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Building Faith•8 min read

Breaking the Cycle

Intense emotional feeling is a powerful driving force to changed behavior where there is no passion, where you have not captured some driving spirit or purpose or plan.

By Kris EmersonJune 27, 2022Season 4, Episode 31 · Breaking the Cycle
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Season 4, Episode 31 · Breaking the Cycle

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The story behind the idea

There was a repeating cycle in Jeff Olsen's life that he finally decided to change. I have a feeling that this will sound very familiar to you. The first thing that I want to do is put an image in your mind that comes up when you hear the term breaking the cycle.

What stands out

I want you to understand the motivating power of pure emotion. Intense emotional feeling is a powerful driving force to changed behavior where there is no passion, where you have not captured some driving spirit or purpose or plan. It is practically impossible to sustain a disciplined life unless somehow along the way you rutted in good behavior so incredibly that you don't need any emotional impetus to continue it.

Why it matters

I want you to know that the only thing that can do that is love. Love for the greatness of God, love for your spouse or your friends, love for the life you now have and the great potential within it can and will take you to new heights.

A faithful way forward

I love Jesus and I can't wait to share in a way that better exemplifies his heart. I love my family and I want to be secure for them so that we can be who God wants us to be. I love the people that I know who are hurting and need help, and I just want to be able to help them better than ever.

Put it into practice

It wasn't memorize the whole Bible, become a sinless Christian, and convert five people a week. It was a chapter in the New Testament every day and a better commitment to the meeting of God's people. I know that if you're like me, you did those things because you were afraid.

Think about it

Take the idea with you.

  1. 01What idea from this study most needs my attention right now?
  2. 02Where does this challenge the way I am currently thinking or living?
  3. 03What is one faithful step I can take this week?
From Excel Still More

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