Creation and destruction

Yesterday, I was thinking: creation and destruction. You can't have one without the other. You can't create something without destroying the previous state of whatever material you use. You can't destroy anything without creating in the process. Even if its unintentional. 

As an artist, this is an important concept to grasp.

As a woman changing her life, this is monumental. 

I can destroy aspects of myself that I don't like. I can create a different me. God is the only one who can give me my body and my life, but I can am the only one with control over my life. 

Destruction is thought of as such a negative thing. But in reality, it isn't. It is a form of creation.

Now, how do you destroy aspects of your life?

Practice. 

Just like in a sport, practice makes perfect. So practice being who you want to be.

Also just like in a sport, no longer practicing results in losing the ability to do what you used to do. So stop practicing the behaviors and aspects of your character that you want to be rid of. Once you get out of practice, you lose the ability to be that way again.

Col 2:7 Let your roots grow down into him and draw up nourishment from him, so you will grow in faith, strong and vigorous in the truth you were taught. Let your lives overflow with thanksgiving for all he has done.

Col 3:1-15 Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits at God's right hand in the place of honor and power. Let heaven fill your thoughts. Do not think only about things down here on earth. For you died when Christ died, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your real life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory. 

So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual sin, impurity, lust, and shameful desires. Don't be greedy for the good things of this life, for that is idolatry. God's terrible anger will come upon those who do such things. You used to do them when your life was still part of this world. But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. Don't lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old evil nature and all its wicked deeds. In its place you have clothed yourselves with a brand-new nature that is continually being renewed as you learn more and more about Christ, who created this new nature in you. In this new life, it doesn't matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us. 

Since God chose you to be the holy people whom he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. You must make allowance for each other's faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. And the most important piece of clothing you must wear if love. Love is what binds us together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are all called to live in peace. And always be thankful.