This post is about teaching you the true self sabotaging meaning, its signs, and how to stop self-sabotaging as a Christian woman.
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Have you ever wondered what self sabotaging meaning really is?
Youāre not alone!
So, you set your New Yearās resolution. Maybe your personal goal is to live a healthier life, have better relationships, or grow spiritually, and then ā BOOM ā something inside you just flips the script.
Itās like, why do I do this to myself?
Trust me, itās a thing a lot of us deal withā¦
Itās called self-sabotage, and itās a super common behavior. But figuring out the root cause of self-sabotage is the first big step toward overcoming it.
Hereās what youāre gonna get out of this postā¦
Besides the self sabotaging meaning, weāre getting into the nitty-gritty ofā¦
- the psychology behind self-sabotaging behavior
- the signs of self-sabotaging
- what the Bible says about self-sabotage
- powerful prayers and practical tips to shake these habits
Itās fascinating! So letās get started on the self-sabotaging meaningā¦
Self Sabotaging Meaning: A Psychological Definition
According to Dr. Christina R. Wilson, āSelf-sabotage occurs when we destroy ourselves physically, mentally, or emotionally or deliberately hinder our own success and wellbeing by undermining personal goals and values. It is āinsidious, profound, and universalā and emanates from negative mindsets.
Self-sabotage, also known as behavioral dysregulation, can be conscious or unconscious depending on the level of awareness. An example of conscious self-sabotage is deciding to eat cake, despite a goal to eat healthy. Unconscious self-sabotage happens when a personal goal or value has been undermined but not initially recognized.
Someone with a fear of failure might wait until the last minute to work on an important project, unconsciously avoiding the prospect of advancement.
Another dimension of self-sabotage is cognitive dissonance. Cognitive dissonance is the internal imbalance or discomfort experienced when words or actions do not align with beliefs and values. When this happens, we act to ease the discomfort by changing our words or behaviors or by reframing our goals and values.
It seems unlikely that anyone would intentionally sabotage themselves, yet they do, and the consequences can be caustic. Chronic self-sabotage depletes drive and motivation and leaves us sad, anxious, and with damaged self-esteem.ā
Self Sabotaging Meaning in Simpler Words
Hereās the self sabotaging psychological meaning simplifiedā¦
Self-sabotage is when you act against your own best interests, hurting your mental health, physical health, or emotional health and blocking your goals.
It can be a conscious choiceā¦
- Like eating cake when God is leading you to make healthy choices.
Or an unconscious actionā¦
- Like procrastinating on important tasks because you fear failure.
And then thereās cognitive dissonanceā¦
- This is the tension you feel when your actions or words donāt match your beliefs and values.Ā
- To relieve this tension, you might change what you say or do or adjust your goals and values.
Many of us unknowingly often self-sabotage.Ā
Quick story about meā¦
Just yesterday, I was feeling sad, and I turned to ice cream and chocolate to soothe. (Not that thereās anything wrong with eating sweets!) But this was a conscious choice ā I know I needed the love and compassion of Jesus, and instead, I chose food.
And the result of this self-destructive behavior is less motivation, sadness, anxiety, and low self-esteem.
A self-sabotaging synonym or terms you might be more familiar with areā¦
- Self-defeating behavior
- Self-destructive behavior
- Counterproductive behavior
- Getting in your own way
Now, letās see what the signs of self-sabotaging areā¦
Signs of Self-Sabotaging
Itās kinda tricky to identify self-sabotaging behavior because the negative effects donāt always surface right away.Ā
Which makes the cause and effect unclear.
Nevertheless, the number one thing you can do to figure it out is invite the Holy Spiritā¦
Your Creator knows you best. Take your concerns to the throne of grace and ask God to reveal these things to you.
Then ask yourself thisā¦
āIs my behavior aligned with my long-term goals?ā
If your response is no, then itās likely youāre self-sabotaging.
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25 Self-Sabotaging Behaviors
Before I list the self-destructive behaviors, I want to remind youā¦
As a beautiful daughter of God, understand that youāre not defined by your struggles but by the strength and grace you find in overcoming them.
Self-sabotaging behaviors may include anything that isā¦
Counterproductive ā actions that work against your goals.
Mindless ā doing things without thinking or attention.
Avoiding ā dodging or staying away from something.
Baseless ā fears or worries without a real reason.
Here are some self-sabotaging behavior examples.
