I've been thinking recently about how we break unhelpful habits of thought and behaviour which we have developed over years or even a lifetime.
It's hard enough to avoid certain behaviour or thoughts when we have had enough sleep, are happy and are busy, but what about when we are tired, unhappy or have too much time on our hands?
One of these habits for me is sitting staring aimlessly at a computer screen sifting through pointless information on the internet when I am tired and should really be in bed. I know I am not really finding whatever it is I am looking for, but somehow can't drag myself away.
Whatever it is that we do which we know doesn't really do us any good, but somehow can't stop doing, I don't believe we can change habits until we have figured out why we follow that pattern of behaviour.
Then we need to find something else to fill that space.
Then we need to want it to fill the space.
And then we need to keep practising and practising until we've gradually learnt to think or act differently.
And even then we'll probably do it sometimes anyway.
But in all this, we need above all to be gentle and forgiving with ourselves. If we beat ourselves up about something then we'll only feel rubbish about ourselves and probably go straight back to that behaviour which we find some sort of temporary comfort or distraction in.
Recognition of a problem is the first step to overcoming the problem, for sure, but without the knowledge that we are secure and loved, we will struggle to replace a problem with anything other than another problem.
"I have loved you with an everlasting love" Jeremiah 31: 3
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