Break The Cycle
Cycles are something I am far too familiar with. So easy to form, yet so difficult to break. I know some of you reading this might be able to relate. It’s a horrible feeling to keep making the same mistakes over and over again. When I began to understand the depth of cycles from a spiritual perspective, breakthrough started to happen. Sometimes we miss the mark if we don’t realise that as believers we go through spiritual warfare. One thing I realised the enemy will use against us is our own minds. He will use our minds like a battlefield, but in every battle there is a winner and with Jesus you & I have already won the battle.
It’s easy to feel fed up when you have been fighting the same battles and losing. Sometimes you might even overcome it, but months or years later you find yourself back in the same cycles. In these moments it can feel as though God isn’t listening but he see’s you and he hears you. When I reflect on two of the main things that can keep us stuck in the same cycles. That is our mindset and our heart posture.
Mindset:
Our minds are so powerful, the things we give our minds to will be what controls our lives. I realised that that the enemy had my mind when I would constantly think about everything opposite to what God’s word said about me. How did the enemy manage to do this? He preys on our most vulnerable moments and uses our past against us. Many of us have had traumatic experiences, and the last thing you expect someone to do with their trauma is praise God for what he’s brought them through. Instead, we ask God why did I have to go through this or blame him for it. This is how the enemy gets us to doubt God by developing thoughts like “if God really loved me he wouldn’t allow this to happen”. Over time our minds get filled with doubt, anger, fear and we begin to do things our way not God’s way. Our thoughts often determines our actions, and with negative thoughts comes negative actions that will affect us spiritually. Leaving us in a viscous cycle, where only God can reveal the roots.
The bible says “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:2.
By allowing God to renew my mind I developed a new way of thinking. I didn’t allow the enemy to use my trauma against me. God didn’t allow me to be abandoned because he didn’t love me, in my pain and confusion he was my mother and my father when I needed that the most. In everything he showed me much grace. And God also wants to give you grace. I had to make an important decision I could continue to listen to the lies of the enemy which was destroying me or I could listen to what God says about me. Everyone has a story to tell, I once asked God why me? and then I thought why not me? Everything God has brought me through has allowed me to be closer to him, love him and understand him. If it’s one thing I learnt is that what the enemy meant for evil, God will always use it for his good. “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.”Genesis 50:20. Everything happens for the purpose and will of God. The more you spend time with him the more you understand his thoughts towards you.
Unforgiving heart
To set yourself free, you must forgive. Ask God to heal your heart for whatever pain you’ve been through. Forgiving those who’ve done you wrong is the starting point of setting yourself free from cycles. Often times we remember to forgive others and we give grace to others but you must remember to also forgive yourself. Truly forgive yourself, if you don’t, this is how the enemy use your mistakes to keep you stuck. Lastly, when you confess your sins to God and ask for forgiveness, believe that you are forgiven. Don’t allow the enemy to plant seeds of disbelief. He wants you to believe that you’ve made too many mistakes to be forgiven, or that you’ve gone too far in sin that you can’t be forgiven. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” I John 1:9
The bible says ““So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:36. So from now on walk in that freedom that Jesus gave you. You no longer have to live in fear and frustrations. He has renewed your mind and set you free. If you focus on his word, spend time in his presence then your thoughts will be more like His thoughts.
