Have you ever found yourself trying to figure out “how in the world did I get here”? You know that situation is not the best choice yet you find yourself unable to let it go. You find yourself in a place that you vowed never to return again. Doing that one thing that you promised never to do again. With that person you swore you would leave alone. Feeling a way that you never thought you would ever feel again.
Okay, so maybe you don’t have those type of issues… You know you should pray more but every time you get on your knees to pray you find yourself thinking about everything else you should be doing. You think about the dishes that are in the sink. The clothes that are in the dryer and need to be folded. You think about what you plan to cook for dinner. Your mind travels to the guy that cut you off on the freeway. You find yourself unable to focus on what you were praying about because something else has your attention.
There is a scripture that says “for the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice Romans 7:19. Basically that says I find myself doing the things I don’t want to do instead of the things I do want to do. I find myself talking to that person that is no good for me. I find myself gossiping instead of speaking kind. I find myself worrying instead of praying.
And I don’t understand WHY? According to the next scripture, it’s because of the sin that dwells on the inside of us (vs 20). We all have a desire to do what’s right. A desire to be better. A desire to live a life that is pleasing to God. We were created like that. But we are also creatures of habit living in a sinful world. We do the things that have become comfortable to us. We do the things that
feel good to us. We do the things that are easy.
I don’t know about you but I’d rather have a bowl of ice cream instead of a bowl of lettuce any day. I would rather lay on the coach and watch television than go out and run two miles on the treadmill. We do what feels good. We cater to the sin that dwells on the inside of us. We nourish the flesh instead of the spirit.
Let me share something with you. God knew that we were sinful and that we would have desires that would only satisfy our flesh. He knew that we needed help. That’s why he sent His son Jesus to die on the cross for our sins. You are not required to fight your desires alone. All you have to do is call out to God for help. He is so faithful! He will help you overcome all those desires but you have to ask Him.
When you find yourself doing the things you don’t want to do and you are really ready to let them go, ask God for help! He promised to never leave you or forsake you. He promised to always be there sticking closer than a brother. He knows your struggles. He know we struggle with our flesh, that’s why he sent the Holy Spirit to be our comforter and guide.
So when you find yourself earnestly desiring to do the right thing but struggling to do so, don’t get discouraged! Don’t give up! Ask God for help. He will help you every time.
Until next time,
Tina