I Want Off!

Cycle: any complete round or series of occurrences that repeats or is repeated.

Some of the best childhood memories are trips to the park.

We could ride bikes or fly kites.

We could play on the swing, the slide, and the monkey bars.

Let's not forget about hopscotch and jump rope.

Last but not least, there was the merry-go-round.

One person would run really fast around in a circle and then jump on to enjoy the ride.

Around and around we would go.

Laughter and joy could be heard for miles.

If the start was strong, the merry go round could go on for what seemed like forever.

In some instances, the only way to get off before it stopped was... to jump.

---

Sometimes life situations can encourage us to respond in ways that serve as a defense mechanism.

Personality and character traits develop as a result of the need to protect ourselves, or so we think.

We begin to live, work, interact with others, and sometimes raise our children from these patterns of behavior.

Every time a life situation happens, we automatically respond, how we always respond.

It is then that we board the merry-go-round that life has created, and a cycle is born.

A cycle that provides a sense of security.

However, if the pattern of behavior we have created does not line up with scripture, the security it provides is false, and is sure to fail us.

If not corrected, it also threatens to harm to the generations to come.

---

The realization of this faulty security system creates a question that needs to be answered:

Every time we're faced with a challenging situation, will we continue to respond the way we've always responded?

If the answer is yes, we have enrolled in a lifetime of unhealthy cycles.

But....

We have a choice.

We can stay on the merry-go-round in unhealthy cycles.

Or..

We can declare "I want off!"

"I want off of this merry go round and out of this cycle."

Now the question is "How?"

The only way out, is the only Way in.

---

Jesus said to him,

“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me."

John 14:6

---

In relationship with God through Jesus Christ, we learn the best way to handle life.

Jesus is the only way to God and He is the only way to successfully get out of cycles of unproductive patterns of behavior.

The truth is, we will experience difficult times.

Instead of choosing a cycle of unhealthy behaviors, created as a defense mechanism, we can make a different choice.

We can choose to entrust our lives to God and rest in the fact that we are heaven's responsibility.

Our Heavenly father's care and protection of us is far better than anything we could ever do for ourselves.

---

He keeps you from all evil and preserves your life. He keeps his eye upon you as you come and go and always guards you.

Psalms 121: 7-8

I lie down and sleep, and all night long the Lord protects me.

Psalms 3:5

The Lord is my light and my salvation. Should I fear anyone? The Lord is a fortress protecting my life. Should I be frightened of anything?

Psalms 27:1

Be strong! Be fearless! Don’t be afraid and don’t be scared by your enemies, because the Lord your God is the one who marches with you. He won’t let you down, and he won’t abandon you.

Deuteronomy 31:6

---

The process to change unproductive patterns of behavior is not always easy.

It is, however, necessary for us to properly guard our hearts and make forward progress.

We have to make the choice to say "I want off!" and jump out of unhealthy cycles.

Let us be careful not to allow life situations to alter the masterpiece God has created us to be.

We are not victims of life.

We are victorious in the One that is life, Jesus Christ.

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!

1 Corinthians 15:57

---

For Reflection

1. Do I have behavior patterns that are falsely serving as a defense mechanism?

2. Are there unhealthy cycles that are operating in my life and in the lives of those closest to me?

3. Are there areas of my life that I need to entrust to the care of God?

Scriptures:

John 14:6

Psalms 121: 7-8

Psalms 3:5

Psalms 27:1

Deuteronomy 31:6

1 Corinthians 15:57