Don’t Allow Drive to Override Reasoning
I was discussing with someone who had repeatedly fell unwell because of their lifestyle. I could see a strong psychological drive that inclines them to go for what they want without counting the cost. The result is sickness, regret, and limitations in life’s daily living. While positive drive could give one an edge over peers, negative drive can be limiting. It can be so strong that it beclouds the sense of reasoning. It can make one to live in denial. It could be mistaken for zeal.
Negative drive leads to impatience and impulsiveness. It does not think things through and is irrational. Drive doesn’t care if anyone will be harmed on its way to satisfy itself, it doesn’t care if someone will be inconvenienced. It thinks of the now and cares less about tomorrow. When in active mode, it defies every danger sign, it hooks on, kicks out every reasoning.
Esau did not kill, commit adultery, nor steal. His only sin was allowing his drive to override his sense of reasoning. Esau did not think through the consequence of his decision. He sold his birthright for a plate of porridge. He was rejected and called profane. We may not outrightly do anything wrong, but drive indulges one to self-centredness, which is sin. It destroys relationships because it seeks its own.
It pushes as an addiction. It takes control, it rules the person. It dominates. This drive can be for anything.
Drive can be subtly hidden, but there is a check that can catch it out. Check if you are someone that goes for anything you desire at any cost and does not disclose your intentions because you do not need an input or to be stopped. Are you insistent on what you want? Drive has driven people to addiction, alcoholism, prostitution, selfishness. The need to balance it cannot be overemphasised.
Having said all these, the question is, what can one do? The Bible has all the answers.
Self-control is one check. Pause when the urge comes. Weigh the advantage against the disadvantages. Consider the aftermath and take a deep breath. Don’t live in your city without walls.
Proverbs 25:28 KJV “He that hath no rule over his own spirit Is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.”
Be intentional about making amends.
1 Corinthians 9:27 KJV “but I keep under my body and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.”
Sobriety is another milestone. Pray and ask the Lord to humble you. Allow temperance to take its course in your life.
1 Corinthians 9:25 KJV “And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.”
Apply the brake before you leap. Tell your soul to be quiet. 1 Corinthians 14:32 KJV “And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.”
Be moderate, don’t allow yourself to be pushed. Philippians 4:5 KJV “Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.”
Admit there is a problem. Allow others to tell you. Think of the aftermath. Reflect on the outcomes. Embrace Christ. Put tomorrow in view and not just the now. Remember, life continues and will not stop at the end of your adventure. Learn from past mistakes.
