Monday, a new day, a new week which led to lots of thinking last night.
Isn’t that what most people do ~ think about Monday as a new day, time for new beginnings.
So I got on the scale ~ UGH did not like what I saw, my weight is crawling the opposite direction of what I want. My eating is once again out of control…thoughts of “get with the program” “get off my fat a** and get moving again” “make good choices” you know…the litany continues on and on.
And now it is Tuesday, first day of our work week. The dang house alarm went off at 6:00, then lots of yelling…am sure the new boy in our house doesn’t know not to come out of the bedroom before 6:30 am. Knowing my alarm was set for 7:00 am I rolled over and went back to sleep. Got up when my alarm went off even though I had been hearing lots of noise from the boys for the past half hour. Made my way to the kitchen to make some coffee and then got dressed for the day. Coffee was ready and so headed to my little corner to meet with God.
I began praying, telling God once again I had failed at spending time with Him daily. You don’t want to know how long it has been since I sat in the quietness of my corner and just talked and read God’s Word. And how unhappy I am with myself regarding my weight, my eating habits and feeling like such a loser.
And then I opened Our Daily Bread for my devotion of the day.
And once again I sat humbled as God met me right where I am this morning.
Ready for a Change?
Read: Galatians 5:16–25
Self-control is probably one of the hardest things to master. How often have we been defeated by a bad habit, a lousy attitude, or a wrong mindset? We make promises to improve. We ask someone to hold us accountable. But deep inside, we know that we don’t have the will or the ability to change. We can talk, we can plan, we can read self-help books, but we still find it difficult to overcome and control many of the things that are inside us!
Thankfully, God knows our weakness, and He also knows the remedy! The Bible says, “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Gal. 5:22–23). The only way to gain self-control is by allowing the Holy Spirit to control us.
In other words, our key focus is not effortbut surrender—to live moment by moment submissively trusting in the Lord rather than in self. Paul says this is what it means to “walk by the Spirit” (v. 16). Are you ready for a change? You can change, for God is in you. As you surrender control to Him, He will help you bear the fruit of His likeness.
I am in need, Lord, of Your power so that I might change and grow. I surrender myself to You. Please help me to understand how to be submissive to You that I might be filled with Your Spirit.
God is not nearly as concerned with our ability as He is with our surrender.
INSIGHT:
Today’s passage exhorts us to “walk by the Spirit” (v. 16). Just as a surgeon operates by means of a scalpel, we are to walk by means of the Holy Spirit. We are to be consciously dependent upon Him in attitude and choices. Yet there are two spheres of influence that pull us in different directions. The term “flesh” is used to describe the old sinful way of life that seeks to live independently from God and exhibits behavior displeasing to Him. The “Spirit” refers to those behaviors that flow from the indwelling Christ and produce fruit exemplifying His character. When we walk by means of the Spirit, we can say no to the flesh and yes to the Spirit.
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I too am creeping back up after losing 50 lbs. And I don't know what I'm doing different or wrong. I'm trying to love myself the way I am as my love loves me this way but it's so hard for us as women to just be \”ok\” where we are. Living in him is my constant struggle as I am estranged from my family and there's a lot of anger there it really gets in the way of the relationship I should be having with God. I might not always comment on your posts but they are always so real and often exactly what I'm feeling as well.
I am a week behind. What a timely post for me! I was just talking with Lina (the therapist) about controlling my emotions that are wreaking havoc on my life. So thankful for friends like you who can confirm what Abba is speaking 🙂