PIG#2 DARKNESS BEFORE THE DAWN

BEFORE WE GET STARTED ON PIG #2, I WANT TO REVIEW SOME OF LAST WEEKS TEACHING, SO YOU’LL HAVE CONTEXT AND CLARITY FOR TODAYS TEACHING . WHAT IS PIG? PROBLEM OF IMMEDIATE GRATIFICATION. ALL OF US STRUGGLE WITH SOMETHING, AND THIS PIG IS THE FOUNDATION OF OUR STRUGGLES !

WHAT IS THE 7P’S? Wisdom which advises: "Proper Preventative Planning Prevents Past Poor Performances." I'M SURE YOU'VE NEVER HEARD THIS KIND OF TEACHING BEFORE! (SMILE)

ALSO SOMETHING THAT WE LEARNED LAST WEEK: SEEK AN ACCOUNTABILITY PARTNER, BY THEIR LIFE EXPERIENCES. SOMETIMES THAT WILL INCLUDE GREY HAIRS (HAHA) ARE YOU READY TO LEARN SOME MORE TONIGHT?

Darkness Before Dawn

Our self-focused inner pig has apathetically trampled our former cherished life beneath its feet. Life has mutated into meaningless existence; a seemingly endless purgatory.

There only appears to be hopelessness and despair, blurred through the tears of our weeping. It's the byproduct of the pain we callously imposed on our victims. Truly it has been said that; those who sow to the wind will reap the whirlwind of regret for many years to come.

The greatest majority of society callously condemns all convicts, addicts and the like as human trash. This viewpoint stands in stark contrast to God's immutable law of change which declares that change is an unchangeable constant throughout the universe; that all things are ever moving and ever changing.

Once you recover from your past evils; seize the day. Live it like it's your last. Our tomorrows aren't promised to us.

Even when you crash and burn? Live and learn. Everyone falls and everyone fails without exception.

As long as you're still breathing? Hope remains. Therefore: Get up and do whatever should've been done the first time. Simply stated? Do what's right.

Look up. Each day is a gift from God, while the past, like a cancelled check, is spent. Each new day greets us with another chance for a new, "do over." Learn to treasure your gift of life. It's a gift; not a right.

For better or worse, you are the general of your own choices. Those choices will either reap rewards or consequences.

Rewards are for those who do what is right. Minus grace? Poor and evil choices can transform into a terrifying twister of hellish proportions. Consequently: Reward and bless others around you with wise choices.

Fully realize that your worst enemy and potentially best friend can be the person looking back at you from behind the mirror. Knowledge is power. You know both your strengths and weaknesses very well. The power to change. is within your control. Today is the right time for change and positive actions.

So gather your family, friends and allies together and ask them for their help. BUT PLEASE USE GREAT WISDOM WITH THIS!

Enlist reliable allies. The pig dynasty and year of the pig must end. "Vanquish the pig" is the cry of our true self. Having finally determined to succeed at all costs; once again, an invisible hand comes alongside of us, behind the scenes like an invisible ally.

And seemingly as if by COINCIDENCE , the right people at the right time begin to gather at an unspoken meeting place, preparing to help us to battle the pig. (can you say a recovery meeting place?)(smile)

Astonishingly and unexpectedly, one or two sorely missed and badly needed family members seem to reappear out of nowhere, eager to restore their relationships with us.

Perhaps they believe that we've now suffered enough.. Perhaps like us; they too miss us. And as the evidence demonstrates; wounds of every description are finally beginning to mend. That is, the wounds of our loved one's heart from our betrayal of their trust.

And likened to the arrival of Spring, compassionate and loving people come alongside, eager to join us as we continue to battle the pig.

With their help, we'll triumph over those things which once reigned over us. Sense and savor the arrival of Spring in your spirit as your inner strength keeps growing stronger and more determined to succeed. And comparable to flowers in bloom after April showers; new, tangible and vibrant hope wells up from within your soul.

It's another God-given Spring reawakening the real you from the fiendish grip of a long and dark winter with the pig.

Consequential Thinking

The 7Ps (PROPER PREVENTATIVE PLANNING PREVENTS PAST POOR PERFORMANCES) of the anti-pig channel points us to the need for consequential thinking and planning.

