ASK YOURSELF

Thoughts for Today
Yesterday we talked about being honest concerning life-controlling problems. Sometimes it is hard to identify this kind of problem. Below are some questions to ask yourself. Your answers will help identify a dependency or behavior that is pulling you down.

Is my behavior practiced in secret?
Can it meet the test of openness? Or do I hide it from family and friends?
Does this behavior pull me away from my commitment to Christ or those who care about me?
Does it express Christian love?
Is this behavior used to escape feelings?
Does it have a negative effect on myself or others?

Can you identify a relationship or behavior or substance that is trapping you? The only way to escape the trap is to come to a point where you resolve to live a life free of the behavior or whatever is mastering you-and to commit everything you do to the Lord.

Consider this ...
If your answers to the questions above point toward the development of a life-controlling problem, please be honest-with yourself, with God, and with a person who cares for you. Ask God for his forgiveness-and his help. He loves you unconditionally. Let him lead you out of that trap. As you commit your ways to him and trust him, he will help you.