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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Promises vs. Intentions

What promises to do you consider God has made to you personally? The undeserving Jacob was a recipient of a personal promise so bountiful he could not comprehend the full extent of what it included. In response Jacob offered a declaration that the Lord would be his God all the days of his life. He also promised to give God a tenth of all he acquired.

 

Which promises does God expects you to honor? The answer might be all of them because it reflects your person-hood and character. Some individuals make promises in the heat of a crisis and recant them when the heat of the moment dissipates. Have you made promises just to appease God or others with no intention of keeping them?

God is faithful to keep his promises, and he will never be slow in doing what he promises to do. God loves you and wants you to have trust and confidence in him and his word. When you make a promise to God, he will provide what is needed for you to remain true to your promise. Isn’t that good news! 

Beware of Good Intentions

Good intentions covered over with DECEPTION never produce a

godly outcome but open the door to pain and suffering. Rebekah, the mother of Jacob and Esau, was determined that Jacob would receive their father Isaac’s blessing. She was willing to deceive her husband to make sure it happened.

Where there is lack of faith and trust, there is fear. Fear then gives rise to extreme self-centeredness and a fiery self-determination. There is no evidence Rebekah consulted God concerning her plan of deception. Isn’t it like us to act independently, setting our own plans in motion, only to experience the worse possible consequences?

When Rebekah informed Jacob of her scheme, he was initially reluctant, but her persuasive skills were too precisely honed to resist. So, he became a full participant in her deception, unaware of what it would cost him. Psalm 119 identifies the character strength of resistance we need. “I refuse to walk in the paths of evil.” This can be your choice. God will bless you.