Horses are creatures of habit.  You show them something and they learn it.  Right or wrong, they will learn it. When horses are brought to our ranch for correction, we most commonly find that they need to unlearn some things.  Anything that was not working to allow them to become a better horse needs to be unlearned.  The more times the wrong training was repeated, the more solid the horse becomes with the maneuver that needs to be unlearned.  A good example of this is when a horse learns to move in with his shoulder toward the barrel in the approach to the turn.  This usually results in a knock down and a penalty.  He must learn to run up to the pocket clean and must unlearn to shoulder in. 

 

Most of what we do in our everyday life that does not cause us to grow more Christ-like needs to be unlearned.  I have heard it said that when we are having trials and troubles, we better look up and see what we need to learn.  I believe the opposite.  I believe our trials will help us to unlearn habits that we have that need to be changed.  You will hear people say all the time.." Boy, God is really blessing me - things are going great!"  I have found that I don't grow in times when everything is going great.  So, since I believe it is a blessing to grow, then I should count it a blessing when I have trials.  (James 1 and Romans 5)  I will see growth in myself in those times.  I will unlearn something that has been keeping me from coming closer to Christ. 

 

Most competitive, type A personalities like myself have to unlearn to be so self sufficient.  When I am leveled by a trial, my self-sufficiency goes out the window and I am crying out for the grace of Christ that is sufficient to get me through the trials.  The more trials, the less I grow to depend upon myself, family or friends, and begin to depend upon the grace of God. 2 Corinthians 12:9 says, "my grace is sufficient for you; for my strength is made perfect in your weakness." I don't mean to say that I don't need my family and friends.  I am saying that I need Christ more.  There are times when I am alone in a trial and need that friend that sticks closer to a brother and can provide the grace that no brother or sister can provide.  Proverbs 18:24 

 

The world is crying out for peace.  The world thinks that peace comes from the absence of war and terrorism.  That needs to be unlearned.  Peace comes from God.  There is peace WITH God and that comes only upon Salvation when Christ is accepted into a human heart.  At that moment, God and that person are reconciled and they have made peace with God.   The peace OF God is attained from setting your mind on the ways and thoughts of God.  I will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is centered on me because he trusts in me.   (Isaiah 26:3)  There is a peace that follows prayer.  Philippians 4:6-7  "Be anxious for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which you won't even be able to understand, will keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."  Christians in other countries walk in peace in the midst of war and terrorism.  They walk in peace even knowing that they can be beheaded for their testimonies. They say that they live much closer to Jesus Christ than when they lived in America where we take so much for granted.   

 

When you face your next trial, think about what a blessing it is!  You are unlearning something that has been in between you and Jesus Christ.  Don't become frustrated or bitter, but rather, count it a joy.  Our hearts have been in reverse.