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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