Escaping the Slinky from LPV on Vimeo.
Escaping the Slinky
129 Responses to “Escaping the Slinky”
If you'd like your own pic by your comment, go to Gravatar.com. Click the first button "Get your gravatar today ->", and it will walk you through a simple process to select a picture.
Leave a Reply
To receive a daily digest of comments on this post, enter your email address below:
Thank you! Thank you!
Love to you all,
Karen
Thank you, Beth, for your message today. I truly needed to hear this message. God is so good.
Thank you for the encouraging video this morning. What a great reminder to choose linear living instead of living tangled in a Slinky of pride, hurt, devastation, insecurity and offense. Keeping our eyes on God Almighty instead of looking down on others!
Love you guys.
I get this!!! Oh, I so get this! Thanks for bringing a video devotional even in the midst of your business. That was a WORD, sister!
Rebecca
Wow. How could you possibly know how much I needed to hear this today? Currently at utter brokenness and wondering just why I’m here AGAIN on this same cycle AGAIN! I’ve been praying that I’ll learn what it is I’m supposed to learn so I don’t have to come back here again. Now I will ask our Lord to show me just what it is that leads me back here. Thank you Beth.
Cheri:
I am there too and I feel like I have been in this cycle for the past 5 years and it is the most ridiculous thing plus its very exhausting. I desperately want to move on and I feel like I am just wasting my time in this cyclical living. It’s driving me nuts waiting for the upside of the cycle only to be back down again.
Best wishes for you!
Laura
Beth, very good word, God wants us to walk a straight path, and not perpetuate a pattern that’s not working, over and over again ! Love the visual illustrations ! Thanks, Gods word is truth and the truth will set you free !
Oh, Beth! I SO NEEDED THIS today! Wish I could show you notes my precious girlfriend and I wrote in our Bible Study notebooks over a year ago – we both drew spirals across our pages. We’ve mulled over what all that was about in terms of patterns and habits in our minds/lives and challenged one another to be quick to turn back to humility and the Truth of the Gospel of Christ. Seriously. But nowhere in my notes did I even hope for “the linear living of His Word.” I was only hoping that, with His help, I could spiral up and out! I am absolutely encouraged by this message and the blessing of praying with you and Siestaville today. Escaping the slinky altogether? Well, isn’t that freeing!? Isaiah 61:1 and Psalm 143:10
That was powerful!!! Loved the visuals and was just wondering if your Man is building something at home that bought about the “tape” and “drill bit”!!! 🙂 Don’t worry Momma Beth… I for one get caught in that same trap… I just pray that it isn’t PRIDE! Trying so hard to be HUMBLE!!! Love the “QUICK” words!
Just. what. I. needed.
Thank you, Beth.
Thanks Beth. That was exactly what I needed!
Doesn’t Satan love it when we just keep repeating the same old emotional rollercoaster over and over again.
I recently retired as a Psych Nurse in a Women’s Prison. As a Christian, (and someone who by the grace and mighty power of God) I learned to stop running into the same wall over and over again. He used several broken relationships to show me how much He loves me, and that I should only NEED Him. And through that He has shown me that I can honestly TRUST HIM IN EVERYTHING.
I found it so sad working with the women in the prison, that they just kept running into the same unhealthy, sick wall over and over again, never getting better. Never allowing Jesus to help heal their emotional hurts.
THANK YOU Beth! LOVE YOU TOO! I will be praying for you in Atlanta.
Great word…thanks Beth. I will ruminate on it for sure ;-).
WOW! That was a lot of goodness packed into a short devotion. 🙂 Thank You so much for taking the time to give this devotion. I know you are super busy currently but this was such a blessing.
Praying we all break the cycle and live linear!
Blessings,
Marita
Thank you Beth for sharing God’s heart with us. I will be more aware now of whether I’m living cycliar or linear. Blessings on you.
Thanks Beth. Wow, I feel like this beautiful video could have been made just for me. This is exactly where I have been for some time now and wanting God’s illumination as to what it is I have not learned from my situation that keeps me down in the pit. Powerful stuff.
Many thanks and huge hugs.
AHHH!!! Sweet Beth!
I hear you! I think it could be the rite of passage thing with me but I would say to you…. The best years of my life are now in the decade of the 60’s!! No longer do I deal with circular living any more! The 50’s were years of turbulence and unrest almost like adolescence again as I transitioned into a new era of life! Now the 60’s are full upon me and oh!!! Sweet deliverence!! I used to get profoundly depressed each spring falling head long into the pit of dispair and self pity only to be followed by months of increased activity and over zealousness and yes, some pride entered into the picture too causing me to feel I somehow arrived and others who still dealt with depressed thinking had not. In holding my head too high I would feel a trip and there I’d be back in it again!!!
So what’s different now? Well, I am making progress REAL progress PTL!! I was delivered from this crazy cycle of depressive thinking and crazy mood swings clearly as a result of doing your Bible studies which got me into The Word more! Your enthusiasm for His Word is sooo infectious!! I went from hating life enough to want to end it, to being crazy excited asking Him what he has in store for me each day!!! I think some of it is in growing up! HA! I think of all life has dealt me and just this AM came upon A Paul’s words in Romans 8:37 where he makes reference to all the tribulation, persecution etc of life and then pens these great words “but in all these things we are more than conquerers through the Love of Jesus Christ!
