gaping holes and blanks that exist in the physical, emotional, and spiritual areas of your life?
For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ 2 Corinthians 10:4-5
Our minds, when given over to Him, can drown out the whine of the enemy that says "its really THEM, its THEIR fault that you aren't _______, that you dont have _______, that you can't get _______".
What do we fill in our blanks with then?
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me — practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8-9
We fill them with the only ONE who can be our everything and who makes life worth living!
Marisa
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