Headchop for perfect peace
Did you know that succulents need a head chop as part of their growth and propagation? This process is to cut through the stem so that the cut head can be planted again in the soil. Many new plants can fill the empty space of the cut lower stem. The upper part or the head can be kept for a couple of days without planting and then the stem will ‘callous’ or dry off and this also helps to seal the plant from pests or rot. We need to make sure to have few centimetres of stem below and this can be planted into a succulent potting mix. You can also take a few leaves off and place on top of the soil and this can send out roots to form new plantlets. The pictures below show new plant shoots on the cut part of two different succulents.
Similar to these plants, in our garden of life, we have to cut off certain thoughts, habits or even people that can create a negative impact on our lives. Our thoughts are silent words that we will hear all the time. If we allow it, these repeated thoughts can make a worst case scenario with every situation that we face. This will also make us have assumptions of what other people think and jump into conclusions that we are not able to achieve anything and prosper in life. Then our behaviour changes depending on our feelings and emotions leading to a vicious circle of thoughts and troubles. I have struggled thinking that my life was a big mess, always filled with unexpected detours, disappointments and not the way that I dreamed of. Then asking God the question of why couldn't my life be normal? Feeling more disappointed and angry, isolating myself, unable to share my challenges or sorrows with anyone. A question that came to me was, what is normal? We create that normality when we compare, from what we have experienced or what we have seen. I came to an understanding that my worth and values were not based on other peoples opinion and I do not have to impress anyone. No one else is living my life, they were my personal struggles, my stepping stones to God's plan and HIS purpose.
We will not change our behaviour until we start recognising and changing our thoughts. We cannot leave any wounds of negativity to heal on its own, and wait for new growth and new life to come on to it. The more we dwell on our problems we will be more and more convinced that those troubles are going to be permanent. We have to purposefully change our thinking by identifying that there is a problem, concentrating more on what we enjoy, distracting ourselves, praying, meditating on God's word and this will change our behaviour and our attitude towards life. Choosing to stay more peaceful with our day to day struggles, propels us in the direction of greater freedom from negativity. In the world we are taught to believe what we see, but in God's kingdom we learn to believe first and see God working on it at the perfect time, HIS timing.
Are you determined to have that perfect peace by chopping off those unnecessary thoughts? Trust God fully for you are a unique creation where no one else can fulfill your purpose on this earth.