There is a much used phrase that says “Don’t bleed on those who didn’t cut you”.

I believe that so often we don’t even get to the point of deciding who to bleed on.

The cut just oozes out onto everything and everyone around us.

Wounds from a lifetime ago still bleed when they remain infected and open.

To expect a wound to stop oozing whilst pouring dirt into it is like expecting a bucket with holes to stop leaking when water gets poured continuously into it.

What if the wound is painful but that pain is familiar and we hold fast to the lie that we need it to keep functioning ?

Familiarity, even when toxic can be comforting, so we feed it, protect it at any cost, and even nurture it.

Our wound can be so infested with muck but even as deeply uncomfortable as that pain once was, it has now become familiar and normal- even comforting in a strange way.

Losing that “normal” is like losing a limb so the cycle of nurturing it continues.

Something has to change in order to stop the cycle- it cannot just be wished away as we continue to do as we always did.

The expression “ if you always do what you always did , you’ll always get what you always got “ holds a lot of truth.

Expecting a different outcome from the same pattern is irrational.

A conscious change is the only way to break through old debilitating patterns.

The painful process of letting go of former things, habits, mindsets and behaviors begins with a decision that change, as hard as it is, is possible and begins right now.

The longer we procrastinate the further away the chance of healing gets.

An addict that procrastinates about freedom but never puts down the drug will never be free. As long as they entertain the addiction, the addiction will hold them captive. For them to just wish it away will keep them wishing on a star and still very much addicted.

Change in outcome requires change in the how things are done. That change requires a complete uprooting of that weed that grows and overtakes everything good and healthy.

There is a plant in Atlanta called kudzu that drapes itself over and around the natural vegetation. This however is a parasitic plant that covers the tree it attaches itself to and blocks all sunlight to the host, slowly killing it.

It is pretty to look at and yet deadly to the natural vegetation of the area. It is often referred to as “the vine that ate the south”.

How appropriate is that as an analogy of our weeds that eat away our peace and well being? We can look so good and healthy on the outside whilst being eaten up on the inside.

The effort to get rid of kudzu is astronomical and rather pointless as it is relentless in its regrowth.

It can be so frustrating to try to eliminate our weeds/ wounds when they just keep coming back in different forms.

Change is not easy. In fact I’d say it’s almost impossible especially when we are decades into grooming our unhealthy habits.

But God!

The One against whom no stronghold can stand.

In Isaiah 54:17 it is written that “No weapon forged against you shall prosper”.

It goes on to say that YOU will be able to silence any voice that comes up against you (with Gods power). It doesn’t say that He will silence it. It says that you will. He gives you that ability and the wisdom needed to execute.

We can do it.

We, with Gods strength in us, are able to heal from every familiar wound and every cosy yet costly stronghold. We may have walked with a limp for our entire lives and be able to lose it this year.

The beginning of a new habit starts with a decision. There has to be a need for change and an acknowledgement of our reliance on Him to achieve it.

The mere possibility of a familiar ball and chain being removed may be incredibly daunting. If you can just dare to imagine a life where you can see clearly, smell fresh air and wake up each morning without regret or heaviness then you have the chance to make that your new reality!

Philippians 4 says that I can do ALL things through CHRIST who strengthens me.

I can. You can. Only because HE can.