Where Do You Want to Be? Choosing Growth Over Trauma

Clean instead of drinking alcohol

Take time to meditate and reflect on your past. Look at what you have done—and what you have left undone—to truly understand the "why" behind your actions. True progress starts with this self-awareness, but it must lead to a commitment to do better. We cannot repeat the same mistakes, claim the role of the victim, and then expect to be treated as such indefinitely.

1. Breaking the Cycle of Trauma

Process your trauma and choose to live a healthier life

Don’t use past trauma as an excuse for the poor or unhealthy decisions you make today. It is your responsibility to process that trauma, learn from it, and find the strength to move past it. Do not allow your past to rob you of another day, month, or year of your life.

2. Guarding Your Circle

Are they aligned with God?

One of the hardest parts of healing is refusing to allow toxic relationships back into your life. Often, God removes a person from your life because they mean you harm, only for you to bring them back in—and then ask God to rescue you from the same situation He just delivered you from.

Guard your mind and your heart. Align yourself with those who are aligned with God. Because we are all imperfect and flawed, we may gravitate toward unhealthy things that feel "fine" to a toxic friend but are not aligned with your higher purpose. If they aren't aligned with God, keep them out of your life.

3. Choosing Healthy Coping Skills

Meditate or exercise daily

Many people sabotage themselves repeatedly because they refuse to distance themselves from the things that worsen their situation—whether that is drugs, alcohol, or promiscuity.

Now is the time to choose healthy coping skills that improve your situation rather than adding to your pain. Do not go back to the things that were destroying you just because you feel lonely or because others try to make you feel bad for changing.

4. The Strength to Leave "Misery" Behind

Move forward

Be careful when trying to help those who wish you would join them in their misery. While you may want to help them out, 90% of the time, they will pull you down into sin rather than you pulling them up to a better place.

Don't let them make you feel guilty for leaving them behind. Their actions are often intentional and malicious. Staying focused on God and living a good life doesn't mean your life will be free of problems; it means your life will be filled with better choices.

The Daily Commitment Choosing to be healthy—mentally, physically, and spiritually—is not a one-time event. It is a commitment you must work on every single day. As you walk through the storm, remember: the weight doesn't necessarily get lighter, but you become stronger and wiser.

Allow God’s corrections to stand in your life. Don’t work against Him; the enemy is waiting for any chance to pull you back.

So, where do you want to be?