Sunday dinner, everyone gathered 'round the table to socialize and
grow closer. You know this saying (mom said it countless times when
you weren't listening), but really it's a time where you stuff 'till
you bust! Pearly whites sink into freshly cut watermelon slices and
devour hamburgers, hot dogs, and steaks hot off the grill. Hints of
hickory smoke waif under your nose as you enjoy every succulent bite.
The kids lie down on freshly cut grass to take a short nap as the
feast digests. You spot that last chocolate chip cookie on the plate
auntie made. The thought races through your mind, "you know you're on
a diet." You try to resist that ohhhhh so good temptation. The
gooey chocolate tastes so good on your taste buds as you devour every
morsel.
The morning breaks, up and at 'um, same old, same old. Breakfast,
shower, shave, then pull out today's outfit. On goes the shirt, socks,
and then the pants. The Levi's feel a little snugger than usual.
"Hmmm," you think to yourself as you zip em' up. After all of that you
reach the button. With a little bit of effort and a lot of sucking in,
you button your drawers. "I've been dieting!" Now in total disgust you
storm back to the restroom, step onto the scale and find your pants
aren't lying. You've racked on a few pounds, the six pack vanished,
the chubs are back!
All I can say is.....TEMPTATIONS SUCK!
It's sooooooo hard to not give into temptation, how can I avoid regret?
WWJD (What would Jesus Do): Dude! Everyone has temptations. Each of us
struggle with that one little thing (fill in the blank for your weakness).
Recognize that weak link and realize your struggles. In the KJV Bible
Jesus Christ fasted for forty days and nights with NO food or water.
Jesus Christ was the only one who could do this! During His agonizing fast,
Satan (the devil), tried tempting Christ. Satan tried to persuade Christ to turn
rocks into bread. As told in no better words comes the story of Jesus Christ's
moment of temptation.
1 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be
tempted of the devil.
2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward
an hungred.
3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of
God, command that these stones be made bread.
4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread
alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
(Matthew 4:1-4)
Think about it, even Jesus Christ was tempted. It can happen to anyone.
MAKE A GAME PLAN: The Seattle Seahawks wouldn't have won the Super
Bowl if they just ran out on the field to play a pickup game of touch
football with the Colts. The Seahawks triumphant win came from hours
of practice, reviews of game footage, and most importantly a killer
game plan. Christ didn't start his fast without a end goal; in all
of His hunger and agony still did not give into temptation and enticements of the devil.
How could this be!!!!!!! When Fasting, I salivate over even the thought of
something sweet. Wouldn't you? Christ didn't, because he made a game
plan.
YOU DECIDE: In a bind, it suuuuper hard to make the right choice.
Setting a game plan, means planning ahead when your head is clear.
Here's an example of a game plan I made before going to a party. "I'm
not going to do anything that I will regret even if Hannah* (my
BIGGEST crush) hits me up." I went to the party and sure enough, got
hit up by Hannah. Those royal blue eyes, red lips, short skirt, and a hint
of vanilla perfume beckoned, but I didn't flinch. What! Most guys
would have jumped on the chance! In situations like that, if a game
plan is set when in a stable frame of mind you won't flinch. You can
immediately switch into auto pilot and steer clear of the storm.
Ok, so we know that temptation sucks! Temptations of sex outside of
traditional marriage (between a man and woman), alcohol, and drugs
plague our world. You can avoid it! With God all things are possible.
Know it, live it, love it! No matter what you've done in the past,
there is always a way out. Through our savior all can be made right
and protect us in the future. Da' game plan is the way to go! Avoid
even that last sneaky chocolate chip cookie!
*name has been changed
Having a game plan in place is very important for sure as well as being internally (read spiritually and with your whole heart) committed to stay with the plan NO MATTER WHAT!
ReplyDeleteBut also of great importance is to follow the example of the creation of this earth as described in the scriptures. The creation was completely done spiritually before the physical event! See The Pearl of Great Price, Moses 3:4-5. Verse 5 reads, "And every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the of the field before it grew. For I, the Lord God, created all things, of which I have spoken, spiritually before they were naturally upon the face of the earth."
So before you set out on your day or week, take the time in prayer to spiritually "create" how you want your journey to go. Anticipate the temptations that may arise in your prayer and pray for the desire and strength to overcome them when they do present themselves! Then when they do arise, draw on the power of the Lord's promise that He will be with you through it all!
This may mean your morning prayer may take longer than one to two minutes but it will be worth it!
Awesome post :)
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