I sat there on the couch, ____ pounds heavier. Vowing never to return to this form of abuse again, here I was. I wasn’t hungry, yet I was craving a bowl of ice cream. Not just a small one, but a heaping bowl to drown myself in. It never stops at a bowl of ice cream for me. I can’t seem to find a healthy balance with sugar. It’s such a love hate relationship for me.
There’s also something about reaching a goal and then regressing. The fight goes away in me. What is it that I’m seeking?
Praise?
Self-fulfillment?
Excitement of the thrill?
My husband has been patiently watching this behavior from me for ten years. He knows my strengths and he knows my weaknesses. He’s also watched all I’ve learned from The Grace And Strength Lifestyle.
The thing is, I’ve found freedom. I’ve tasted it. I experienced it. And now, here I am, regressing.
Why? Why? Why, Lord?
I blame lack of routine and just being busy with the kids. But what is it that I still need to learn?
Long-term self discipline! That’s it!
I’m all about the short term self discipline, but long term? That’s where the rubber meets the road.
“You have to stick in your heels, Babe. You are an example, and these ladies are watching you,” my sweet husband tells me.
I know he’s right. I know what’s right. It’s just a matter of submitting and being obedient.
Not my will, Lord, but yours be done in my life!
So, if you are like me, and you struggle with long-term self discipline, here are ten things that might help you:
1) AVOID TEMPTATION:
Know your weaknesses, and avoid them. Don’t flirt with them.
2) HONESTY & ACCOUNTABILITY:
Be glaringly honest with yourself and another person.
3) THROW AWAY EXCUSES:
Don’t make excuses for yourself. Throw excuses away once and for all.
4) BE PREPARED: Write out an action plan for your day. Each day.
5) WRITE A LETTER TO YOURSELF:
Write a letter to yourself. In it, share with your future self what you have learned and what you feel you still need to learn. What would you go back and tell yourself today when you want to indulge in gluttonous behavior?
6) WHAT DO YOU REALLY WANT?
What do you really want? Do you want to be healthy and content or indulge in unhealthy foods/life behaviors? You can’t have both.
7) WHAT DO YOU STILL NEED TO LEARN?
What are some areas in your life that God is still trying to get your attention?
8) SURRENDER IT ALL:
What is it that you still need to surrender to Him? Each day, start off your day in surrender to God and end your day in surrender to Him.
9) FIND ENJOYMENT IN OTHER THINGS:
Find something that you enjoy each day that doesn’t come from food.
10) DON’T LIMIT GOD’S POWER IN YOUR LIFE!
I heard this song at church yesterday and it really hit me! Listen to it and remember that His love and power in our life is limitless when we give ourselves fully to Him!
Pray this prayer that the Lord Jesus prayed, each morning. In Luke 22:42. NOT MY WILL LORD, BUT YOURS BE DONE IN MY LIFE.
Luke 22:42
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Oh Traci thank you so much for the transparency in which you share your life. I believe it’s when we are honest with ourselves and give it over to God that He can do His work in us. This work does not come without a price. The price is discipline, the discipline of dying to self daily. “Not my will Lord but Yours be done in my life.” Thank you, that through your blog you help others stay on track!
Great reminders all. I may have to take this list and put them on my fridge! I love this song too. Gorgeous, emotional and just spirit filled!
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Thank you for your post!! I have an extremely difficult time at about the 2 week mark to do/not do goal items and these quick tips will be a wonderful reverence to reflect on 🙂
I loved this one; it was inspiring and I liked your tips. I have the same struggle and I am old. I wonder if I can really change that much. I love those bowls of ice-cream.
Blessings!
I’ve seen your name a lot…because I just joined Grace and Strength about a week ago under my friend Bekah :). But before I even joined I was googling to find stories about the whole GNS lifestyle and to see if there was more out there than what was on the website for me to learn more and i found your blog through GOOGLE! Crazy huh!? ANyway, Thanks for being so honest in this post. I fear this will ALWAYS be a battle for me too. I have struggled all my life with discipline and I just wish God would FIX IT! ;). It’s definitely a HUGE struggle here! But I love the support I have in GNS…awesome accountability, advice, prayer…everything! Your testimony is encouraging! 😀