christian

Originally posted at: http://www.theresstillhope.org

I have created a very simple way to understand the cycle of our acting-out behaviors.

• I see it.
• I think it.
• I plan it.
• I do it.
• I hate it.
• I cover it.
• I do it again.

James said pretty much the same thing.

“When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death” (James 1:13-15).

The solution to repeating our unwanted behavior is to catch it quickly. Starve your eyes of fresh images. And when past images pop into your mind, shut them down immediately.

Recovery Step: Commit today to quit taking in images you should not have. And quit thinking about the images that are already there. There is no other way to escape the cycle of addiction.

Originally posted at: http://www.theresstillhope.org

Here’s an interesting verse. “If the root is holy, so are the branches” (Romans 11:16).

Here’s how that works on a practical level – in your mind. A study in Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience concluded that self-affirmation activates brain networks related to one’s sense of identity, as well as being future-oriented. Other studies have shown how negative or positive thinking affects the immune system.

Translation: plant positive, affirming seeds in your mind, and the body will respond accordingly.

Do you know the cycle of addiction? It goes like this: (a) think it, (b) plan it, (c) do it, (d) hate it, (e) cover it, (f) do it again. It starts with what you think – the root.

Recovery Step: Focus less on what you do and more on what you think.