Yes! I still have times when I look down on others who have not quite “arrived” as I have but you know what?? God has humbled me ALOT!! From all the years of over use of antidepressants and antipsychotic drugs I have gained alot of weight. My face shows evidence of years of much stress etc so I am humbled when I look at myself in the mirror! Do I work at weight loss?? Yes, though I am somewhat successful at times I have yet to arrive at victory there. Do I allow it to overburden me??? No, somehow, I have been at peace with it, yes, I work at being healthier, I know it is God pleasing, but it does not consume me as it once did.
Be patient Beth! I think wisdom does come with age and the 60’s are terribly liberating as well as wisdom bearing!! Glory in the humbleness because in vulnerablity come great stregnth if this makes sense.
Love to you!!
I will be the plump gray haired lady holding a Siesta Sister sign in Sioux Falls SD come Aug! Lord willing!!!
Love to you from the soggy plains!!
Betty M
Spoken right to my heart, my dear sister in Christ!
Thank you, Beth so much!
This is a new concept “linear living” and I so need to break out of my cycles… Praying with you. Search me, O Lord!
Thank-you. I desperately needed this. For me?? It is unbelief and pride and not liking what I see God allowing in my daughters’ life. This has gone on for over a year now. Please I would love prayer for myself and my daughter. Thank-you.
Beth,
I was on my face this very morning wondering why I am here in this place of brokeness again.
In I Kings 18, Elijah asks a question that challenged me.
“How long will you waver between two opinions.”
One translation says “halt” between two opinions. What is it that brings me to a halt every time? Your devotional shed light on this cycle. I am praying those scriptures right along with you over my life.
Thank you so much.
Thank you! I needed this SO much. I continue to be amazed at how the Lord uses your ministry (and technology) to speak to my heart in such a timely way.
Beth:
That message was exactly what I needed to hear. The funny thing is I always read this blog but never watch the videos. Today I clicked on the video without even really thinking. I am in a very broken state currently and am tired of the cycles that I have been in it makes me mad when I think about it. This was perfect I have already asked God to show me what the issue is so I can move on finally and get to the linear life I am called to lead.
Thank you so much,
Laura
Beth;
You nailed where I am right now! Thank you for being obedient in doing this devotional. You have no idea how much this has comforted and helped me. I pray other women will grab hold of this and be transformed.
Thank you,
Monica
“Wow”, I get it. Will have to study this further. I see the cycle concept in my life, and now it has a name,lol. Thanks so much for this timely devotional. Certainly see the value in linear living vs slinky living.
Also, thanks for taking the time to share this as you get ready to go to Atlanta. I pray God will bless you and your team as you travel.
Thanks, again!
Thank you!
I was “slammed” (my perception) last week for an aspect of my personality (quiet/shy) and immediately as always I turned to devestation and a state of being offended. Thank you for throwing me a rope of truth from God’s word and helping me see this from a different perspective.
Dear Sweet Beth, it amazes me how you come up with words of wisdom that are so timely for me – that is something I just this last week have been struggling with! Which has led me to start praying for deliverance from old jealousy, bitterness & anger…and I will add to it – the request to be shown whatever else I need to learn/understand to move past it all – once & for all! with love to you and your family and staff – Barb
Thank you for this message. Lately, I seem to be hearing this in different ways. Maybe little nudges from the Holy Spirit??? Reminds me of the quote from Albert Einstein
“Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.” Thank goodness we have a God who loves and wants to give us freedom from “slinky living”
Gal. 5:1 (benefit of siesta scripture memory) – that just popped right into my head as I typed freedom! Thank you again, and may the Lord bless you and the LPM conference in Atlanta. 2 hours away, so wish I could be there.
Timely! Timely! Timely! Thank you for being sensitive to the Holy Spirit!
yes it is a spiral life sometimes but I think it’s because arson or addiction has a hold of us very much like a bungee cord. which is why we need to do w like breaking free!
*our sin and * do studies. Driving thru the Rocky mtns… Guess this is one of those humbling moments. I receive it …
Thank you Beth and Lindsay!
Needed this very much today. His timing is absolutely perfect. Love y’all!
Thank you for these words of encouragement. They were so timely for me today.
You are an amazing instrument of God! The visual analogy was perfect! So needed. A most gracious thank you!
I loved your lesson on linear living. It fit so well into the words I read today “Father, I embrace Your plans and lay down my own”.
I Needed this today as it was the second reference to His time this week. The other commentary mentioned “paths” of righteousness is better translated into cycles. How odd this is the second time I hear this within a week. This commentary said He is even so perfect in this endeavor as if it were a straight path, as we being sheep we would just keep walking until we walked right over the cliff. We are constantly in His care. He Joys and delights in our dependence on Him. Your right it will be a face to face, when we will finally get it.
