What’s the Rule Behind the Pattern?
By Sheba Empowers
Whew, chile…
The other day, our children were watching what seemed like a simple educational math program. At first, I smiled as they covered the basics: addition, subtraction, and even how to read an analog clock. Nothing out of the ordinary.
Then came a lesson I never saw coming.
Patterns.
Something about that word made me stop what I was doing. I turned my attention to the television because I sensed there was a lesson waiting for me too.
The teacher began explaining simple number patterns. Then he said something that completely arrested my attention:
“Every pattern has a rule. If you ever want to unlock a pattern, you have to figure out the rule governing it.”
I just sat there.
No exaggeration, that one sentence preached an entire sermon to me.
Immediately my mind shifted away from math and into life.
How many of us have noticed patterns in our lives?
The same disappointments.
The same relationship cycles.
The same financial struggles.
The same emotional triggers.
The same family dysfunction.
The same spiritual battles.
Many of us have become experts at recognizing our patterns, but recognition alone isn’t transformation.
Because here’s what I realized:
Every life pattern is being governed by a rule.
A rule may be a belief you’ve carried since childhood.
It may be fear masquerading as wisdom.
It may be unforgiveness that quietly dictates your decisions.
It may be generational thinking that was handed down without ever being questioned.
It may even be words spoken over your life that you unknowingly accepted as truth.
The pattern is only the symptom.
The rule is the root.
And until we confront the rule, we’ll keep repeating the pattern.
Think about it.
If the rule says…
“I’m not enough.”
You’ll continually sabotage opportunities.
If the rule says…
“People always leave.”
You’ll struggle to trust healthy relationships.
If the rule says…
“Money never stays with us.”
You’ll unknowingly make decisions that reinforce lack.
The pattern simply obeys the rule you’ve allowed to govern your life.
That’s why healing requires more than identifying what’s happening.
It requires asking better questions.
What belief is fueling this?
What lie have I partnered with?
What truth have I ignored?
When you address the rule, you begin dismantling the pattern.
That’s where real freedom begins.
For me, this was a defining moment.
I made a fresh commitment that every generational cycle, unhealthy mindset, limiting belief, and destructive habit that does not serve God’s purpose for my life stops with me.
Not because I’m perfect.
But because I’m willing to do the work.
I’m willing to invite God into the hidden places.
I’m willing to confront what has been quietly governing my decisions.
I’m willing to exchange lies for truth.
The beautiful thing about Jesus is that He didn’t simply die so we could survive.
He died so we could be free.
As Galatians 5:1 reminds us:
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”
Freedom isn’t automatic.
It must be protected.
It must be stewarded.
And sometimes it begins by asking one simple question:
What rule has been governing the patterns in my life?
This month, I want to challenge you.
Don’t just identify the pattern.
Dig deeper.
Find the rule.
Because when you expose the rule, you weaken its power.
When you replace the lie with God’s truth, the pattern no longer has permission to remain.
My August Challenge for You
Take a moment this week and identify one recurring pattern in your life.
Then ask yourself:
- What belief is driving this?
- Where did I learn it?
- Does it align with God’s truth?
- What new truth do I need to embrace?
Remember this:
Address the rule.
Eradicate the pattern.
Freedom is your inheritance.
Now walk in it.
With love,
Sheba Empowers