Escape with me into the unknown, into a secret place. You enter your security password, and now you’re in your control panel. Your center of operations is a complex system of messages and commands encoded over time. The Creator of your original system designed you to fuel off of His power, love, and truth.
If you look carefully at your wiring, you might notice significant changes that have occurred over time. Prolonged trauma exposure can override our original wiring, and our operating system may have malfunctioned. Instead of living from a place of abundance, fueling off of God’s power, love, and truth, we look to new things of this world to try to satisfy our basic needs and core longings. Fed long enough, these new messages systems take root and restructure our brains. We create a longing and a dependency to feed on systems that deplete life instead of giving life.
If you wonder what I’m talking about, take a few moments to reflect on what you turn to when you’re tired, anxious, frustrated, or stressed out. What messages have been encoded over time that result in you making choices that make you feel exhausted, empty, bitter, lonely, guilty, unlovable, disappointed, or disconnected. Instead of returning to our Lord of Operations who designed us to love, sometimes we listen to our parent tapes, critical self-messages, “friends” who enable, or the latest “feel good” messages of our culture.
Which of these “old root systems” have organized you at some point in your life? (These have been adapted from NTD-2 Ephesians study being produced by Spirit-Driven.):
- PROTECTION FIRST! Trying to control situations and people so that no one, including myself, gets hurt.
- PEOPLE FIRST! Striving to do all that I can to do make sure that those around me get what they need, what they want, that they feel good, and that they do not get mad at me.
- PLEASURE FIRST! Living each day with the goal of doing things that make me feel good, and avoiding people and situations that make me feel bad.
- POSITION FIRST! Making sure that I am in a place and role and position where I am comfortable and confident and less likely to feel insecure or risk failure.
- PERFORMANCE FIRST! Always working harder and doing my best at everything because it makes me feel good, and other people count on me to always work hard, look good, or do my best.
- POSSESSIONS FIRST! Striving to make more money and buy newer, bigger, or more things that help me to feel good about myself.
- POWER FIRST! Striving to control and manipulate people and situations so that I get what I want and avoid feeling dependent, weak, needy, or out of control.
- PERFECTION FIRST! Doing everything myself and making sure it is done “right,” even though I am worn out from striving. Everyone else is having more fun, and I don’t try new things because I might fail. At least I don’t have to trust other people who could mess it up.
- PUMP UP FIRST! Making sure that I am physically fit, strong, and healthy. Exercising and eating right makes me feel good about myself.
What did you discover? What are your Go-2’s when you’re looking for a pick-me-up? Most of the Go-2’s of my former life only created more anxiety, brokenness, and bondage. Rather than dwelling on the past or fueling guilt or shame, I want to invite you to return today to your Creator. God is the Lord of restoration. His arms are open to all of His children. His Truth will reset your operating system so that you can be full of His power, love, and wisdom.
We’ve been made to love. Love is our true nature. Love builds bridges. Love makes time. Love listens well. Love covers a multitude of sins. Love makes life and relationships work. Life doesn’t work unless we’re continually being restored and filled with God’s love.
If part or all of your life isn’t working, our Go-2 God is waiting for you to respond to His invitation to help you, to love you, and to restore you. If you decide to go elsewhere, your life won’t work.