How Can You Overcome Vicious Circles?

Greed is easily attributed to those who deprive you of possessions, privileges, or a position. The critical question is, what do I yearn for and spend an inordinate amount of time thinking about? If it’s just wanting more, is it time to rearrange your priorities?

The initial drive to acquire things begins in childhood, innocently fostered by parents’ desire to provide their children with what they believe will make them happy. When given freedom of expression, greed has the power to distort common sense.

Overindulgence lays the foundation for being unable to impose self-boundaries. Desiring more, obtaining it, becoming discontented defines a vicious circle that produces entrapment and emptiness. Jesus offers a way out in Matthew 11:28-29: “Come to me all of you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me.” This invitation is for you. Why not accept it now? 

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And now fix your eyes on what is true and good and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely, and dwell on the fine, good things in others. Think about all the things you can praise God for and be glad about.

~Philippians 4:8 The Living Bible

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How Are Greed and Possessiveness Interrelated?

Greed reaches far beyond grasping for wealth. What gives greed power is the desire and will to possess. When a man or woman is too possessive, it equates to being excessively controlling, which creates suffering for all involved

The issue is lack of trust that evolves into a vicious circle, sometimes called a vicious cycle. Lack of trust creates the need to control, which limits freedom of choice. Eventually, conflict and crisis become the framework for a temporary solution until the vicious circle is regenerated.

Who can tolerate extreme possessiveness? Healthy relationships benefit each person’s need to be trusted and respected. In Mark 7:20-22 Jesus said what comes out of a person makes them unclean, like evil thoughts, deceit, envy, and greed. All of these are forgivable when they are surrendered to the cleansing power of God and are replaced with trust and respect as well as the choice to freely love one another.  

          

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Christ [Jesus] has set you free. This means you are really free. Now hold on to your freedom and don’t ever become slaves…again.

~Galatians 5:1 Contemporary English Version

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Can Vicious Circles Be Disrupted?

New generations are given an identity. The generation of the 1970s was called the me generation, labeled as greedy or self-centered. Greed describes a vicious circle comprised of acquiring, feeling discontented, and then repeating the circle.

An ancient philosopher noted, “There is no calamity greater than lavish desires, no greater guilt than discontentment, and no greater disaster than greed.” Economies depend on vicious circles of buying to satisfy desires and then becoming discontented again.

Listen to Habakkuk 2:5: “Wealth is deceitful. Greedy people are proud and restless,…and never satisfied.” This vicious circle can be disrupted by seeking spiritual wealth, which consists of faith and trust in Jesus Christ. Proverbs 10:22 is assuring: “The blessings of the Lord bring wealth with no troubles added on.” So count your blessings, name them one by one, and be truly surprised by what God has done.

                

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[Jesus said,] “Let not your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in me.” 

~John 14:1 Revised Standard Version

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What Comes to Your Mind When Greed Is Mentioned?

Greed is not a nice, attractive word, especially when it has personal implications. Most people are guilty of being greedy, if only momentarily. Has greed formed a vicious circle in your daily life? Greed is synonymous with possessiveness, with little consideration for what is right.

In the past, greed was listed as a deadly sin that sent a person to purgatory for an indefinite period of time. Greed has the potential of becoming an obsession, a passion for accumulating possessions and wealth. It can become more important than God or people.

Greed forms a vicious circle that captures the heart and the soul. Proverbs 8:18 teaches that wisdom should be our objective, for it is a gift from God. Listen to God's word:“I have riches and honor to give. What you get from me is better than the finest gold, better than the purest silver.” God is the source of wisdom that is capable of satisfying the heart and the soul. 

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Then [Jesus] said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”

~Luke 12:15 New International Version

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What Gives Vicious Circles So Much Power?

How would you describe a vicious circle as it applies to yourself? In the world of politics, past and present, men and women desperately have tried to win voters by promising to fix the problems in government, education, work, and society.

Promises are not easy to keep, so criticism and blame flood the media. Vicious circles become so entrenched that when effort is made to loosen their tenacious grip, it seems hopeless. Human beings seek hope even if it’s false hope based on partial truth.

Some folks grasp onto vicious circles of lying, trying to convince others a falsehood is actually truth. The problem with deception is, it alienates oneself from God and others. Deception can be replaced with truthfulness with God’s help, for “Greater is he that is in you than he who is in the world.”

