2 minute read.
Daily Reading: 1 Kings 4-5 GW; 1 Corinthians 6 GW
Everything is permissible but not helpful.
God gives us all the gift of free will. Every day, in every way, we have choices. Zig Ziglar, a motivational speaker whose life’s work is still impacting people’s lives, described options this way:
“For 24 years of my adult life, by choice, I weighed well over 200 pounds. I say ‘by choice’ because I have never ‘accidentally’ eaten anything, so when I choose to eat too much, I have chosen to weigh too much.”
Too much of anything isn’t beneficial; even too much of a good thing can cause harm. Over-exercising can cause physical problems. Drinking too much alcohol can cause a myriad of issues for you and others. Overeating, as Zig points out, causes weight gain. Even spending too much time volunteering causes burnout and helps no one.
Gaining self-control means realizing you have to set limits. If the jeans are getting too tight, cut back on the food. If your body is aching from too much exertion, take a break. Remember, just because you’re allowed to do something doesn’t mean you should.
Learn to say no.
Saying no to overindulgence requires self-awareness. If you don’t recognize something is gaining control of your life, you don’t know to limit it.
Alcohol is dangerous because of its highly addictive qualities. People often don’t realize the spiked beverages are controlling them until it’s too late. Sugar addiction from food fuels the brain, which interprets it as a reward, causing you to want more of it. The adrenaline rush from exercise causes people to do extreme sports to gain a physical high. Too much of a good thing isn’t suitable for anyone.
Do an honest evaluation of your life. Identify areas where a good thing is no longer suitable for you. Exercise self-control as you become more self-aware.
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Lord, thank You for our lives which overflow with Your blessings. Forgive us for not setting limits on things that cause us harm. Help us today do an honest evaluation of our lives. Identify for us the areas that we are overindulging. Give us extra measures of self-control to take the steps necessary to become healthy. We know all things are permissible, but not all things are helpful. Help us choose wisely. IJNIP. Amen
Question for reflection
What area of your life are you overindulging?
