The Original Instant Gratification Queens......
Good Morning Girls! Yesterday I told you all that I have struggled for years with wanting my reward NOW! NOW, as in whenever I decide I want it. NOW, as in whenever I decide I have earned it (even when I haven't). NOW, as in whenever I decide I deserve it (even when I don't). Looking back on many of the major mistakes in my life, my desire for my instant reward is a major piece of my crazy behavior! Everything from diet pills to gambling can be summed up in my perceived need for a reward. I need to lose ten pounds.....preferably in one day, let's starve and take some pills. I need to relax.....let's light up a cigarette. I need some attention.....let's pick a fight with Tom. All are examples of me trying to meet my own needs immediately, without thinking about the after effects. All I see is the reward...weight loss, relaxation, attention. What I don't see is the effect.......more weight gain, sickness, a broken relationship. Can I get an Amen out there?
Now I could feel like a big loser about this, but one thing I have learned over the years is that there have been Instant Gratification Queens since the beginning of of man. Literally! Look at Eve. I want knowledge.......NOW! I mean, she could have waited and asked God more about it, but Noooooooo, she wanted the inside scoop right then and there, and she went for it. I believe we have Eve to thank for this instant gratification behavior. However, just because we inherited this tendency from her, doesn't mean we have to give in to it. We have the Holy Spirit to help us. To give us the "red flag alert" when we are about to act impulsively. The key is to listen to that alert and respond accordingly. Easier said than done.....otherwise I would not have eaten my weight in jellybeans and rolos Sunday night......after I was already stuffed!
Yes, the Old Testament is filled with Instant Gratification Queens, especially when it came to getting pregnant. Over and over again women were giving their servant girls to their husbands so they could have children (sounds like a pretty good deal for the guys), like somehow it would appease their desire to have children. It never did though. It only made matters worse, time and time again. If any of you are caught up in soap operas, lay them down and read the book of Genesis. There is more sex and betrayal in that one book than any soap opera.....and you just may learn something!
So Girls, if you can identify with the Queens, don't beat yourself up. Don't shrug your shoulder's and say "that's just how I am". I believe we can change! I believe the Word when it says we have been given a spirit of self-control. We just need to get to that point where we desire to be self- controlled more than we desire an instant reward. How do we get to that point? Well, for me I am learning that I need to stop looking at the immediate payoff and start looking at what happens AFTER the payoff. Instead of thinking "that ice cream will taste soooooo good, and help me forget that I want to run away from my life for the rest of the day". I need to go one step further and think "yes, that ice cream would taste good, and provide me with a temporary escape......BUT (the but is the important part) BUT after that I will be mad at myself and feel fat and crabby and even more irritable with the kids". Now don't get me wrong, there are still times when I think it through to the end, and I still say "who gives a rip" and I go for it like nobody's business! When that happens, the after effect is usually the worst.....because I knew better and still went for it. But instead of beating myself up relentlessly I try to tell myself, "you just brought yourself one step closer to never doing that again". It's not easy, but what's the alternative? I can either pick myself back up, or I can stay down......and that roads leads to nowhere at warp speed.
So Girls, take a look at some of the behaviors you have that you would consider negative. Can you identify the reward that is attached? Can you start looking past the reward and see the effect it has on your life in the long run? Once you can start playing the end through in your mind, you are on your way to eliminating that behavior! You will find a greater reward.....it just may take a little more time.
2 Chronicles 15:7 But as for you, be strong and courageous, for your work will be rewarded."
Love, strength, courage, and awesome God rewards to you all,
Jen
Now I could feel like a big loser about this, but one thing I have learned over the years is that there have been Instant Gratification Queens since the beginning of of man. Literally! Look at Eve. I want knowledge.......NOW! I mean, she could have waited and asked God more about it, but Noooooooo, she wanted the inside scoop right then and there, and she went for it. I believe we have Eve to thank for this instant gratification behavior. However, just because we inherited this tendency from her, doesn't mean we have to give in to it. We have the Holy Spirit to help us. To give us the "red flag alert" when we are about to act impulsively. The key is to listen to that alert and respond accordingly. Easier said than done.....otherwise I would not have eaten my weight in jellybeans and rolos Sunday night......after I was already stuffed!
Yes, the Old Testament is filled with Instant Gratification Queens, especially when it came to getting pregnant. Over and over again women were giving their servant girls to their husbands so they could have children (sounds like a pretty good deal for the guys), like somehow it would appease their desire to have children. It never did though. It only made matters worse, time and time again. If any of you are caught up in soap operas, lay them down and read the book of Genesis. There is more sex and betrayal in that one book than any soap opera.....and you just may learn something!
So Girls, if you can identify with the Queens, don't beat yourself up. Don't shrug your shoulder's and say "that's just how I am". I believe we can change! I believe the Word when it says we have been given a spirit of self-control. We just need to get to that point where we desire to be self- controlled more than we desire an instant reward. How do we get to that point? Well, for me I am learning that I need to stop looking at the immediate payoff and start looking at what happens AFTER the payoff. Instead of thinking "that ice cream will taste soooooo good, and help me forget that I want to run away from my life for the rest of the day". I need to go one step further and think "yes, that ice cream would taste good, and provide me with a temporary escape......BUT (the but is the important part) BUT after that I will be mad at myself and feel fat and crabby and even more irritable with the kids". Now don't get me wrong, there are still times when I think it through to the end, and I still say "who gives a rip" and I go for it like nobody's business! When that happens, the after effect is usually the worst.....because I knew better and still went for it. But instead of beating myself up relentlessly I try to tell myself, "you just brought yourself one step closer to never doing that again". It's not easy, but what's the alternative? I can either pick myself back up, or I can stay down......and that roads leads to nowhere at warp speed.
So Girls, take a look at some of the behaviors you have that you would consider negative. Can you identify the reward that is attached? Can you start looking past the reward and see the effect it has on your life in the long run? Once you can start playing the end through in your mind, you are on your way to eliminating that behavior! You will find a greater reward.....it just may take a little more time.
2 Chronicles 15:7 But as for you, be strong and courageous, for your work will be rewarded."
Love, strength, courage, and awesome God rewards to you all,
Jen
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