The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Isaiah 58:11
We all have priorities in our life, some are obvious, some, not so obvious. We need to eat, sleep, do chores, relax, spend time with family, friends, have some alone time with God, etc. For me, the not so obvious priorities are to persistently file the nicks off my fingernails and toenails, eat a honey bun at night (microwaved 12 seconds) with a glass of milk right before I go to bed, check on my kids constantly (no matter where we are or what we are doing) and check my e-mail far, far too often (even if I’m not expecting anything important).
I need all these things in my life to feel complete. Is all of it appropriate? Maybe. Is all of it normal? Not for everyone, but for me it is. All of these things provide the ebb and flow of my life that makes it a typical day for me.
Before my 2nd child was born, I had no trouble sleeping. But, when I had two little guys in the house, both waking up every couple of hours, I was continually staying up all night long. It was awful. It was then that I discovered sleep aids.
As a stay at home mom, boredom and loneliness can set in. The need to be with and talk to other adults is a huge need. Needing some interaction is important for all of us. Then came Facebook.
Lord, please help all of my daily routines to be ones that build me up, not tear me down. Help me to understand the difference.
The Pull
I found that the very commandment that was intended to bring life actually brought death. For sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, deceived me and through the commandment, put me to death. Romans 7:10-11
Basically, most addictions start because a need must be filled, innocently. I found that if I took a sleep aide each night, then I could actually fall back asleep in between each child waking up. At the time, it was a glorious discovery. Well, now my children sleep fine, but I do not, unless I have a sleep aid. I have tried and tried to quit taking them, only to stay up very late, or only get a few hours of sleep. After several days of this, I give in and start taking it again.
Regarding Facebook: It really is a good and wonderful thing, all of us (you know who you are) can banter with each other, connect with long lost friends/relatives and share our lives with others. When I first discovered the Scrabble game on there, it was so much fun. Then it happened, NOTHING ELSE MATTERED! All I wanted to do was see if it was my turn! I was obsessed with getting the highest score. It was so weird, because I could think of nothing else.
Every thing else in my life, that once was part of my routine, was suddenly secondary. All of my normal customary habits were swiftly becoming very, very tiny in my mind. They were now unimportant and insignificant.
Checking on my kids, no longer important. Getting dinner cooked, it can wait. Quiet time alone, only with a computer. Getting a high score on a word….now we’re talking.
Lord, when something good starts to turn in to something bad, please, make me immediately aware.
Basically, most addictions start because a need must be filled, innocently. I found that if I took a sleep aide each night, then I could actually fall back asleep in between each child waking up. At the time, it was a glorious discovery. Well, now my children sleep fine, but I do not, unless I have a sleep aid. I have tried and tried to quit taking them, only to stay up very late, or only get a few hours of sleep. After several days of this, I give in and start taking it again.
Regarding Facebook: It really is a good and wonderful thing, all of us (you know who you are) can banter with each other, connect with long lost friends/relatives and share our lives with others. When I first discovered the Scrabble game on there, it was so much fun. Then it happened, NOTHING ELSE MATTERED! All I wanted to do was see if it was my turn! I was obsessed with getting the highest score. It was so weird, because I could think of nothing else.
Every thing else in my life, that once was part of my routine, was suddenly secondary. All of my normal customary habits were swiftly becoming very, very tiny in my mind. They were now unimportant and insignificant.
Checking on my kids, no longer important. Getting dinner cooked, it can wait. Quiet time alone, only with a computer. Getting a high score on a word….now we’re talking.
Lord, when something good starts to turn in to something bad, please, make me immediately aware.
All the Different Ways and Types
I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me.
Romans 7: 15- 17
Why did you start looking at the pornographic websites? Initially to give you the satisfaction you are not getting?
Why did you first take way too many drinks every night?
To calm you down after a long day?
Why did you first flirt with the married co-worker?
Maybe that person built you up instead of tearing you down?
Why do you keep eating the foods you know are bad for you? Possibly you just needed something to make you feel better?
Why do you sit on the internet when you know you should be spending time with your children or God?
Because you think you can’t get what you need from God or your kids?
Why do you keep purchasing stuff you do not really need?
Is it because you need a quick pick up me up that you can not seem to find any other way?
There are many, many types of addictions. Keep yourself in check or it will consume you if you let it. It will control your life if you don’t control it. It will cause everything and everyone to be secondary to “it”. Because of the way sin works, you won’t even know it until it’s too late or seemingly impossible to remedy.
Lord, open my eyes to my daily activities; show me where I need to take control back.
Romans 7: 15- 17
Why did you start looking at the pornographic websites? Initially to give you the satisfaction you are not getting?
Why did you first take way too many drinks every night?
To calm you down after a long day?
Why did you first flirt with the married co-worker?
Maybe that person built you up instead of tearing you down?
Why do you keep eating the foods you know are bad for you? Possibly you just needed something to make you feel better?
Why do you sit on the internet when you know you should be spending time with your children or God?
Because you think you can’t get what you need from God or your kids?
Why do you keep purchasing stuff you do not really need?