Christ Jesus is the light for your life, who makes the way clear.                          

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Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right speak the truth from sincere hearts. [They] refuse to gossip or harm their neighbors or speak evil of their friends.

~Psalm 15:2-3 New Living Translation

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What Is It in Human Nature that Compels Us to Lie?

Children will refrain from telling the truth when punishment is imminent for noncompliance to boundaries. With some children the impulse to lie evolves into a circle of deception, confrontation, and punishment. Children distort the truth to obstruct fear and shame.

When lying has evolved into a vicious circle, it has become so ingrained that little thought is given to telling the truth, for it feels normal to lie. That sounds impossible to believe, for it’s so difficult to understand the power of entrapment that's involved in a vicious circle of lying.

Colossians 3:5 instructs: “You must put to death earthly desires such as sexual immorality, indecency, lust, evil passions and greed.” Verse 9 continues: “Do not lie to each other since you have taken off your old habits and have put on your new self that is being renewed in God its creator.” 

Christ in you is your hope for self-control. You can do this!                

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The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in those who tell the truth.

~Proverbs 12:22 New Living Translation

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Is It Possible to Escape from Vicious Circles?

Old habits are hard to break. I’m referring to alcohol, nicotine, pornography, street drugs, and to vicious circles that include negative, critical thought patterns. Habits can be unproductive and unhealthy by  damaging your self-image and personal relationships.

Habits are synonymous with repeating particular patterns of behavior and thinking to the point they dominate what is good and healthy about you. Habits become strong, which gives them power to override your better judgment and sound logic.

Proverbs 22:24-25 admonishes you: “Don’t make friends with people who have hot, violent tempers. You might learn their habits and be unable to escape.” Whatever vicious circle is controlling you now, God has the power to deliver and redeem you. If you’re willing, God will give you insight and faith, coupled with courage, to begin a new life in Christ Jesus, who came to seek and to save you now, today. 

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Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

~Mark 11:24 New International Version

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Is It Possible to Interrupt a Vicious Circle?

Getting stuck in traffic is the norm in cities like Houston. This situation is similar to vicious circles, when we get stuck in behavior or unproductive thoughts. Everyone is sometimes guilty of losing focus and failing to complete a task.

I’m sure you’ve experienced the pattern of good intentions by getting distracted and forgetting to do what you intended. A vicious circle, also called a vicious cycle, is finalized when regret follows failure to do a task when it was convenient and now the opportunity is lost forever.

The intentions of King Saul, God’s anointed king, may have been to follow God’s plan, but he failed to follow through, which resulted in tragedy and regret. Intervening in a vicious circle requires you to accept and follow sequential steps for completing God’s purpose, but first you must completely yield to what God is directing you to do. He gives you power and strength to make changes for your life that cannot be accomplished any other way.                          

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Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 

~Philippians 4:6-7 New International Version

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How Can Vicious Circles Be Overcome?

Someone noted that at the core of frustration is thinking, doing, or saying the same thing over and over expecting different results. This identifies a vicious circle. It’s comparable to a parent telling a child to do a specific task several times but without compliance.

As the parent bursts into angry threats, the child might comply. Then the parent feels guilty and helps the child do the task or entirely overlooks it. Parental patience can be interpreted as a lack of authority, which gives birth to vicious circles.

It’s important to structure patience with rules that are clearly understood and enforceable. Setting precise boundaries is the key to mastering self-control. 1 Peter 4:7 speaks to the issue: “Therefore be clear-minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.” Did you know that self-control is a prerequisite for praying? The power of prayer makes it possible to avoid conflict and overcome unproductive vicious circles. 

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Ask and keep on asking and it will be given to you, seek and keep on seeking and you will find, knock and keep on knocking and the door will be opened to you. 

~Matthew 7:7 Amplified Bible 

Therefore confess your sins to one another and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

~James 5:16 New International Version

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Do Personal Weaknesses Dominate Your Life?

A vicious circle is comparable to being stuck in a pattern of thinking and acting that produces negative results. When a threat arises to our well-being, the initial response is usually fear that may quickly transform into anger.

After an angry outburst, anxiety is prompted by the realization that emotional damage has taken place, made evident by the withdrawal of those subject to the angry outburst. Understanding the power of a vicious circle can be the beginning of healthy; productive change.

