Our lives are like a great treasure hunt. The rules say: Stay on this straight highway and someday you will find joy.
On the highway, we don’t see joy, but we see opportunities for fun and pleasure to the right and left. We take a turn off the highway and dig into pleasures that we are not supposed to have. Then, we try to get back on the highway. But… the way back is difficult. Our car is pounded and broken by rocky terrain. Finally, we are back on the straight and narrow, limping along in our broken car.
Our second driver believes. Temptation is to the right and the left, but not only does he not turn… He is “busy” telling others why they should not turn as well. He tells others how great their life could also be if they follow this great book. He reads this book often and believes it more every day.
He keeps searching straight ahead until his eyes are fixed on Jesus. He keeps straining to find the glory of God. He struggles with that, but “that” is what he struggles with… Not some habit that is breaking him.
Second, be ready with your phone. To “Be ready” consider having a sentence or two saved from a favorite article ready. When temptation hits, click over to your saved info. If you start to habitually do that, you will memorize some key sentences and prayers. It is so hard to form a new habit like praying:
“Father, keep me from temptation, and help me to be content.”
But if you are tempted constantly, and you click to this prayer constantly… at some point, you will have the habit of praying it.
What prayers, or sentences do you need to keep on the front burner in your phone?
Second, reading articles is great, but putting them into action is better, starting to form a habit with key ideas is even better, and forming a habit like being content is a real home run.
Third, be ready in the location and at the time you are tempted most. Have your phone ready and be ready to fight. If you are 100% ready you will 100% win.
Fourth, here is a video that is well done.
.
