The other day my sweet mom dropped off cupcakes and 13-egg cookies, a friend gave me chocolates and our neighbor dropped off her annual delivery of Christmas peanut butter balls. Needless to say I ate a few things that day that I normally wouldn't eat. When I went to bed that night I told Stephen I wasn't going to have any more Christmas cookies/sweets. I am not sure that statement was realistic yet I do know certain choices will leave me with regret and other choices will leave me with more peace within.
The day after I told Stephen that, I was thinking about a quote I love:
"Just because everything is available, does not mean it is beneficial."
- Andy Stanley
This truth is applicable in so many areas of our lives. And that day this quote was a reminder to me that just because these extra sweets are available to me in this season, doesn't mean they are beneficial for me.
What is available to you that you know isn't beneficial for you?
I was in the kitchen that day and I saw the last peanut butter ball on the counter...and instead of walking away, I rationalized that if I ate it, then they would be gone and I wouldn't be tempted anymore. So I ate the last peanut butter ball.
Can you relate in some way? You say you aren't going to do something again, and you find yourself doing it again soon after?
This my friend is temptation.
Temptation is real in our lives, and not just with cookies. There is so much temptation around us everyday. And a root of our discontentment can be giving into temptations, like it was for me that night in ned.
The thing is often it's easier to give in. The path to temptation is clear. Choosing to practice self-control and be willing to turn from the temptations that don't benefit us is more challenging. And the reality is, trying to conquer it on our own strength will lead us to often fall short, but with God, His Spirit is willing and able to give us what we need to resist the temptations.
There is a powerful verse about temptation that I love to meditate on. I don't always remember to lean into this verse in the moment - obviously - but when I do remember, it truly helps shift my focus from the temptation to a new path. The verse is 1 Corinthians 10:13,
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
This verse is a reminder to me, and you, that we are all tempted, whether its by food, technology, money, gossip, power, or other desires. Yet this scripture tells us that God is faithful and will provide us a way out. Isn't that encouraging?!
Yet to know what we need to turn from it's important we identify our temptations. Let's take a moment to answer these two questions:
1. What are the top 1-3 temptations in my life?
2. When I am tempted, am I seeking a way out, or do I create an excuse to give into the temptation (like I did with the peanut butter ball that day)?
After taking time to answer those, I invite you to join me to...
pause. breathe. pray.™
We live in a world where temptation is around every corner as so much is available to us. Yet that does not mean what is available is beneficial to our wellbeing; our mind, body, soul, our relationships, etc. Let's ask God to prompt us within when we are tempted and, rather than giving into temptations, that we seek the way out He is offering us. May our prayer, and meditation on this scripture, help us turn away from what our personal temptations are so that when we lay our head down at night, rather than having regrets like I did that night, instead we experience a greater peace within that comes living more aligned with God's Word and Truth, as we choose the way out, rather then give into temptation.
With love and hope,
Shawn