Self control is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. If you have accepted Christ, it resides within you. Satan, a powerful enemy, understands this. Our temptations are many and varied. We all have weaknesses, we are all sinners...that does not make us bad people! We make bad choices and there are consequences for those behaviors.
A pathology begins to exist when we surround ourselves only with people who enable the behaviors and refuse to accept help from people who care. Examining why we behave the way that we do or hearing it from others is too much reality to face. It is always much easier to bury the truth under substances and activities designed to numb pain.
Breaking this cycle can only happen with God's help. Accepting that we are powerless over the temptations, asking for forgiveness, and praying for help and healing are key. Discipline then becomes a daily exercise to stretch our faith and flex our Godly muscles. Our relationships with people we love can begin to be restored and we can live with hope and joy!
A prayer for those struggling with toxic behaviors:
Powerful God, you alone know my heart and my weaknesses. Forgive me for the actions that hurt me and the people that I love. I have less control than I would like to have over the dark forces that exist all around me. Remind me to turn to you in times of weakness and assist me in strengthening my discipline and self control. In Christ's name, AMEN.
Proverbs 3:11-12
