Category: Law of Cause & Effect

Rock Bottom.  We’ve all heard that statement, but what does it really mean?  I’ve heard numerous people tell me about their struggles and say, “things will not change until they hit rock bottom.”  Why is that so?  Thanks to Leslie Householder and her FTMF Course I learned a few things about Rock Bottom that have made a huge difference in my life.

1.  Rock Bottom is the point of change.   Most people are muddling through their lives in a comfort zone.  Even with their disfunctions, habits, and messes, they are comfortable.  How do I know that, you ask?  Well, I know that because change is UNCOMFORTABLE.  You have to do something different, CHANGE what you are doing.   And until you reach the point where the situation is MORE uncomfortable than change itself, you will stay in your situation or circumstance.  The above picture is true because a ball cannot bounce back up until it hits a surface with which to change its course.  In our lives, we spiral downward until we are  ready to bounce back up.

2.  You cannot force rock bottom onto some people.  They have to hit it themselves.  Sometimes “getting caught” brings about a rock bottom, but for others, they may not even care.  Drug addicts, pornography addicts, alcoholics, depression, abuse– you name it– some of them can get caught and be grateful that finally someone will help them get out of their hell, but for others, they may not even care and you know that their lives will continue to get worse because they have not hit their own rock bottom .

3.  Rock bottom truly is a foundation.  I have found that if I use the foundation of Christ, my bounce up is so much better.   Most of us have to hit a low point before we turn to Christ or God for help.  We truck along thinking we can handle it.  For addicts, they may think that they can stop anytime they want.   But once you realize that you cannot do it alone, then you find yourself laying there on the road to Jerusalem waiting for a good Samaritan.  When we hit this point and look UP– out of the pit– toward our Savior, then we have hope to bounce back and toward Him.  He sends us family, friends, programs, scriptures to lift us up and help us out of our hole.  Using the Savior as your foundation will ensure you do not ever go this far down again.

4.  Rock bottom is about purification.   Recognizing those things within us that need change is part of the purification process.  I believe that is when we need Christ the most.  We are on our knees pleading for help and hope.  He uses this to purify our souls and come to him.  It’s called repentance.  It is the greatest gift.  He truly wants us to be with Him, and the Savior understands our problems in a way no other could understand.

5.  We can hit  Rock bottom because of our own choices and mistakes, but we can also hit them because of others.  Either way, there is a purification process going on.  If another’s choices have caused you to hit rock bottom, then you have an opportunity to learn about forgiveness and unconditional love.  Difficult?  YES!  Life changing if you do?  YES YES YES!  The most powerful feeling in the world is when you feel overcome with pure love through forgiveness.  I recommend it.  It’s not easy, but it will change your life in no other way.

6.  Rock bottom is not just for addicts.  Rock bottom is for any of us trying to live a better life and get rid of habits and mind sets that are not for our best self.  Gossip, judging, hypocrite, dishonest, sarcastic, critical, naggy, bitter, envious, jealous?  Don’t think the addicts have the corner on the market.  They just have the bigger, easier to see and point-a-finger-at problems.  Try for one week to not say an unkind or critical thing to anyone.  Try not to THINK an unkind or critical thing of anyone– or pass judgment.  It is not an easy thing to do because most of us have spent a lifetime developing that trait.  Then when you see how difficult it is, have some pity and empathy for the addicts who are trying to quit.  It’s HARD!    You’ll see that casting stones and looking at motes in others eyes takes on a whole new meaning.  It’s hard to stop cold turkey.  First you have to WANT to change and second, you have to WORK at it.

7.  True Rock Bottom creates the most permanent change.  Those who hit true rock bottom and know that they never want to go there again, usually will not.  They somehow can quit “cold turkey.”   I admire these people because  they will make their decision and never look back.  There are also some who truly desire, but struggle a little more and have some set backs.   Either way, if the desire is there.  They will make the change.  And they always become a powerful force for good.

8.  The BEST news about Rock Bottom–There are different levels.  One of the best things I learned from Leslie’s course is that I can CHOOSE my rock bottom.  In the past, I would wallow, sulk, whine and complain my way to the depths of despair.  As soon as I understood this principle of CHOOSING my rock bottom, I started making a conscious choice to stop myself.  As I was going through the FTMF course, I found myself on a higher vibration than I had ever been before.  I was learning how to think better.  I was happy.  I was feeling the spirit all the time.  I felt a deep joy I had never felt before.  All of a sudden, I NEVER wanted to go back to those other feelings.  I LIKED the higher place.  So I would try and catch myself and say, “Nope this is rock bottom for me.”  When I started thinking unkind thoughts about someone, or becoming upset at what someone had said, I stopped myself.  I didn’t want to be a judgmental, envious person anymore!  I was done with that!  Have I conquered that entirely?  No.  But I am doing SO much better.  It is a powerful concept to raise your rock bottom.  I HIGHLY recommend trying it!

Be grateful for rock bottom.  Bounce up!  Use Christ as your foundation.  Raise your rock bottom.   Rebuild your life!