Have you ever just felt… stuck? Stuck in a habit, thought, pattern, relationship, or attitude?
I’m just a little OCD about double checking that doors and windows are locked… When I was a little girl, I vividly remember beginning this silly routine where each night before I went to bed, I would double check that the doors and windows were locked… and then I’d triple check.
Now, in my mid-twenties, I still find myself double and triple checking. A silly habit begun as a kid after watching a scary movie or news clip has morphed into a habit I can’t seem to break.
Is this bad? Not necessarily. Ensuring you’re safe is a good thing. However, when a habit or mental pattern masters you, rather than you mastering it, it’s an addiction.
On my becoming journey, I don’t want to relinquish control to anything or anyone other than what God can do in me. I don’t want to be controlled by thoughts, feelings, food, substances, people, or even childhood routines like triple checking the locks. I want to walk in the freedom of being unstuck.
2 Corinthians 10:5 says “…we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” We take every thought. Not just one or two thoughts, but every, single thought. As I read this verse, my mind drifts to every little place not controlled by Jesus—my frustrated response to a friend; my feelings of insecurity when I wasn’t invited to that event; my anger at injustice; my temptation to turn to food to make me feel better; and, yes, my addiction to making sure I’ve locked the doors even when I know they’re secure.
So, how do I combat the junk that seeps into my mind? Both the ugly and the not-so-ugly that compete for first place, above Christ? 5-4-3-2-1.
My Dad first introduced me to Mel Robbins, one of the most sought-after speakers in the world, best-selling author & creator of the 5-Second Rule. Mel coaches people, “If you can count 5 – 4 – 3 – 2 – 1, you can change your life.” This story is true of Mel. Finding herself at rock bottom… completely stuck… she watched on TV one night as a space shuttle prepared for take off. 5-4-3-2-1, BLAST OFF. As she watched the shuttle take off for outer space, she resolved, tomorrow, I’m going to get out of bed and begin taking my best next step by counting backwards, 5-4-3-2-1. Those five tiny numbers changed Mel’s entire life. And they’re changing mine too.
Mel shares truth: “Change is simple. The problem is us—we make it complicated.” In my door-checking addiction, the change agent is simple: I just need to stop double checking the locks. Embracing 2 Corinthians 10:5, I am taking my habit captive, applying the 5-Second Rule, and 5-4-3-2-1 changing.
The same is true for anything in our lives—whether you feel trapped in an unhealthy relationship; overspend on items you know you don’t need, but want to impress your friends; are living with your boyfriend even though you know it’s not best; reach for the bag of Oreos when you feel at an emotional low; hit snooze on your alarm even though you promised your workout partner you’d meet them at the gym… the list goes on. Wherever you find yourself today… 5-4-3-2-1 GO. Grab ahold of 2 Corinthians 10:5 with both hands and stop making change so complicated. Lace up your warrior boots and take your next step. And then the next and the next.
