What Thoughts Are Dragging You Away
James 1:12-15 "God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him. And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, "God is tempting me." God is never tempted to do wrong, and He never tempts anyone else. Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death."
In the world of "blame" it seems much easier for us to 'blame' others verses taking responsibility for our own actions. We do it all the time, in many different ways. I too, have fallen to this habit. When I was totally engrossed in my ED (eating disorder), I would blame ALL sorts of people, places, and things for the choices and actions I did! Yup, I even blamed God for those temptations, which then lead to my actions. However, working on the "inner" me, and my unhealthy connection to food, I am learning that it was ME - MY desires, MY selfishness that lead to MY choices. Talk about seeing a picture of me in chains, being drug away in the middle of my eating binges.... the chains of bondage to those desires and the lack of self-control - well, is a pretty vivid picture in my head right now!
The donut shop is one that just popped in my head. The secrecy of doing something that no-one else sees or knows about. Here's how it went many times for me: I would wake up and start getting ready for the day. I would fix a 'healthy' breakfast, but as I did, I would be craving a buttermilk bar. Pretty soon, as I'm eating the 'good' breakfast, all I am thinking about is the donut. As I'm getting dressed for work, preparing my food for the day... the donut is TOP on my mind. My desire is SO strong for this donut, that I even drive a different way to work, just to go by the shop that sells them. My desires are taking control. Then, as I approach the shop, there is a line! A line, means that I cannot stop and get one, because then I would be late for work. Well, this puts me into a whirlwind of thoughts, "Where is there another on on the way to work?" "Which street should I turn down?" "Where can I get one and have it gone before getting in to the office?" Talk about being ruled by my emotions and thoughts! Talk about being "drug away" and consumed with desires that were not good for me. I would find myself even getting a bit fussy towards other drivers. I found myself, in a sort of 'panic' and the thought of "what if I cannot find one?" Talk about the verses above nailing it right on the head, the progression of this unhealthy thought leading to action, really was leading me to death, and I just didn't know it! The desires that were dragging me away, lead me to take actions that were desperate and dishonest. These actions grew into a 'death' of sorts. I had blind determination to fulfill that desire for that donut, even at the cost of being late to work, but more than that - it was the death of me hearing Gods voice. The death of me listening to the Holy Spirits nudging, to accept the food I already ate, and make a better choice. The death of healthy choices for my body.
The progression between thoughts, desires, actions, and death follow the same pattern in other areas of our lives too. Food is the one that popped in my head today. I am now holding on to the promise of the very first verse: "God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation." The blessings for enduring through my self-inflicted testing and temptations are WAY better then the fleeting moments of satisfaction from the poor food choices I made. Am I perfect in this? NO WAY!! God does not ask us to be perfect, but to strive for progress each and every day! Today, I made better choices than I did yesterday. Today, I gave my desires over to God, to filter through Jesus, and listened to the Holy Spirit in what He guided me to do/say/act.
It is not easy, breaking bad habits, not one bit! But it IS worth it!! If you are struggling with something that is "dragging you away in chains" then stop, breathe, and pray. Just talk to God and ask for His help. His promise is to give us a new mind, new thoughts, and new behaviors. It is NOT in our own power or will, but in His will and with His power that we CAN break the chains of bondage that we face from our own desires! It starts with one step of faith. I'm praying for you to be blessed with a LOT of faith today - to follow what is good, right, and healthy for you. Have a GREAT day!
In the world of "blame" it seems much easier for us to 'blame' others verses taking responsibility for our own actions. We do it all the time, in many different ways. I too, have fallen to this habit. When I was totally engrossed in my ED (eating disorder), I would blame ALL sorts of people, places, and things for the choices and actions I did! Yup, I even blamed God for those temptations, which then lead to my actions. However, working on the "inner" me, and my unhealthy connection to food, I am learning that it was ME - MY desires, MY selfishness that lead to MY choices. Talk about seeing a picture of me in chains, being drug away in the middle of my eating binges.... the chains of bondage to those desires and the lack of self-control - well, is a pretty vivid picture in my head right now!
The donut shop is one that just popped in my head. The secrecy of doing something that no-one else sees or knows about. Here's how it went many times for me: I would wake up and start getting ready for the day. I would fix a 'healthy' breakfast, but as I did, I would be craving a buttermilk bar. Pretty soon, as I'm eating the 'good' breakfast, all I am thinking about is the donut. As I'm getting dressed for work, preparing my food for the day... the donut is TOP on my mind. My desire is SO strong for this donut, that I even drive a different way to work, just to go by the shop that sells them. My desires are taking control. Then, as I approach the shop, there is a line! A line, means that I cannot stop and get one, because then I would be late for work. Well, this puts me into a whirlwind of thoughts, "Where is there another on on the way to work?" "Which street should I turn down?" "Where can I get one and have it gone before getting in to the office?" Talk about being ruled by my emotions and thoughts! Talk about being "drug away" and consumed with desires that were not good for me. I would find myself even getting a bit fussy towards other drivers. I found myself, in a sort of 'panic' and the thought of "what if I cannot find one?" Talk about the verses above nailing it right on the head, the progression of this unhealthy thought leading to action, really was leading me to death, and I just didn't know it! The desires that were dragging me away, lead me to take actions that were desperate and dishonest. These actions grew into a 'death' of sorts. I had blind determination to fulfill that desire for that donut, even at the cost of being late to work, but more than that - it was the death of me hearing Gods voice. The death of me listening to the Holy Spirits nudging, to accept the food I already ate, and make a better choice. The death of healthy choices for my body.
The progression between thoughts, desires, actions, and death follow the same pattern in other areas of our lives too. Food is the one that popped in my head today. I am now holding on to the promise of the very first verse: "God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation." The blessings for enduring through my self-inflicted testing and temptations are WAY better then the fleeting moments of satisfaction from the poor food choices I made. Am I perfect in this? NO WAY!! God does not ask us to be perfect, but to strive for progress each and every day! Today, I made better choices than I did yesterday. Today, I gave my desires over to God, to filter through Jesus, and listened to the Holy Spirit in what He guided me to do/say/act.
It is not easy, breaking bad habits, not one bit! But it IS worth it!! If you are struggling with something that is "dragging you away in chains" then stop, breathe, and pray. Just talk to God and ask for His help. His promise is to give us a new mind, new thoughts, and new behaviors. It is NOT in our own power or will, but in His will and with His power that we CAN break the chains of bondage that we face from our own desires! It starts with one step of faith. I'm praying for you to be blessed with a LOT of faith today - to follow what is good, right, and healthy for you. Have a GREAT day!
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