Sugar Overload

I gave in. Friends were coming over for dinner, so I had the perfect excuse to make dessert. And not just any dessert - but one boasting three delectable kinds of chocolate. With my willpower on a swift decline, I included a sugary-helping of dessert with both lunch and dinner. A little help from my family ensured that the Chocolate Explosion was polished off over the course of the weekend.

By Sunday evening, I had to admit I had overdone it. Not only did my clothes feel a bit too tight, but the sugar had overwhelmed my immune system. Sluggishness, a sore throat and head congestion greeted me Monday morning. Ugh! If only I could rewind to Friday and go lighter on the dessert throughout the weekend. Live and learn.

If I practiced some self-control where the Chocolate Explosion was concerned, I may have avoided getting sick. I had bumped into an undeniable truth: self control is important in all areas of my life - even in the small things.

Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit, also known as temperance (Galatians 5:22-23; KJV). Yielding to the Spirit is the key to living a life filled with this precious fruit. Is it easy? No - it requires hard work. My old sin nature is constantly at war with my new spiritual nature. That's why the apostle Peter says to diligently pursue adding some things to my faith. Pursuing something diligently means work is involved!

   

What should I be striving to add to my faith? "And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance (self-control); and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity," (2 Peter 1:5-7). Lots of great things I need to add to my faith - one of which is temperance.

Self-control doesn't come naturally. It's something I have to learn. The apostle Paul put it best when speaking with the Philippians, "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me," (Philippians 4:11-13).

How was Paul able to exercise self-control and contentment in these situations? He submitted himself to the will of Christ and obeyed the Lord in each circumstance. As a result he was able to demonstrate self-control and he experienced contentment.

With the holiday season right around the corner, the reality is that I WILL be making desserts and attending festivities where sugary goodies will be the highlight. My plan? Remember the example of the apostle Paul - demonstrate self-control and learn to be content with a modest portion!

Do you struggle with self-control? What step will you take to put this fruit of the Spirit into practice in your own life?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for the fruit of the Spirit that includes self-control. Help me to realize the importance of demonstrating self-control even in the small areas. Teach me to be content, knowing that you are able to strengthen me in every situation. In Jesus' name, Amen.

*I'm hosting over at Living by Grace today. Come join in the discussion!

Blogging Birthday!

The month of June marks two years. Two years of blogging. What a journey it's been. As I look back on all the life lessons I've shared - I'm grateful for growth in so many areas and even more grateful for God's grace in the areas where development is still needed. His direction for me is clear, "But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ," (2 Peter 3:18a; KJV).

Passing along the lessons God is teaching me has been a joyful, and sometimes humbling experience. My goal has been to consistently share the practical truths of God's Word to bring honor and glory to Him. In the coming year, my goal remains the same.

But being consistent has its challenges. Life is hectic. Distractions will come. It's easy for me to get swept away in the current of the urgent and not attend to the important. Balance in each area of life is crucial. Staying focused and motivated are keys. King Solomon penned these wise words, "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life," (Proverbs 4:23). Truth is, I'll find time to do what I want to do. My task is to concentrate on those things that keep my feet on the right path.

Need an example? Glad you asked. The Lord has given me a desire to write. With summer here, our daughter home from college, a number of projects needing to be tackled, and the same amount of writing to be done, I feel torn in a million directions. Instead of throwing my hands up in frustration and giving into defeat, God's Word shares a different perspective: diligence and perseverance.

It's easy to say I'll do something. Following through is the hard part. Paul wrote to the Corinthian believers about this exact situation, "And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago. Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have," (2 Corinthians 8:10-11; italics mine). These Christians had a great plan. They wanted to collect money for the churches in Jerusalem. The problem? Over the time period of a year, nothing had come of their plan. Paul encouraged them to be diligent and persevere - to follow through.

Choosing to be diligent and persevere in the face of difficulties isn't easy. But it's the right thing to do. And God's blessing will follow. "For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have showed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. And we desire that every one of you do show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises," (Hebrews 6:10-12).

Do you struggle with follow through? How would a commitment to being diligent and to persevere change the outcome?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your continued work in my life. Thank You for showing me the importance of following through - of being diligent and persevering. Give me the strength and help I need to focus on Your truth, and stay on the path You have for me. In Jesus' name, Amen.