Giving Thanks For Unlearning

The only reason many of us are aware that some of our behaviors are less than adequate is by how others react when they are displayed. Certain things that we do that negatively impact our relationships, health, job performance and spirituality, often stem from an acquired habit or custom. We humans are creatures of habits; yet when we take the time and make great effort to unlearn problematic behaviors, we wonder why we didn't act sooner.

As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, take the time to think about some of the habits you have unlearned. Perhaps you were used to feeling a certain way when the circumstances surrounding a traumatic experience surfaced in your mind. But now you are able to reframe the experience, and as a result, the negative emotions no longer have the best of you. Perhaps you used to be judgmental and condemning in your approach to others, but you now see people in a different light, remembering that we are all flawed and are in need of grace. Maybe you had a certain kind of addiction - smoking, vaping, food internet or sex -but you have addressed the pain that led to the addictive behavior and learned how to kick the habit. These are all reasons to be thankful.

The disciples of Jesus could not walk with Him and not unlearn ideas, habits and beliefs, and neither can we. James and John learned that calling down fire from heaven to destroy people who didn't respond favorably to Jesus was not in tandem with Jesus' character. All the disciples but Judas unlearned many things, and by throwing off selfishness, they were willing to die for the sake of the gospel. They had walked with the Majesty of heaven who “was made in the likeness of men” (Philippians 2:7), and by beholding Him had become changed in character.

The last-day church that is referred to as Laodicea also has much to unlearn to form the character that prepares us to meet our Lord and Savior when He comes again to give His reward to the faithful. Laodicea receives no commendations by Jesus as the other six churches: Ephesus, Sardis, Pergamus, Smyrna, Thyatira and Philadelphia. Laodicea is described as “wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked” (Revelation 3:17). Yet we can be thankful that as we open our hearts to God, the Holy Spirit will be our aid in loosing us of pride and self-sufficiency, as well as other sins and defects. Indeed, Jesus has also provided the remedies for the Laodicean problem - eyesalve (discernment), refined gold (faith and love) and white garments (Christ's righteousness) - as free gifts to all who will receive them (Revelation 3:18).

“It is God who works in us both to will and to do his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13). And it is He who gives us overcoming power for all unlearning that takes place in our lives. Let us, therefore, remember to give Him thanks as we recognize goodness and greatness in our lives.