58. Comforting Temptation?

Sweet Grace For Your Journey

Episode 058--Comforting Temptation?

We love comfort and temptation. The two seem entirely contradictory. When we are tempted, it is not a comfortable feeling. And yet, what happens when we feel temptation is comforting? Temptation is NOT supposed to be comforting.

To be comfortable means to be in a state of physical ease and relaxation. It is freedom from pain or constraint. It is a place where we feel that everything is right with our world. If something is tempting it is enticing us to do something that we really want to do but we know it’s not beneficial for us. So that is an intrusion in our comfortable little world and yet, I didn’t see it as an intrusion. I saw any scrumptious foods or desserts as designed for me to consume so I could remain in my comfort bubble.

I didn’t realize I was living in a constant state of giving in to temptation. I didn’t even realize I was being tempted because I gave in so easily. If I were to define my comfort zone back then, it would be working hard and eating everything and anything I wanted.

James 1:14-15 NLT says it plainly, “Temptation comes from our own desires which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.”

I allowed my desires to entice me and drag me away to be in a continual state of temptation. My desires required me to give into Satan’s temptations, which is sin. To say I allowed this particular sin of overindulging in food to be a lifestyle is an understatement. I couldn’t tell when I was tempted because giving in to my every whim and desire where food was concerned was how I lived every single day.

Then my mentor introduced me to the concept of habit change, I knew this was the key I’d been looking for. There was no doubt in my mind. What I had to do was change what I ate. That meant I couldn’t go cold turkey with sugar without learning what I could eat that would fuel my body.

I went step by step listening to God the entire way to learn how to change my habits by stopping bad habits and starting better habits in their place.

I learned that what I wanted or desired in the moment I couldn’t trust. But I would do what I had written down in my journal, committed to God and told my mentor and the group I was in that this is what I would do.

2 Corinthians 1:3-5 TPT: ”All praises belong to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. For He is the Father of tender mercy and the God of endless comfort. He always comes alongside us to comfort us in every suffering so that we can come alongside those who are in any painful trial. We can bring them this same comfort that God has poured out upon us. And just as we experience the abundance of Christ’s own sufferings, even more of God’s comfort will cascade upon us through our union with Christ.”

Overcomers Link: https://TeresaShieldsParker.com/overcomers-christian-weight-loss-academy/