See if any of these āimbalanced behaviorsā resonate with youā¦
- Negativity
- Disorganized
- Indecisive
- Perfectionist
- Imposter Syndrome
- Negative Self-Talk
- Binge-Watching TV
- Internet Surfing & Shopping
- Social Media Scrolling
- Overeating
- Alcohol or Drug Abuse
- Pornography
- Smoking
- Gambling
- Self-Injury
- Overspending
- Procrastination
- Consistently Being Late
- Giving Up Easily
- Not Being Confident Enough To Speak Up
- Fear of Commitment
- Fear Of The Unknown
- Fear Of Change
- Fear Of Failure
- Fear of Losing Control
What is the Root Cause of Self-Sabotaging
Now that you understand what self-sabotaging means, including its signs and behaviors, itās time to ask the crucial questionā¦
Why am I self-sabotaging? Whatās the root cause?
The Psychological Point of View
Sometimes, self-sabotage happens because of how you feel about yourself.Ā
Maybe deep down, you donāt think you deserve success or happiness.Ā
This can come from past experiences, past romantic relationships, or messages youāve received that werenāt so positive.Ā
Itās like having a little voice in your head that keeps saying you canāt do it, even when you can.
Also, fear plays a big partā¦Ā
The fear of failing ā or even the fear of succeeding ā can make you do things that stop you from reaching your goals.
The Biblical Point of View
What does the Bible say about self-sabotage?
- Youāre born by the Spirit of God and redeemed by the blood of Jesus.
- Youāre His creation, valued, loved, and cherished.
But sometimes, you might forget this and let worldly fears and doubts take over.
The Bible talks about renewing our mindsā¦
Which means replacing self-sabotaging thoughts and beliefs with Godās truth about yourself.Ā
Remember, God wants you to live a life full of freedom, purpose, and joy.
Not one held back by self-doubt or fear.
So, as you can see, in both the psychological and Christian views, itās clear that the heart of self-sabotage is often rooted in how we see ourselves and our fears.
Overcoming self-sabotage means working on understanding and changing these deep-seated beliefs and fears with spiritual truths.
Iāll leave you with these steps to help you stop self-sabotaging and a few prayer points against self-sabotage to get you started šā¦
5 Steps on How To Stop Self-Sabotaging
Here are five practical and gospel-centered steps to help you break free from sabotaging behaviors and patternsā¦
Earlier I said, āThe number one thing you can do to figure it out is invite the Holy Spiritā¦ā
Your Creator knows you best. Take your concerns to the throne of grace and ask God to reveal these things to you.
Once youāve invited the Holy Spirit into the equationā¦
- Recognize and Replace Negative Thoughts
Start by noticing when you have negative emotions and thoughts about yourself.
Write them down and replace them with positive affirmations and truths from the Bible.Ā
- Set Realistic Goals and Pray Over Them
Make goals that are achievable and align with Godās perfect plan for you. Pray for guidance and strength to reach these goals.Ā
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- Seek Support and Accountability
Tap into your church community and or see a faith-based therapist. Share your struggles and goals with them and ask for their support and accountability.Ā
- Embrace Self-Forgiveness and Godās Grace
Remember that everyone makes mistakes. Forgive yourself as God forgives you.
- Meditate and Reflect Through Prayer and Scripture
Spend time in prayer and reading the Bible. Reflect on scriptures that speak to your situation. Meditation can help calm your mind and align your thoughts with Godās word.Ā
3 Prayer Points Against Self-Sabotage
- Pray for a renewed mind and the strength to stop self-sabotaging.
- Pray for overcoming your fears and anxiety.
- Pray for self-acceptance and confidence.
Remember, the goal is freedom!Ā
Well, you are free ā because John 8:36 says, āHe who the Son sets free is free indeed.ā
Now itās a matter of stepping into that truth as you seek Godās help with deliverance from self-sabotage.
So as a beautiful daughter of God, understand that youāre not defined by your struggles but by the strength and grace you find in overcoming them.
This post taught you the true self sabotaging meaning, its signs, and how to stop self-sabotaging so you can enjoy the gift of freedom!
I hope my years of battling with self-worth and how God has transformed my heart will inspire you!
Continue to explore all my posts ā written with love and the Holy Spiritās guidance ā just for you!
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Thanks for being here. Remember, you are loved, precious, and wonderfully madeā¦