To answer before listening—that is folly and shame ~Proverbs 18:13
As creatures of habit we develop certain reactions to anxiety, most of which are not healthy. All too often, these reactions comes as a result of our past experiences and tend to follow us into adulthood. And although we have become accustomed to these impulses, we want to become responders, not reactors.
Our strategy this week is centered around making a better game-time decision when navigating anxiety. This strategy requires us to become more aware of our intentions in order to position us to respond instead of react to our emotionally charged impulses, regardless of the situation.
Truth is we don’t like to feel anxious, stressed, bored, or insecure and because of this we seek to change the way we feel through all sorts of vices designed to incite pleasure or avoid pain.
Keep in mind, relying on our feelings will only lead us astray. Feelings are fickle and follow wantonly after our thoughts. And although feelings are generally easier to identify, they are typically just a product of how we think about and interpret certain situations.
Given that our thoughts motivate our reactions and therefore inform our habits, it is beneficial to look underneath our behavior to help us identify what is really going on. Doing so will help us understand the story we are telling ourselves about certain situations and why they affect us the way they do.
All things considered, it will take a commitment to think differently—to see your self, your world, and your needs in a different way.
The point here is to dig deeper. Look beyond the behavior to what is driving your reaction. The closer we get to understanding the motivation behind our reaction, the more equipped we become in making a better game-time decision next time around.
Be bold. Be brave. Be free.
Tell Me More:
- What situation causes you to react with a negative attitude, thought pattern or habitual behavior?
- Can you isolate the feelings and thoughts connected to your reaction? What story do they tell?
- Prayerfully consider how God can help you reframe this particular situation and become more mindful when it presents itself again.