"The Secret to Momentum: Pause and A.C.T."

By Paula R. Bryant

Let’s face it. There are times when Pausing is essential to consistently move forward. Take race car drivers, for example. During a high-speed race, they must pull in to the pit stop for repairs and maintenance, so they can get back on track and up to speed.
     I have been on this topic for a few weeks, but I’ll say it again. While you’re making progress on your Path of Inspiration someone will invariably say or do something that really bothers you. Frustrates you. Hurts you—activates a core belief you’ve unknowingly developed from negative experiences in the past.
     Maybe you come unhinged when someone lies to you, because lies have deeply injured you over the years. Perhaps you lose perspective when you feel like someone is “handling” you, because you’ve been mishandled more times than you care to remember. Maybe you lose it when you feel someone has taken something that rightfully belongs to you (material or nonmaterial), because too many others have stolen from you in the past.
     You know what sets you off. So, before you react and lash out at that person…Pause. Submit yourself to God in prayer, identify that aggravated core belief, and begin to challenge it. Of course, we already know from my blog a couple Fridays ago that coming through this whole process can take time. But intermittent Pausing is essential so that you can work through issues in your heart and life in a godly way. Pausing prevents unnecessary breakdowns or crashes caused by feelings that go unchecked.

Don’t React—Pause and A.C.T.!

      Admit your anger to God. Go to Him in prayer, giving Him thanks, and admit your feelings—good, bad and ugly. He already knows how you feel and is strong enough to hear you! Then “ask” Him, according to Luke 11:9–10, to help you sort through your feelings and see the situation clearly.
     Come into agreement with Him. While you’re in His presence, “seek” His will in the Word according to Luke 11 (and other scriptures). Seeking doesn’t mean talking to others to get their sympathy and opinions! Let God reset your compass and momentum. Open your Bible, using your concordance if necessary, and let Holy Spirit guide you. Then as you read, pray in the Spirit and trust God as He reveals truth to your spirit through His Word. Finally, submit to His will by accepting His instructions. Declare these verses out loud and personalize them! Then set your heart to DO what God is leading you to do.
     Take action. Armed and empowered by His Word, it’s time to “knock” as Jesus taught in Luke 11:9. Pray for the one who has hurt you, and then get up and take the steps God revealed to you. Move forward in peace (Col. 3:15, Jam. 3:18) and let Matthew 18:15–17 guide you in seeking restoration:
 

• Go talk to that person alone.
• If he or she doesn’t hear you, go back with two or three others who love and know God.
• If things still aren’t resolved, go to the church for counsel and settle the matter.

 
     When you Pause and A.C.T. you can consistently get back on track and up to speed, even though identifying and challenging core beliefs often takes more than one “pit stop.” You don’t have to crash or stall on your path! Pull into the “pit” and let Jesus restore you! He promised that as you follow His instructions you’ll keep moving forward. 

     “ ’So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek,
     and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.’ ”
                                           Luke 11:9, NKJV (emphasis mine)
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