Diet & Wisdom Appetizers

How many times have you heard someone say any of the following?

“I know I shouldn’t eat this but I’m going to anyway.” “I know I shouldn’t drink this but I’m going to anyway.” “I know I probably shouldn’t share this gossip, but I will anyway.” “I know I shouldn’t buy this because I’m broke, but I’m going to anyway.”

Or …

“I know I should apologize first, but I don’t feel like it.” “I know I should get up and exercise, but I don’t feel like it.” “I know I should go and visit my sick neighbor in the hospital, but I don’t feel like it because I’m too busy.” “I know I told that lady from church we’d get together for coffee because she needs a friend to talk to, but I just don’t have time, plus I didn’t really mean it when I said it. Everybody says stuff they don’t mean.” “God will understand because He knows how busy my life is.”

Just so you know, I’m not pointing fingers at anyone in particular regarding these statements, but sadly I’m letting you have a little peek at how horrible I’ve been in the past, because I’ve said or done all of these things – as recently as last night actually.

I was hanging out with a friend and I ordered a mega ice tea chocked full of caffeine and even though I don’t usually have too many issues with caffeine, I’ve not been sleeping well lately so I’ve been trying to cut back. But last night, I was enjoying wonderful “girl talk” fellowship so I had the strong ice tea anyway. Of course I paid the price for it with insomnia and a night wearing a pattern in the carpet trekking back and forth to the bathroom.

Sometimes I have to simply stop and ask myself, “Just how stupid am I?” To answer my own question, the correct answer would be pretty stupid apparently.

Whenever any statement we make is prefaced with, “I know I probably shouldn’t” that should be a lightning bolt from God’s mouth to our ears that tells us – “Hey, if you KNOW you shouldn’t – then don’t!”

For me personally I’m carrying most of my excess weight from a binge that started with, “I know I’m not really hungry and I really don’t need to eat this whole sleeve of Oreos but I’m depressed, so I’m going to anyway.”

When will I wake up and learn that the words of my mouth are digging my grave? I need to stand firm on God’s promises, say no to my flesh and tough it out and be master over my feelings and become the strong, confident woman God created me to be.

Somehow when it’s spelled out this way, it sounds so much easier, but I’m here to tell you that every day is a new day fraught with pitfalls. By taking everything one step at a time, taking every thought captive one thought at a time and praying for help and direction one prayer at a time, I believe God will help me to be victorious.

The road to success is dotted with many tempting parking places. ~Author Unknown

10 “Because you have obeyed my command to persevere, I will protect you from the great time of testing that will come upon the whole world to test those who belong to this world. 11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take away your crown. Revelation 3:10-11 (NLT)

PRAYER FOR TODAY: Lord I humbly ask that you would protect me from my own stupidity. Help me not to bow down to my feelings or my fickle, unpredictable, selfish flesh. May I walk uprightly in all your ways and give me lasting peace, wisdom, common sense and a genuine sense of joy and contentment each and every day. I ask all these things in your name, Lord Jesus. Amen.