Every time I tell myself I will give up sugar (usually after a day of binging on cookies and candy), the next day the temptation is there and I take it - without even thinking about it. For example, after eating at least four cookies last night that hubby had baked for his men's group, I felt so icky I decided 'no more sugar'. Going to cut back. Going to do without. He gave me the leftover bag to bring into work this morning. So with my first cup of coffee here at the office.... of course I have a sugar cookie to go with it. sigh. But on a positive note, I put the rest out for everyone else to have.
It is so easy for each of us to 'enter into temptation', isn't it. It can be any type of food or drink, any activity or just about anything. Temptation is all around us. Now to justify, some temptation is good, and some is bad. Eating cookies is truly not bad. In fact, they are very good. It's just that they aren't very good for my body as they tend to not only make me fat, but also to slow me down and make me feel blah. The same thing happens when I overeat. And I seem to have done that quite a bit lately too. Every evening and every morning I have to tell myself 'you need to get a grip on this'! But I use rationale to do what I'm tempted to do.
What about you? Do you find yourself being tempted to do things you really know aren't good for you?
During the Lord's prayer we pray, "and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil"..... well, as you and I both know, The Lord does NOT lead us into temptation, but it is there and He alone can deliver us from it. Sometimes we can grow from temptations, and other times we fall deeper into it.
Sometimes the temptation to say things can create major issues. Sometimes the words 'just come out' of your mouth before you realize it. I think that falls under 'out of the heart the mouth speaketh' section. If you are anything like me, you know without a doubt that if you say the 'wrong thing' - even if it is the 'right thing' - you get what I call the 'devil look' from the one spoken to. Yeah, I got that look last night again. And what I said wasn't wrong. It was the way it was received.
But I do need to cut back on the sweets, the breads, the chips, - all the things I gave up for 21 days already this year - I think I'm trying to make up for it now. Part of it is probably I'm weary about some things, concerned about others, hurting about still others, and broken hearted about others. Sometimes life just isn't fun and you wonder when it will end. I can understand why people overeat. I can understand why people drink too much.
My mother once told me, "If I ever took that first drink, I never would have stopped." I never thought much about that statement, although it stuck with me for years. I have come to understand that statement, more than I would like to. But I have also learned that drinking too much does not remove the pain, it's still there. It doesn't remove the trials and hardships, they are still there. When we get sober, the issues are still there, and sometimes made worse by the drinking. Or the overeating. Or the getting angry.
Nothing is going to change unless we change.
And the real question is - do WE want to change? Do I really want to give up sugar - cookies, cakes, brownies, chocolate..... so that my body will feel better? Yes, I do. But will I? Doubtful. Why? Because I don't really want to.
When I quit smoking many, many years ago, I decided I wanted to quit. I told God I was going to quit. I made the decision to quit - and I did, cold turkey. I have never looked back. Was I tempted a time or two when around friends who smoked? Sometimes. But I did not give in. I've learned over the years that since I had been a smoker - and quit - the strong odor on people hits me pretty hard at times. Some are really careful about it and always make sure they have ventilation.... one of the guys I work with smokes - I didn't know it until I saw him light up outside from an office window. I commented to his boss I didn't know it - and she goes 'oh yeah'. But he doesn't smell like it. But there are some women here who must spray it on themselves for they come in and the odor is so bad you don't want to sit next to them because you are afraid it will rub off on you.
But there are I go. My mind was tempted to say it's piece - and tried to. and perhaps did. I may tease others who smoke - but the final choice to quit is theirs. Who wants to kiss an ashtray? ick.
I've already had one sugar cookie this morning with my coffee as I write this. I think I can resist the rest, but I know I have "lunch" with our meeting today - and I think we are having chicken and pasta, salad, and of course..... delicious cookies.... usually snickerdoodles and brownies.... and chocolate chip cookies.... Lord, please help me to resist!!
Is there something YOU need to resist today? Think about it!
Blessings!
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