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When I found my way back to the Lord I met an older woman at church and befriended her. She was really kind. But she had a critical spirit. The target was primarily her husband. The behavior often develops from a spirit of rejection which opens the door to criticism, bitterness, and a root of bitterness if it continues. She had the latter and God delivered her from it.
As with all spiritual challenges, prayer and fasting are important. But there’s the human element which plays a part on our response to hardships. The successful result for one may not yield the same for the next.
You have to understand the triggers and habits which keep you in the cycle and exacerbate its presence. It can be a word, behavior, or recollection which sets you off. Pinpointing it takes time. Casting it down and refuting the lie with the truth is a must.
Writing it down helps. Find scriptures that support the godly response in its place. And it’s important to understand your payoff. What benefit does the behavior serve? Is it protecting you or punishing someone else through others?
When you confront the hole in your sidewalk you can choose a different response. I found this poem years ago and it’s a good reminder to hold onto.
Chapter I
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 a way out.
Chapter II
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I pretend I don’t see it.
I fall in again.
I can’t believe I am in the same place.
But it isn’t my fault.
It still takes a long time to get out.
Chapter III
I walk down the same 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.
Chapter IV
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.
Chapter V
I walk down another street.
As with all spiritual challenges, prayer and fasting are important. But there’s the human element which plays a part on our response to hardships. The successful result for one may not yield the same for the next.
You have to understand the triggers and habits which keep you in the cycle and exacerbate its presence. It can be a word, behavior, or recollection which sets you off. Pinpointing it takes time. Casting it down and refuting the lie with the truth is a must.
Writing it down helps. Find scriptures that support the godly response in its place. And it’s important to understand your payoff. What benefit does the behavior serve? Is it protecting you or punishing someone else through others?
When you confront the hole in your sidewalk you can choose a different response. I found this poem years ago and it’s a good reminder to hold onto.
Chapter I
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 a way out.
Chapter II
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I pretend I don’t see it.
I fall in again.
I can’t believe I am in the same place.
But it isn’t my fault.
It still takes a long time to get out.
Chapter III
I walk down the same 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.
Chapter IV
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.
Chapter V
I walk down another street.
