I Used to Tough It Out…
Since this pic, a passenger backrest/rack, highway pegs, cup holder, cell holder and charger, broader windshield have been added
Last year featured a total knee replacement for my left knee, Experienced friends and medical folks offered advice about exercises for strength and flexibility, and the most helpful: stay ahead of the pain with the doctor’s schedule for taking oxycodone. Or, don’t show your toughness by waiting until you can’t take the pain, but follow the doc’s recommendation for time intervals.
Three months later, Rich and I cruised through CO to Taos, NM. I had some concerns and applied that mantra to the ride. My bike has 5 different positions for my legs, and in addition to standing on the pegs. Typically, I would ride until I got sore in one position and then switch. But the TKR taught me to not wait. My first section of 120 miles exceeded all I’d ridden in the last 6 months, plus so in addition to the knee, my body wasn’t really ride ready. I changed my strategy: rather than waiting to feel pain, I’d shift the position after 15 minutes. Then I’d rotate between the 6 options, and even though the 450 miles to Cedar City brought heavy winds and temps of 104, the day was so easy it surprised me.
That policy applies to more than just bikes. When we anticipate trouble or hardship, we do best when we take quick action before it grows into a resistant habit. Habits are much harder to break than an act done just a few times. So, three steps in avoiding negative habits.
First, realize the importance of our mind in crafting a life that quickly deals with problems, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think” (Romans 12:2). We change how our minds work to develop the skill of handling issues quickly.
Second, in that process, we decide to focus on God and his values more than allowing sin to grow into a habit, “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things” (Colossians 3:2). Frankly, we have two primary options in life: do we seek things above or things of earth? One or the other. We won’t do either perfectly, but which do we choose as our direction?
Third, we quickly evaluate our thoughts and acts to see which direction they lead, and we choose the godly, “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” (Philippians 4:8). If a thought doesn’t match that, then we replace it with a thought that will. We fill our minds with God’s thoughts and values.
As important as my oxycodone program worked to stay ahead of the pain, this will work to keep us away from our spiritual pain.
Kick Starting the Application
How quickly do you identify thoughts and acts that can lead down a rocky road? How effective are you at the continual process of transforming your mind?