I had an interesting conversation with a friend recently. We were talking about how our lives are a battlefield. It seems we go from one tussle to the next without a break in between.
How about you? Have you ever felt that way?
Also, have you ever noticed that the struggles we face often have similar patterns?
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My go-to reaction early on in life was to get angry. Whenever something went sideways or I didn’t understand an issue, I’d get angry. And I can tell you from my wealth of experience that anger rarely produces anything but bitter fruit.
I kept on circling that same mountain of: trigger – anger – bad results – repentance. Rinse and repeat for years. Until one day, I got smart and actually looked at the results of my life’s pattern. The anger that I struggled with wasn’t always seen. I’d often hide it underneath silence until I couldn’t take it any longer and it would come spilling out on any poor bystander (usually hubs, sorry Jamie!).
Unfortunately, I was defrauding myself of my prize. I kept myself from winning and I had no one to blame but myself.
An interesting conversation and personal responsibility
I like the words “let no one” in the verse from Colossians. It gives us the key to hanging on to our prize: personal responsibility.
It is easier to blame others for what has gone wrong in life. Indeed, people can hurt us by their words or actions. But we have the responsibility to not allow those things to have power over us. Let no one defraud you, including yourself.
I found these “let not” steps to take to escape my never-ending cycle. Maybe they will help you, too.
- Recognize that you are the one responsible for allowing the cycle to repeat. Let go of the reins of your live and allow God to have control (Proverbs 3:5-6).
- Return to the Lord and surrender to His plans. This means spending time to build a relationship with Him.
- Resist the temptation (James 4:7) to be unforgiving toward those whose actions/words have harmed us (Matthew 6:15). For more about forgiveness, click here.
- Rest in the knowledge that God’s plans are better (Hebrews 6:15).
As you go about your day today (and every day), give the reins of your life to God, and don’t let yourself be defrauded of the prize that God has waiting for you. I can promise you that it’s well worth the effort.
