It’s happened again. I am starting to feel some extra chunkiness on parts of my body that wasn’t there two weeks ago and I must admit that it is only my fault. I have no one else to blame. Here’s my confession: I have been snacking A LOT since lockdown began and parts of my body are starting to become the evidence of all this snacking. It has become a habit for me to work a bit, get a cup of coffee and then find something sweet to nibble on while enjoying my coffee.
This wouldn’t be a problem if it happened every now and then but it is something that I like to do every day – sometimes multiple times a day – to the point of making me want to get up right now and get a snack while I am typing this up (which I ended up doing by the way!) This realization of over snacking is something that frustrates me because about two years ago I preached on this very topic of self-control and it was an area that I was showing some strength in but now… not so much. And this got me thinking, “Why is self-control so important in the life of a Christian?” A scripture that I have seen a few times since our lockdown began is 2 Timothy 1:7 ESV which says:
“7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”
It’s amazing how I have often focused on the fact that the Holy Spirit is powerful and loving but needed to be reminded this morning that he is also the Spirit of self-control. While doing some reading on the topic I came across these words by David Mathis who is the executive editor at desiringgod.org:
“It sounds so simple and straightforward, perhaps even commonplace. It’s not a flashy concept or an especially attractive idea. It doesn’t turn heads or grab headlines. It can be as seemingly small as saying no to another Oreo, French fry, or milkshake — or another half hour on Netflix or Facebook — or it can feel as significant as living out a resounding yes to sobriety and sexual purity. It is at the height of Christian virtue in a fallen world, and its exercise is quite simply one of the most difficult things you can ever learn to do.
To put is plainly, to be self-controlled is to be like Jesus and this is why it is something that we allow the Holy Spirit to cultivate within us. According to the book of Hebrews Jesus was tempted in every way like we are but never sinned. This means that Jesus is incredibly self-controlled. This is why being self-controlled in every area of our lives is so important – nothing should have such a hold on us to the point of feeling like we have to give into it. So it may seem like something small but the next time I say no to the desire to find a sugary snack to accompany my coffee, the closer I become to looking like my Savior which can only be seen to be a positive.
So here’s to resolving to be more self-controlled in this area of snacking! This is only something I will be able to accomplish though the Holy Spirit’s power and through staying accountable to whoever reads this blog. So if you would like send me a random message to find out how this journey is going, go ahead – I will be as honest as possible! Also, maybe take some time to think through any area of your life that you are feeling led to be more controlled in and I would love to be praying for you so send me a message if this is something I can do for you.
Much love,
Luke
So beautiful your honesty, making yourself vulnerable before others. And isn’t that what we are supposed to do, in a safe environment of fellow Christian’s….
Ian and l can identify with you Luke. We are using this staying home time to empty the freezer, and finishing the mince pies and fruitcake stashed away in the back of the freezer! I said in the first few days that whoever creates the emoticons needs to come up with a new one, a skinny figure and a fat one with the same face!