"Do not conform to the behaviors and customs of this world but let GOD transform and change the way you think"-- Romans 12:2
Today I had the opportunity to gratify my sinful nature. The part of me that wants to do what I want to do, when I want to do it, without any self-control whatsoever.
It's a very special anniversary for my husband and I. We decided to run errands together and then planned to stop and eat out. As my hunger increased I began to think a lot of about what I wanted to eat. It went from lean meats and fruit, to fried potato's, gravy laden biscuits and bacon. I didn't even realize what was happening. I was sitting there having an affair in my head with food.
Out of nowhere I heard a whisper, Mary, what are you doing? I realized I had been dreaming/thinking about making some really bad decisions that were going to move me away from my goal.
What is my goal?
"In the same way, their wives must be respected and must not slander others. They must exercise self-control and be faithful in everything they do."-- 1 Tim 3:11
"But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." Gal 5:22-23a
"In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone."-- 1 Peter 1:5-7
"So think clearly and exercise self-control. Look forward to the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world." 1 Peter 1:13
I immediately confessed to my husband what I had been doing and then made a plan to go somewhere where it would be easy to stay the course. We decided on Chic-fil-a. Even after we began traveling in that direction I must confess that I was still having conversations in my head, trying to justify having the fried chicken with french fries. That old flesh kept yapping in my ear but...,
I have no obligation whosoever to do what my sinful nature is urging me to do (Rom 8:12)
So I surrendered to the Lord and enjoyed a nice 7 point lunch. It was WONDERFUL and very satisfying. During my food affair that took place in my head, I could not imagine liking the baked chicken as much as the fried. I thought I was going to be deprived of something. Instead, I learned:
NOTHING TASTES AS GOOD AS OBEDIENCE TO THE LORD FEELS!
Mary, do not conform to the (old) behaviors and customs of the world but let ME change YOU!
hey Mary.... keep up the good work. (you don't know me but I am a friend of Stacia) Reading your journey is helping me get back on track with mine. I was/am a blogger myself. I haven't been able to blog for a little while now because of what?...I am not sure. Slowly I am coming back around. Again... Keep it up. You are doing awesome!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Elly. I would LOVE to know the link to your blog when you're ready to get started again. Praying for you tonight before I hit the "post comment" button.
ReplyDeleteMary I love this!!! WOOHOO YOU GO GIRL! I have found that now I crave chick fil a when I am out and about!! It is my go-to lunch on the go spot! I need to get in this book with you guys!! I found myself saying in my head tonight, I am made for more than this late night handful of goldfish. =)HI ELLY!
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