Do you ever ask yourself, “How did I get here?” or, “Didn’t this happen last year? (last week? yesterday?) Don’t we sometimes, all of a sudden, find ourselves on a path or in a situation we didn’t think could happen to us and certainly never saw coming? Or ignored it even if we did see disaster ahead? Last week I wrote on ignoring trouble hoping it will go away in “Trouble DeConstructed”

Today, here is one very simple statement, that if you are someone who struggles with making the same mistakes over and over again, and you can recognize the potential in this statement, can change your life.

Your past points to the fact that you are MORE susceptible in this area (insert your sitch here) THAN THE AVERAGE PERSON. Consequently, YOU CANNOT be content with AVERAGE BOUNDARIES.

Seriously. If you can grasp this concept, if you can admit that you CANNOT put yourself in that position, your life can change. When you admit that you can’t go to that bar. That you can’t say yes to everyone. That you can’t spend money like that. Instead of telling ourselves that we CAN’T- we tell ourselves that we SHOULDN’T and in essence giving ourselves permission to do just that which we SHOULDN’T DO! For example:

“I shouldn’t have that second piece of cake, but little Johnny just graduated.”
“I shouldn’t go hangout with the booty caller, but I’m lonely.”
“I shouldn’t have this shot of tequila, but I had a rough week.”

Instead, swap the “shouldn’t(s)” with CANNOT.

“I CANNOT have that second piece of cake, but thank you for offering.”
“I CANNOT hangout with you, Mr. Booty-caller, I value my relationship with God more than my time with you.”
“I CANNOT have this shot of tequila, it makes me physically ill and do very stupid things.”

See the difference?

“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are.” 1 Peter 5: 8-9