Day 12

Lead Me Not Into Temptation

Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation.  For the Spirit is willing, but the body is weak –Matthew 26:41

You have survived the week, and are heading into your first weekend.  The weekend often presents more challenges than weekdays.  Your routine gets thrown off.  You family is around more, or less, depending on the age of your kids.  Your structure isn’t in place. You have a spouse inhaling chips on the couch and watching football.  Friday night “pizza night” a tradition for years, is just hours away.  Just thinking about all temptations make you want to run and hide. 

Guess you will just have to buckle down, grit your teeth and fight to get through it huh?  Or…you could turn to your Creator for some support.  Stop and pray and ask the Lord for wisdom, guidance, and an extra “helping” of self control.  You will have renewed strength and energy if you spend some time with Him in preparation for the weekend.

After spending time in prayer,  keep your guard up.  Take notice of your feelings throughout the weekend.  If you feel like you are going to scream when everyone else is scarfing on ice cream, remove yourself form the situation.  Go for a walk, go in another room and simply say “Help me Jesus!”, and He will.  I’m not saying that you won’t still want the ice cream, but you won’t feel like you are going to die if you don’t have some!

This first weekend is an important one.  It sets the tone for the rest of your weekends.  If you get through this weekend without deviating from your plan, you will have renewed confidence.  You will feel energized and strengthened in your ability to say no to your flesh.  If you do deviate from your plan, don’t give up and quit.  All hope is not lost.  You will simply have to take the “weekend test” again next week.  The sooner you pass, the more confident you will feel! 

Dear Heavenly Father, I confess I feel a little anxious heading into the weekend.  I ask for wisdom, discernment, and self control when making choices this weekend.  I ask that you help me keep watch and to be strong when faced with the temptations this weekend brings.  I thank you for giving me the desire to eat healthy, portion controlled foods.  I thank you for whatever treats I am allowed to have, and that I enjoy them without guilt or condemnation.  In Jesus’ name, Amen