Breaking Cycles

Generational cycles…this is a huge topic.

As a team, this is a critically important topic to us and at the forefront of our thoughts as we prepare and develop our program.

We all can see generational cycles in our own lives and families.

Some are good, wonderful and beautiful.

And some are harmful and detrimental and need to be broken.

At the heart of this topic is the Gospel of Jesus. The redeeming power of Christ to save us from our sins and free us from the lies that we have been told and often believe.

And to free us from the ways we are enslaved by these continuing cycles.

We are designing our program with multiple ways of speaking to this every day. Let us share with you just one of those ways.

The Book of Proverbs.

We love the straightforward way that lessons are taught in this book packed with wisdom. The way it so clearly speaks to how to live a life that honors God and one that doesn’t. We see the two paths in front of us each day to choose right or wrong. And we clearly see the results of those 2 paths that lead to fruit, blessings and eternal life OR to consequences of foolishness in this life and the life to come.

In all of this we see the option to live a life marked by foolish or wrong decisions that lead to harm for ourselves or others and the option to live a life that seeks God and His ways and His wisdom. This path leads us to a life that brings love, hope, healing, peace and joy to those walking in it.

All too often, the young people in the context of growing up in the system of protection are direct victims of those who have chosen foolish or sinful behavior. Unfortunately, these poor or sometimes unthinkable choices and behaviors are the only example these young people have seen. This typically all serves to trap them in a cycle that is harmful or even dangerous and continues to repeat itself. And the cycles continue.

The great news in all of this is that God is bigger and more powerful.

These cycles can be broken! It is not easy or quick work but we praise the Lord that He has the power to save us from our sinful selves. And He also has the power to save us from those that bring us harm. He has given us His Word to guide and instruct us.

This means that even in the midst of a world full of so much foolishness and sin, we can live wisely! Cycles can be broken and future generations can be impacted to new life and new histories!

We would like to share a just a few, a small sample really, of proverbs that encourage us in this.

Proverbs 11:30 - The fruit of righteousness is a tree of life and whoever captures souls is wise.

Proverbs 12:15 - The way of a fool is right in his own eyes but a wise man listens to advice.

Proverbs 12:18 - There is one whose words are like sword thrusts but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Proverbs 13:14 - The teaching of the wise is fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death.

Proverbs 13:20 - Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise but the companion of fools will suffer harm.

Proverbs 14:11-12 - The house of the wicked will be destroyed but the tent of the upright will flourish. There is a way that seems right to a man but its end is the way to death.

The book of Proverbs will play a key role in our Discipleship Program at Casa de Gracia.

Please pray with us for lives to be restored as cycles are broken through the power of God’s Word!