There are millions of people who feel they are hopelessly trapped in self-destructive habits.
Those locked in negative behavior patterns are often in denial about their problems, or they don’t know how to escape them. In effect, they need to re-learn how to live a normal life. But, by doing so, they can once again find peace and happiness. They can learn to get their life back.
Breaking the cycle of self-destruction is not easy. But, there is always reason to hope.
“Autobiography in Five Chapters”
This poem by Portia Nelson portrays a story of both desperation and hope …
I walk down the street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I fall in. I am lost … I am helpless. It isn’t my fault. It takes forever to find a way out.
I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I pretend I don’t see it. I fall in again. I can’t believe I am in the same place. But, it isn’t my fault. It still takes me a long time to get out.
I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I see it is there. I still fall in. It’s a habit. My eyes are open. I know where I am. It is my fault. I get out immediately.
I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I walk around it.
I walk down another street.
(Portia Nelson)
Different Types of Struggles
That story of breaking the cycle of self-destruction is a drama that plays out in millions of lives.
There are many people who struggle to overcome alcohol problems. Others fight a battle with prescription pills, or can’t seem to overcome an addiction with pornography.
Over-eating is a battle fought by millions, and compulsive spending is a hidden compulsion for many more. Others suffer ongoing feelings of despair and seem unable to find their way out of that darkness.
And this cycle is repeated by many people who don’t think they have a problem at all.
Their issue may be anger, and they rationalize it’s not a big deal. Or pride creates problems they refuse to recognize. Perhaps they remain in denial that their work ethic has become workaholism.
Breaking the Cycle of Self-Destruction
Many people become trapped in a cycle of self-destructive behavior, doing the same thing over and over again. They don’t want to be there. They just are.
As shameful realization creeps in, denial becomes a convenient escape. These patterns of living are not pleasant, but they are familiar, so many people remain stuck for quite some time.
Changing their behavior is hard, and there are likely setbacks along the way. But, dawning self-awareness can lead to resilience as they begin to face their issues and surrender them to God. Hopefully, they find their “Why”—their personal reason to change their life.
As they grow stronger, they learn to make better choices. And they build positive habits to help them change their behavior. This new way of living—knowing what to do—leads to hope.
And they learn how to find peace and happiness, one day at a time. By re-learning how to live.
Question: Do you know anyone struggling with breaking the cycle of self-destruction?
Action: Use the links above to learn Why, What, and How to deal with compulsive issues.
Photo by quinn.anya Photo by Schwarzkaefer
