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TEMPTATION
Each one of us faces temptation. It is a fact of life here on earth. We can face and defeat this temptation by growing our self-discipline muscles through regular Bible study and prayer. We need to ask God for strength when we are dealing with temptation and God promises that He will help us during these times. I Corinthians 10:13 tells us, “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”
What a wonderful promise is in this verse!
We need God’s help to resist our urges, even the very innocent ones. How often do we think, “Oh, I can handle this. I don’t need to bother God with this little thing.” Sister, I would urge you to run to God when you think this! When we begin to think that we can handle things on our own, trouble is just around the corner.
The temptation that I often battle is living in and with excess. I overeat, I overspend, I oversleep. Excess. How often do I put these things before God and the things He has asked me to do? How much time do I spend chasing this excess instead of chasing God? What would my life look like if I turned to Him instead of food or social media or shopping?
God gives us examples of men and women who flee or overcome temptation. Joseph in Genesis chapter 39 is a great example. I urge you to refresh your memory of this Bible story. Joseph shows integrity and chooses to do what is right despite what may come in the face of much temptation. He lives out a life with integrity and honors the God he serves and the master God has chosen for him.
To develop our self-discipline we should be in constant prayer. There are so many things in our culture that tempt us. Bathe every minute in prayer
and ask for God’s help. Attempting to live a life of constant prayer is difficult, but I believe this spiritual discipline is achievable, otherwise God wouldn’t have told us to do it.
So what are some ways you can bathe your day in prayer?
- Before your feet hit the floor in the morning, thank God for the breath in your lungs and ask Him to guide you.
- As you are making a meal, be thankful for the food that you do have, ask God to stretch that food to cover your needs and ask Him to provide the nutrients that you need for the work you will do.
- If you find yourself worrying about something, give that worry to God. Let Him take care of it.
- As someone provides a service for you, pray for them. This could be the barista at your favorite coffee shop, the cashier at the grocery store, the teller at the bank or the clerk at the library.
- If you see an emergency vehicle, pray for those involved. Safety for the first responders, protection and care for those involved. Pray that God may be seen through this circumstance.
- Pray for your loved ones when you are apart and when they return home, thank God for their safe return.
- As you drive past an institution, pray for those inside. Hospitals, prisons, government buildings, and schools can all use a covering of prayer.
- Pray for your pastor and their family.
- Pray that churches will remain true to your word when you drive past them.
- When you go to sleep at night, unload your burdens to the Lord, ask Him for peaceful rest.
God gives us power when we turn to Him. This is a battle we can win as we walk by His Spirit. Start developing those spiritual muscles today!
Adventures in Abundance 
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