Some problems may require much help and counseling, whether formal or informal. But many other problems don’t require that. A couple light-hearted yet insightful views on the topic:
Homer: Marge, I want you to admit you have a gambling problem.
Marge: You know, you’re right, Homer. Maybe I should get some professional help.
Homer: No, no! That’s too expensive. Just don’t do it anymore.
Then there’s this must-watch video with Bob Newhart:
Seriously, many of the wrong things we do can be stopped with right thinking. You don’t have to psychoanalyze your childhood, blame your parents and/or society and make yourself the victim.
We can decide what to think. And it isn’t just not thinking bad thoughts, but about filling our minds with true and good things and letting God’s truths transform our minds.
Philippians 4:6-8 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Romans 12:1-2 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
So consider the bad habits weighing you down and learn to counter them when those thoughts pop into your mind. Take Homer’s advice and just don’t do them anymore.
Or if that is too wordy, take Bob’s advice and just stop it!
Hat tip for the Bob Newhart video: Musings from a Theo-Geek (great blog!)
I sent this to some NANC people at church, and they thought it was hilarious!
Marie, I forgot to give you a hat tip for this since you had the video on Facebook. I’ll add it tonight. Thanks!
Sent from my iPhone
I’ve always been a big Newhart fan, especially his original show. His standup routine was always the best (I have a CD and played “The Driving Instructor” for the kids as they learned to drive).
I agree with both Homer and Bob – sometimes it’s easy to just stop doing it (whatever it is that gets in our way).
Admittedly, that doesn’t work for everyone for everything. For instance, I used to smoke. (This was 18 years ago!) When I quit I just quit. No therapy, no patches, nothing. Just cold turkey.
My buddy still smokes to this day after numerous attempts to quit, patches, therapy, you name it. Not everyone is the same.
Sure everybody’s the same. When it comes to smoking, everybody thinks of the wrong thing. They think patches and pills and other techniques will get it done. What gets it done is never smoking again no matter how badly it sucks. When people understand that it’s gonna suck to quit no matter what else they try, then the decision is more plain; one either does what they know they must or the they refuse to. As bad as it sucks to quit, it is no where near impossible.
I think this probably works for a lot of bad habits.
That’s exactly what I’ve found, too. I threw away my ashtrays, and stopped buying cigarettes. Just stopped. Then I told my husband that I had stopped, to seal the deal (it’s harder to go back on something you’ve quit if you tell somebody else you’ve quit it — humiliation is as good a motivation as any other).
Marshall, this isn’t true. For me it didn’t suck at all. I quit smoking and really never missed it.
I think you’re likely in the minority. Withdrawals are not fun. They suck. That’s not to say they are anywhere impossible to ignore or endure, however. In my case, having made the decision to abstain no matter how badly it did suck likely reduced the suckiness substantially. But I think for most people, some degree of suckiness does indeed occur. I’m glad you didn’t experience it.
“I think you’re likely in the minority.” That was my original point.
Bob Newhart is great!
I think it helps to have someone you trust to be accountable to. If you really want to succeed, it doesn’t hurt to make it as easy as possible to do the right thing.
Well said. Accountability groups / partners are key success factors for successful living.