We are looking at the reality that our mind patterns, if unhealthy, lead us into all kinds of misery.
Yesterday we looked at the mind pattern that led me into poor food choice for oh, so many years. I discovered that picturing the outcome of what I was about to eat in terms of how I would feel was a successful way to reverse the sequence, as it began to deter me from the bad choices.
Another mind pattern is the stress of preparing for any event, any deadline, any out of the ordinary circumstance.
Moving, a dinner party, a work deadline, traveling for a period of time, Christmas--all require prep outside of the usual.
Without fail, stress, bickering, and ridiculous expectations jump onto the scene.
You are packing for a trip? You suddenly just have to put that finishing touch on cleaning or a home improvement that you have put off for months.
A work deadline? All of the procrastination suddenly becomes breeding ground for yelling at everybody though they are not the reason you are late.
When something out of the ordinary is in the works, begin by picturing the end result. Write it out if you need to. Then work backwards. Reverse the sequence.
Here is an example: you are packing for a trip? Get the suitcase completely ready before you allow yourself the luxury of getting the house in order.
Dinner party? Set the table and prepare the food before you tackle the yard, the house, and heaven knows what else your mind tempts you to suddenly just have to do.
The conspiracy of our mind leads us to get all entwined with tasks that take us away from the goal. Then we are sure to be miserable and unproductive.
Maybe God is saying to reverse the sequence, keep the goal as the goal, and not have the extras take over our moods.
In the bombardment of this world--its choices, its dazzling array of all things unattainable--it is a constant effort to feed our strength by choosing our goal and the most practical way to get there.