Psychologists label this as adverse thinking, that is, a type of reviewing likely worst case scenarios. Of necessity, we must prepare in advance, planning ways to escape our addictions and temptations.

This involves us in a proactive process to counter situations which activate our triggers.

The first word to learn must be to tell ourselves to; "STOP" The instant our mind wanders back toward our addiction.

Repeat this step as often as needed. And based upon our choices, we will either reap the whirlwind of regret or the blessings and benefits of choosing wisely.

The second step is replacing negative thoughts with an effective activity which will change our focus.

This simple yet effective activity would shift YOUR focus and brighten YOUR mood. Just like Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” THIS PASSAGE urges us to think about whatever is pure, lovely, and admirable, we can replace our negativity with laughter and joy!

Imagine a garden filled with weeds. If you just focus on the weeds, you'll be overwhelmed. Instead, a gardener pulls the weeds and plants beautiful flowers, creating a stunning landscape. Similarly, when we replace negative thoughts with positive, life-giving activities—like helping others or volunteering—we can cultivate a mindset of gratitude and joy, as encouraged in 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” .

Repeat this step as often as your addictive thoughts enter into your consciousness.

Tell yourself, "stop!" Then grab that thought by its throat. That's called taking every addictive thought CAPTIVE

Each time redirect your focus with an effective and alternate activity. This must become automatic.

No one ever begins their addiction with the intention of winding up in a gutter, in a drug den, or in a homeless shelter broken, penniless, filthy, reeking of urine and abandoned. And yet? Many thousands of broken people wind up there everyday. Too many fall from riches to rags. Far too many go without food, sleep and/or must live in their car with no place to stay.

In fact? No one ever purposely started out with the dream of facing these plights as one of their lifelong goals to achieve.

A Chance For Freedom

More and more people are finally coming to the realization that; for those who make the choice to change? They can and do change. This is due to the help of those who have dared to reach out to PEOPLE THAT ARE desperate for hope.

Nevertheless: Rehabilitation courses shouldn't be taken solely for a certificate to show the DRUG COURT. Instead? It's that chance at life vs. endless existence. It's a lifelong discipline for growing maturity which transforms PEOPLE into ever GROWING people and citizens. Rehabilitating people will continue to improve with age AND MATURITY.

Realistically, there will be plenty of both good and bad days. Nevertheless: Each day is a heaven sent gift. Use them wisely. Strive to excel. Accomplish more and more with each day. And like putting pennies into a bank; a seemingly little thing? After a while, they begin to add up. And because your addiction seeks to entrap you? Remember to bring to mind the most probable and realistic scenarios of becoming permanently entrapped, either in prison or by death.

Part of the solution is to change the channel away from addictive thinking to realistic and potential consequences. Start out by telling yourself: "stop!" Contact trustworthy allies. When addictive thoughts grab hold of you during sleep, try turning over to your side. Or: Get up and remind yourself of those realistic scenarios.

AS CHILDREN OF GOD, Pray. Call a nearby ACCOUNTABILITY PARTNER. PRAYING AND PRAISING GOD REALLY WORKS. BECAUSE YOU TAKE THE FOCUS OFF YOU, AND ON TO GOD WHO’S IN CONTROL ANYWAYS. Use whatever method you can find which works for you. And if your chosen method fails? Keep seeking out solutions till you find the method which works for you. Refuse to give up. There's so much to gain; too much to lose.

One final thought concerning fighting our inner pig. When an unwanted thought comes to mind? Each time tell yourself to; "stop!" Then change the channel to consequential thinking. Tell yourself; "NO MORE!" And if the first plan doesn't work, continue your search for a solution which does work. Prepare battle strategies for each addictive thought. Prepare to win. (SMILE & SPEAK LOUDLY) "Avoid the brig! Pulverize the pig!"

AT THIS TIME WE WILL DISMISS OUR ONLINE FAMILY. WE WILL SEE YOU AGAIN, NEXT WEEK. WITH ANOTHER NUTS AND BOLTS VIDEO

How can the concept of the 7P's help one avoid poor performance?

What is suggested as a way to combat the problem of immediate gratification?

What is the significance of accountability partners according to THIS WEEK OR last week's teaching?