That cycle of addiction for me transfers from one thing to another. It used to be cigarettes and beer but now it is food. I need a balance to take ownership of my unbelief. I can believe it for others before I know it is true for me. God bless you Beth.
Well, well, well- Beth you often “hit us where it hurts” and with a direct message from Jesus at just the right time. Thank you!!! Yes, pride and the pattern of the protective ego often spins me back into that vertical “slinky” pattern. No, it has NOT solved any of my issues- why do I go back????
How many times do I have to “redo” this??? God sends healing and for some reason I find myself right back in that old destructive pattern that feels as if it is helping me avoid the devastation in a circumstance. No it does NOT….
My humanity is fragile to say the least. Yes life sends us challenges that surprise and overwhelm us- as Tony Evans teaches so well in his spiritual warfare series- these strongholds have to be demolished not remodeled and that is my prayer! – thank you for praying and caring about us- you are our dear dear Sister in Christ and we appreciate you. Lots of love
Thank you Beth!
You certainly nailed something I’ve been experiencing (again). I will be praying about this and seeking the Holy Spirit’s help in linear living instead of stuck in slinkyland.
Thank you for your honesty and transparency with us!
Melissa
Thank you Beth for this thought provoking devotional. I LOVE being part of Siestaville. Linda
No wonder I have been so dizzy lately!
Just the message I needed to hear.
Thank you for sharing. It is freeing to know there is an alternative to being “slinky dizzy”. Pride, people pleasing, and unbelief all come to mind – will continue to pray about.
Beth…are you a mind reader? I feel like you have been the proverbial fly on the wall with me the past week. I have struggled with pride, hurt, insecurity and offense for days. The sad part is, that if I am totally honest, my behavior has been immature and childish at best. I guess my slinky is a tangled mess right now. Thank you for the visual about linear living. As someone with a similar past as you, I am prone to self-doubt, self-sabotage, and sometimes an overall feeling of low self worth. Because of your Breaking Free and many other Bible Studies, I have grown so much. Unfortunately, I have relapses from time to time where I tend to spiral downward, but thanks to today’s devotional I realize that God can help me keep my focus upward. I will continue to pray for perspective, humility and honesty with myself in order to stay on the straight path instead of heading over the edge.
Beth, Beth, Beth, wow, you will never know how much I needed to hear this. It is so amazing to me how God pays attention to me. I’m talking about the details… the smallest of them. I didn’t know until listening to this video that He realized I had slipped back. I want to know why. Why I do it? Why can’t I continue going forward?
Thank you,
Your struggling Sister
thanks for this…. it went straight to my heart, to my life, to my season. thanks for your heart to teach, lead, share, pray. hugs to you all there!
Thank you so much for this, Beth. I needed to hear it. I feel as if I’ve led my life as a Christian in these types of cycles. I love the visual…it really helps me to see what I’ve been doing and what I don’t want to do. Thank you for sharing! I’m going to spend some time talking to God about what sends me back into the same old patterns…
2 Chronicles 7:3 When all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the Lord on the temple, they bowed their faces to the ground on the pavement, and worshiped and praised the LORD, saying: “FOR HE IS GOOD, FOR HIS MERCY ENDURES FOREVER.” Praise God from whom all blessings flow…may he dwell in you richly! xoxo cb
Oh my! Thank you so much! I was just sitting here this morning in my quiet time, talking to the Lord about exactly that…..I was thinking of how do I put it into words. I want to escape the slinky in my life. We are going through a very difficult time in our lives right now and I truly want to wait on the Lord for direction…..it is tough….being a person who wants to do SOMETHING! I am learning to wait on Him. All the old anxieties and fears want to creep back….but I know that HE IS FAITHFUL!
Watched this last evening. Loved it. Missed the ‘mirror’ in the video and didn’t recognize that I was in full slinky mode! Woke up this morning tired from going in circles and getting no where. Then it hit me – THIS WAS FOR ME.
I may have to put a slinky on my dresser to remind me each day to not follow the slinky.
Thanks Beth. You are the best.
Beth, I so needed to hear this! God is so good and so gentle; isn’t he?
Dear Beth–
Thank you for taking the time to share this message with us. You took a snapshot of my current slinky life and put it to words, aptly naming it. Thank you for giving insight how to escape the slinky. It is helpful to have someone plainly say these are obstacles that cause the cycle. I have prayed many times recently that I wish I would learn this lesson so it is possible to move on. Now I’ll ask what leads me back to this dark, stinking place instead of enjoying the light of His Presence. Intersting how a different perspective on a problem changes the persception of the problem. Grace & peace to you.
Ok, here’s the deal. My sound is not working on my IPad for some reason. (I think my 3 year got Mac and cheese in it…sigh) so I still clicked play on your video thinking, maybe I could read your lips. FAT CHANCE! Do you know how crazy that is to think I could read YOUR lips?!?! (You talk kinda fast, girl!) love it, and everything about ya!
I went through some of the comments though, so I didn’t feel completely left out. And, it looks that you delivered another awesome message. Thank you for doing what you do. You make the best spirtual food. God bless you Beth, and your team.
Wonderful, Beth! Yes, it resonates with me. I needed that encouragement and teaching.