6. Spiritual disciplines help me let go of my attachment to desires and behaviors that are unhealthy.

(Before looking at the questions below, take a few minutes to think about this statement. Invite Jesus to speak to you about what He would like you to notice.) 

HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE THE CONCEPT OF ATTACHMENT?

WHAT ATTACHMENTS HAVE THE STRONGEST INFLUENCE IN YOUR LIFE?

WHAT DO YOU THINK COULD BE GOOD ATTACHMENTS FOR YOU?

Long before we are old enough to be able to think about and adjust our behaviors, we develop actions that become habits, often harmful ones. Think of an infant: crying is a behavior that is used to motivate or manipulate parents into providing something. Temper tantrums are used to assert control, and even smiles and laughter can be a child’s way of getting their way. As we move into adulthood, we hold onto our need to manipulate our environment and relationships, albeit in more discrete and subtle ways.

The child in us continues to feel the need to control our environment to make us feel safe and to acquire things that we believe will bring some level of happiness. By the time we are adults, we have become attached to habits that we believe will provide safety and pleasure. These attachments to behaviors, possessions, and desires are often unhealthy and even harmful for our overall emotional, physical, and spiritual health. But because these attachments are so ingrained in us, we do not let go of them without some effort.

The effort needed to assist us in facilitating the release of unhealthy attachments can include spiritual disciplines. Spiritual disciplines can be effective to help free us from unhealthy attachments. This is the “letting go” process, the “death to self,” the unhealthy self, that is needed for us to be able to experience the abundance that Jesus came to bring us.