Nike notwithstanding, I think it is more often than not that people give up and say “I just don’t have any willpower.” I can’t resist the ice cream calling my name in the freezer. I’m sorry I am late, I am late for everything. I really want to quit smoking, gossiping, overeating, and all of the other really bad habits I have, but I don’t have any willpower.
You aren’t unique in your lack of willpower. None of us really have willpower on our own personal habits, or vices, we need to change.
Self -control is required. Self-control is a fruit of the Holy Spirit.
Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
With the new year approaching, rather than trying to exercise your own personal willpower in the never-ending cycle of New Year’s resolutions, try a new approach. Pray for the fruits of the Spirit. Pray that the Holy Spirit will lead you down the path of change you need and desire. That He will provide the self-control you need.
I will be the first in line to start praying.
I ate more junk during the holidays this year than ever.
I am getting older (not old) and have many aches and pains. I need to live healthier and I have 48 years of proving that my own willpower won’t cut it!
There is so much God has given us to do in this world. I pray I won’t waste another day, another year. I pray for a Spirit-filled New Year – for you and for me!
Happy New Year!
I LOVE your description of the tippy-toe dance!! I reebemmr that one, too. I had a similar experience with one of my loved ones who’d been sober for 11 years (6 of those years in AA) and decided he could drink again just one now and then. And that made perfect sense to me because he’d not had anything to drink for 11 years. Just like your husband, it wasn’t long before he was back into his alcoholism full-swing. And, that’s the part of this disease I did not understand at the time that addiction (whether it’s to drugs or alcohol) is a chronic, often relapsing brain disease because logic would say he/she can control it this time but the person doesn’t understand that any amount of the substance will jump-start all their embedded (though in remission, so-to-speak) brain maps around the addiction. If they drink (or use their drug), it may work for a short while, but it won’t be long before it’s off to the races, as they say. Had I known then what I know now, I would have been able to save myself years of grief trying to put the genie back into the bottle. Thanks so much for sharing your experience, Carolyn!!!