Fine Print: Die Daily — Wednesday
Galatians 5:22-23a
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (NIV)
I feel like I have been on a “diet” for the past 30 years. I have friends who can eat whatever they want and still be skinny. I have the opposite problem. If I come within 100 feet of a donut, I can gain five pounds. Through the years, I have learned that I can’t eat whatever I want. I’ve also learned that there’s a big difference between what I should eat and what I want to eat.
In my 20s and early 30s, however, I made no such distinction. If I wanted it, I ate it. If a McDonald’s double cheeseburger sounded good, I grabbed one. If I had a craving for a Snickers bar, I ate one. You can guess what happened. My weight (carried upward by my insatiable appetite) climbed skyward. I would have moments where I’d had enough and would carefully watch what I ate. But those would be followed by seasons when I ate everything.
I wish there truly were some “magic pill” or “miracle drink” that would increase my metabolism or take away my cravings. But until those things exist, I have to continually remind myself that God has already given me the tools I need. He’s given me the Holy Spirit and has promised that He will produce this fruit in me.
And of all the fruit listed, self-control is the one I am always fighting with. The act of self-control (by definition) begins with denying self, which is why my diet is usually intrinsically tied to my spiritual health. If I am in a season where my quiet time is rushed (or non-existent), my eating habits are undoubtedly being neglected as well. It’s a tell-tale sign that I am giving into my selfish desires versus denying myself and doing what Jesus is asking me to do.
Now, don’t misunderstand me. I’m not saying that hamburgers are sinful or that eating McDonald’s will lead you away from Jesus. What I am saying is that in my life, my eating habits serve as a barometer giving insight into my current spiritual state. For me, a big part of denying self begins with what decisions I’m making regarding food.
Wednesday’s Reflection
What selfish desire does Satan tempt you to give into most? Make the choice to deny those cravings and allow the Holy Spirit to give you the self-control you need.