Is it because you need a quick pick up me up that you can not seem to find any other way?
There are many, many types of addictions. Keep yourself in check or it will consume you if you let it. It will control your life if you don’t control it. It will cause everything and everyone to be secondary to “it”. Because of the way sin works, you won’t even know it until it’s too late or seemingly impossible to remedy.
Lord, open my eyes to my daily activities; show me where I need to take control back.
What Now?
So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.
Romans 7:17
This scripture can be mis-leading. It is still YOU committing the sin, but the point is that you have control over “the sin” in your life. You may not think you do but YOU DO, especially with God’s help. Sin is the devil’s way of trying to have power over us. You can not let sin dictate your life. Your future, your family, your finances, your relationship with God: All of these things are far, far too important to let evil work its way in and win. There are stories after stories of people that innocently started doing something that ultimately consumed and ruined their lives. The key is to be aware and take control as soon as possible.
It is a moment by moment and prayerful process. Oddly enough, I have never prayed to stop the sleep aides. I have just tried it on my own, without asking for God’s help. As I write this and urge you to use two key processes: Your will and God’s help, I know what I have to do.
Moment by moment: Each and every time you reach for the mouse, the cookie, the credit card, the drink: You can simply walk away and find something else to do to occupy your mind, one moment at a time. Do something physical to make it easier to say no: Don’t buy the alcohol, leave the computer off, don’t buy the cookies and give your credit cards to a friend/loved one. Anything it takes to make the first step harder. Then back it up with prayer. God is there and He wants to help, you have to ask though.
Lord, give me the strength to say no. Give me the wisdom to ask for Your help.
Romans 7:17
This scripture can be mis-leading. It is still YOU committing the sin, but the point is that you have control over “the sin” in your life. You may not think you do but YOU DO, especially with God’s help. Sin is the devil’s way of trying to have power over us. You can not let sin dictate your life. Your future, your family, your finances, your relationship with God: All of these things are far, far too important to let evil work its way in and win. There are stories after stories of people that innocently started doing something that ultimately consumed and ruined their lives. The key is to be aware and take control as soon as possible.
It is a moment by moment and prayerful process. Oddly enough, I have never prayed to stop the sleep aides. I have just tried it on my own, without asking for God’s help. As I write this and urge you to use two key processes: Your will and God’s help, I know what I have to do.
Moment by moment: Each and every time you reach for the mouse, the cookie, the credit card, the drink: You can simply walk away and find something else to do to occupy your mind, one moment at a time. Do something physical to make it easier to say no: Don’t buy the alcohol, leave the computer off, don’t buy the cookies and give your credit cards to a friend/loved one. Anything it takes to make the first step harder. Then back it up with prayer. God is there and He wants to help, you have to ask though.
Lord, give me the strength to say no. Give me the wisdom to ask for Your help.
Recovery
Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 7: 24-25
We all know what is right and what is wrong. Do not trick yourself into believing it is ok to keep doing what you are doing. Don’t let evil win by fooling you in to thinking you can not take control and change your habits. You can! Becoming aware that you want to change is the first step.
Stay in the word of God, stay in church, stay in community. We all need people to “check” us. We have to be completely honest with ourselves, God and our friends/family about wanting to change. Once sin is brought to light, it can no longer hide. Sharing your addictive tendencies with those that love you will allow the healing to begin.
If you fill your days and nights with proper habits (even if they are little weird, like some of mine), it will help you to stay away from the improper ones. Find activities that makes you feel good and right, without hurting yourself and others. For me, eating a honey bun at night is ok, I don’t have any medical issues in the this area. It’s different for each person. However, if I ever find myself in an all consuming situation it would NOT be ok to continue that path. One example is going to casinos. I LOVE to gamble. Guess what, I only go once a year with only a set amount of money. I know if I allowed myself to visit the casinos all the time, it would be tragic for me and my family. I have control of that tendency.
You take control of yours, before it is too late.
God, give me the strength to take control of my life, in every area.
Romans 7: 24-25
We all know what is right and what is wrong. Do not trick yourself into believing it is ok to keep doing what you are doing. Don’t let evil win by fooling you in to thinking you can not take control and change your habits. You can! Becoming aware that you want to change is the first step.
Stay in the word of God, stay in church, stay in community. We all need people to “check” us. We have to be completely honest with ourselves, God and our friends/family about wanting to change. Once sin is brought to light, it can no longer hide. Sharing your addictive tendencies with those that love you will allow the healing to begin.
If you fill your days and nights with proper habits (even if they are little weird, like some of mine), it will help you to stay away from the improper ones. Find activities that makes you feel good and right, without hurting yourself and others. For me, eating a honey bun at night is ok, I don’t have any medical issues in the this area. It’s different for each person. However, if I ever find myself in an all consuming situation it would NOT be ok to continue that path. One example is going to casinos. I LOVE to gamble. Guess what, I only go once a year with only a set amount of money. I know if I allowed myself to visit the casinos all the time, it would be tragic for me and my family. I have control of that tendency.
You take control of yours, before it is too late.
God, give me the strength to take control of my life, in every area.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)