How do you handle it?

One of my favorite sayings is with much distance comes much resistance. Basically, it means to me that in separating ourselves from tempting things, the distance builds a strong resistance to the source of the temptation.

One thing I am finding in this theory is that distance from your temptation can't be fueled by fear.  In that case, the distance creates more harm than good.  For instance, I love avocados.  After tasting my son-in-laws homemade avocado dip and a mountain of chips, I was in like with the avocado.  Now...I want it, a lot.  I love the taste of it.  I also know that avocado is a good healthy fat and I know that I can allow the avocado as a healthy eating option.  

I have to train myself to control my want for it and only eat it in measured portions. 

Otherwise, I will go falling head-over-heels for it.  

I can't allow myself to go head over heels over food...again.  Not avocado, not chocolate, not any foods that will tempt me back into disobedience. 

No, I won't go back there.  

Not because I know it's not a healthy path for me to take.  That is true; it is not a healthy option for me.  But every time avocado dip steps up to the dance floor and asks me if I would like to participate I have to consider the costs.  I have to.  That's the way I reason food now.  Is it fuel for my body or is it a pleasure and comfort?

In a moment’s notice, my heart feels like I could go back to my former ways.

  

"Comfort is the one thing you cannot get by looking for it.  If you look for truth, you may find comfort in the end:  if you look for comfort you will not get either comfort or truth--only soft soap and wishful thinking to begin with and, in the end, despair ”C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity.

There has to be a point that I say no to sin.  I have to put distance between me and my wanting-avocado-ways.  I will do everything I can to keep a safe distance, building resistance, from those dangerous temptations.  This distance that I create for myself is giving me some food margin.  That's how I have to handle food in my mind, because I don't want to spoil the good work that God has done in my heart regarding the inappropriate love of food above Him.

So knowing the temptations I will guard my mind and heart against what is the doing the tempting or the alluring.  When the door of temptation swings wide open and gives me an offer, the opportunity for obedience is gently present.  Food will always be a violent assault on my senses.  The hinge, the catalyst, for my action towards temptation is called resistance.

It really doesn't have to be this complicated does it?  How do you handle temptations?

Deep stuff Monday…

It's "National-Hop-On-It" Day!

2012 Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Champion - Joey Chestnut

Joey Chestnut won the 2012 Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Championship "Blowout". He said the hardest part of the contest was the eating the "first hot dog and the last." I guess once you get in the groove of cramming processed meat and soaked hot dog buns down your gullet
you don't notice how gross it is. Needless to say I could never participate in that contest.

He has won this championship six years in a row. There was a point in his life when he started.

Is there something you’ve been wanting to do but have never quite got around to it? Do you have half-finished projects from Pinterest sitting around calling your name?

I do too.
Let's see...There's that running plan I need to start.
A new diet plan on Monday, and every perpetual Monday after.
Writing that thank you note.
Making that adorable craft you found on Pinterest.
Printing those pictures stuck in your camera.
Encouraging someone.
Serving at church.
Finishing those ten books from last summer.
Yeah...me too. All of it.

My reality is I have started all of these and want to complete all of these all at the same time. And you know what? I have failed.

I want to finish reading one book. Just one, because I have started ten.

I have a three writing projects circulating in my brain.  I need to get them out. I’ve been wanting to do that for months. I keep thinking, “I want to write that.”

I have Africa pictures on my camera still...from last October.

But my wanting something to happen and my actually making it happen are immensely seperated by my real chasm in the middle.

Starting is exciting to me. Casting vision is invigorating. It fuels.  But committing to start something and taking the first step drains me.  So.....why can't I start? 


Because....I don't want to stop.

I have found that it's impossible to get out of the rut of my already busy schedule and add something else. For me it’s hard to start something new, when I have so many unfinished tasks on the list.

So, instead of starting on my list, I just keep thinking about them. When I keep thinking about all the unfinished ideas...my mind gets cluttered. I want to give up. I become overwhelmed, the list becomes complicated and then I shut down. I basically fall into the trap of "I just can't".

The end of my day arrives and I will see reminders of my failures in piles. On the couch, on my desk, on the floor, and I will go to bed thinking about how another day has rolled by without me getting started.

So....how can I turn this around? I am declaring this National-Hop-On-It-Day!

I am going to pick one thing I want to finish today. It's a small task like writing a thank you note. So...are you in?  Can you choose one thing you want to do and then do it? I’ll be here.

For larger projects, I will break them down into doable daily things so that I keep moving forward. All I need to do is commit to starting...something, is better than nothing.

So are you ready? Set? Go?