Break the Cycle

A few weeks ago I copied this from the page of my facebook friend, Janet Nunn.

It was a photo from a sign with no author attributed. It speaks to a need felt by so many people who feel trapped, and seemingly unable to break a negative cycle in their life.

Be the person who breaks the cycle.

If you were judged, choose understanding.

If you were rejected, choose acceptance.

If you were shamed, choose compassion.

Be the person you needed to be when you were hurting, not the person who hurt you.

Vow to be better than what broke you.

To heal instead of becoming bitter, so you can act from your heart, not your pain.

A few brief thoughts from your contemplation.

#1 Hurting people hurt others. When we’re hurt by someone, we often lash out and hurt other people. Maybe family. Friends. Co-workers. Or brethren. It may help us to see why people often hurt others. It’s because they themselves are hurting. 

#2 If you are perpetuating bad attitudes, poor communication skills, inappropriate responses that you’ve learned from your environment, realize you owe to it to your family and friends and to yourself to rise above your past.

#3 You can change. However you were raised, or whatever background you came from, or regardless of the circumstances of your life, you can rise above it. Choose to change.

#4 Get help by seeking godly counsel from a qualified person with Biblical values.

#5 God loves you. Cares for you. And wants to help you. Turn to Him. To His Word. Cast all your cares upon the Lord, He cares for you (1 Pet. 5:7).

#6 While the road to breaking the cycle of negatively in your life, will undoubtably be difficult, you can do it. Make Paul’s proclamation your motto: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13).

Thanks Janet for sharing this powerful piece with great advice.

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman

To read past posts from our new column facebook Friday, click here.