Big things happen in all of our lives that we’d rather not deal with. We wish we could skip over them and pretend they don’t exist. But they do. It may be a broken relationship we don’t want to confront. It could be a devastating crisis that’s so overwhelming we have no idea how we can move on. Or, it may be something that’s gone on too long, kept growing, and now it’s far more difficult to deal with than if we’d stopped it right when it started.
How do you react to a situation you’d rather not face? Pull the covers over your head and go back to sleep – or get up and meet it head on, accepting it must be done? It’s a choice like a fork in the road: ignore it and make it worse, or deal with it in a healthy way and get through it so it can heal, even though it may be painful.
Let’s think about the consequences of ignoring “the elephant in the room.” First of all, it didn’t get there on its own. It had to be let in and fed until it grew so big it wouldn’t fit back through the door. It moved in.
Do you have an “elephant” you’ve been living with? What’s its “name”?
Procrastination? Self-neglect instead of self-care? Paralyzing fear, or anxiety or grief? Out-of-control clutter or paperwork? A conflict with someone that started small or happened long ago that over time choked out the love you used to have? A bad habit that controls your life every day? A health issue you’re afraid to see the doctor about because you fear what the answer may be? Something else?
Now, let’s shine the light of truth on this list. Can you find even one of these situations that will solve itself? How about one that won’t require effort? Me neither. It’s easy to put things off that we don’t want to do, but by doing so they will steal our happiness, health, freedom, contentment, and peace. No one would willingly sign up for that, but that’s exactly what will happen over time if we give up, get lazy, and let the “elephant” grow.
How You Can Break the Cycle
- First, shift your thinking and choose to change.
- Don’t be overwhelmed by thinking about everything all at once. Start small.
- Then, one at a time, make the better choice at every fork in the road throughout the day. There will be more forks at the start, but it will become easier and less stressful to take the right path as you consistently follow through on better choices. It will naturally motivate you to make more of them as you see results.
- Keep going and know it’s ok to ask for help.
Among the many trustworthy and strong promises God has specifically given to believers in His Word, the Bible, we find that He Himself will help us. Isaiah 41:10 (NLT) tells us this:
“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”
When King David’s life was in danger, he wrote these words about God’s powerful help from first-hand experience in Psalm 34:17-19 (NLT):
“The Lord hears His people when they call to Him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those whose spirits are crushed. The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time.”
There’s the Lord’s part, ready and waiting. Our part is to accept His help and do what He asks us to do through our conscience, common sense, and the motivation of our heart. Can you hear Him now as you think about what you need to change or surrender. Say yes and begin a clean start right now.
Facing life and all its challenges with God’s help will change your life for the better in every situation. Try it His way this time!
RESET HIGHER: What will you face today that you’ve been putting off? Do you choose to change? Will you say a prayer to God for help right now, then do your part?