Anxiety is often followed by sadness, fostered by emotional and physical damage inflicted on yourself, another person, or a relationship. A vicious circle reflects a lack of self-control. Healing the damage caused by vicious circles begins by gaining and maintaining self-control. 

Self-control is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, made possible by loving God and surrendering everything to him.                     

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You did not choose me; I chose you and appointed you to go and bear much fruit, the kind of fruit that endures. And so the Father will give you whatever you ask of him in my name.

~John 15:16 Good News Bible

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How Do We Give Others a Taste of God's Goodness?

Without exception, Jesus commissions all believers to be salt of the earth and a light to the world. Narrowing down the world to whom we daily  encounter, it is possible to be salt and light. We do this by staying focused on who we represent so we will not become indifferent to others.

Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth and a light to the world.” Picture yourself enriching the lives of those you see each day with actions that prove Jesus is a part of your life. Imagine being a light that reflects the presence of God’s love to those who surround you.

Jesus encourages you to give others a taste of his goodness and kindness by the life you live. He challenges you to be a beacon that helps others navigate the darkness they encounter in their world. 

This is the purpose Jesus has called you to fulfill, and he promises to provide you with courage and eagerness to be that person. May God Bless you.     

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What marvelous love the Father has extended to us! Just look at it – we’re called children of God! That’s who we really are.

~1 John 3:1 The Message

Many are the plans of a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.

~Proverbs 19:21 New International Version

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How Can You Be the Person God Intended?

In Matthew 5:13 Jesus encourages us to be salt and light. Salt had the potential to keep meat pure as well as to enhance the flavor of food. Jesus prompts us to be his pure voice in what comprises our world.

Jesus used the symbol of light to remind us that we reflect the light of Jesus in our circle of activity. Jesus asks, “Where is the salt? Where is the light?” It’s difficult to remember what Jesus intends for us to be in a world of distractions.

1 Samuel 28 describes how Saul, King of Israel, permitted trust for God to lapse into careless disregard by seeking help from a woman who promised she could call up Samuel’s spirit from his grave. Saul needed Samuel’s advice, for he had abandoned his relationship with God by refusing to be salt and light as God intended. 

Being salt and light is a choice to love and serve God with your entire self.

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God has made us what we are. He has created us in Christ Jesus to live lives filled with good works that he has prepared for us to do.

~Ephesians 2:10 God’s Word Translation

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Do You Hate or Enjoy Life's Schedules?

The schedules for school, work, and home require structure for our lives, plus they appropriately provide meaning and purpose for us. We as individuals need definite times and places to be meaningfully engaged in life. We need loved ones to go home to, where love and affection are shared.

I realize life isn’t always pleasant or kind, so we may have to endure some stressed out ways of managing daily life and responsibilities. What’s amazing is how God has created us to be adaptable so we can feel joy by realizing he faithfully provides for our needs.

Even Jesus needed time to rest so he then could put himself back out into the world of people and work. God intended for us to do the work he designed for us, which includes being the salt of the earth and light of the world. This means letting others see what God can do with a life that’s dedicated to serving him. Be that person God has called.

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The Lord guides us in the way we should go and protects those who please him. If they fall, they will not stay down, because the Lord will help them up.

~Psalm 37:23-24 Good News Bible

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How Are Bad Thoughts Obstacles to Peace of MInd?

Being subject to vicious thoughts and feelings can be an obstacle to enjoying everyday life. These thoughts and feelings are comparable to experiencing physical or emotional restrictions like believing something is true, acting as if it is true, when in fact it is not true.

Be on your guard about being pulled into situations that have some semblance of truth but are stumbling blocks to God’s purpose and plan. King Saul’s disturbed thinking created such distrust that David, his faithful servant, had to flee for his life.

Lack of faith and trust in God were the cause of Saul’s troubles that led to his death and the death of Jonathan, his son. James 1:21-22 tell you how to manage malicious thoughts and evil people: “Submit yourself to God and accept the words he plants in your heart. These words will save you. Do not just listen to God’s word; put it into practice each day.” His word is trustworthy. 

       

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Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as though you were working for the Lord, and not for people. In fact, the Lord Christ is the one you are really serving, and you know he will reward you.

~Colossians 3:23-24 Good News Bible/Contemporary English Version 

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