Have you ever loved something that made you feel so good, something that excited you that when you’re around it, you lose all sense of control? Have you ever wanted something so badly that you literally zoned out and chased after it until you got it? Has you’re mind been so captivated by something that you literally can’t think straight until you get it? We’ll, I have and it’s a horrible feeling for something to have that type of control over you. These last few weeks, I’ve made some conscious decisions and declared in my heart NO MORE!
I’ve experienced these feelings with several things in my life: an old boyfriend I just had to see or couldn’t live without, something that I wanted to do that I’ve made up in my mind I was absolutely going to do it hell or high water, or how about that good ole slamming food I’ve been thinking about all day that I’d break down doors to get.
The thing about me, I’m pretty strong willed, so once I make up my mind about something, I’m dead set on getting it. I’ve come to learn quickly in my early walk with Christ that when Christ says No to anything, it’s pretty much a done deal and I’ve often found myself miserable fighting against His will, stressed out, strained and out of step of His will.
One of my struggles right now is the inability to resist my flesh when it wants something particularly food. I’m not trying to sound crazy or like I have no sense of self control because with a lot of things I do, but food, I have admit, I love good ole food. To be honest, I’m a foodie and I really enjoy a good G-O-O-D plate of food and dessert.
Sometimes, I notice that I’m not even hungry and my hands will throw something in my mouth that I shouldn’t eat. Sometimes, I can get greedy and just eat out of boredom. Sometimes, I’m stressed out and have no reserve to monitor my eating. Sometimes, I’m tired and just need to put something in my stomach that’s quick so I can move on to the next task. Sometimes, I just really enjoy eating really good food. Sometimes, I like to bond with my family and eat something great. Sometimes, I’m simply cleaning off my daughters plate and eating her leftovers.
Sometimes, there’s no thought behind me eating in these ways, it just happens automatically where I find my hand to my mouth. Over time eating in this manner, feeling guilty and frustrated with myself, I grew weary. I had to start paying attention to why I ate and I came to this conclusion: My flesh wants what it wants, I’ll give into my flesh and it has its way. That’s how strongholds are built over time whether it’s food, romance, sex, anything you give into to, you become it’s slave.
For me, that’s the hardest thing in the world, when you co-sign your own bad behavior when you know it’s counter-productive. Sometimes you can do something for so long it’s habitual, automatic and you become robotic doing it without giving it any thought and after while, you feel like you can’t stop. So after getting weary of this cycle, I decided to pay attention to when, why and how I ate.
Recently, I was at the pool with my little one and was bringing her some nuggets, automatically I started reaching for one of her nuggets. I thought to myself, ‘wait, I don’t really want this nugget. I won’t let this nugget control me.” Once I said that, my hand withdrew. Another time, I was fixing her lunch and cutting up her hot dogs and the next thing I knew my hand was reaching for that too. Again, I stopped and thought, “I don’t really want this hot-dog. I will not let this hot-dog control me” and my hand withdrew. Another time, I saw cookies on the table and this I did want, so I saw my hand reaching for it and I stopped. I said to myself, “food will not control me, this cookie does not control me. I’m disconnected from this cookie and it has no control over me.” I withdrew my hand again.
This is how I’ve been conquering my flesh one moment at a time. For each temptation, I had one moment where I was able to choose and it was this truth that helped me:
Romans 8:12-14 (NLT)
… (I) have no obligation to do what (my) sinful nature urges (me) to do…by the power of the Spirit (I) will put to death the deeds of (my) sinful nature AND I will live.
Romans 6:6-8 (NLT)
(I know) that (my) sinful (inclination, desires) were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in (my) life. (I am) no longer (a) slave to sin. 7 For when (I) died with Christ, (I) was set free from the power of sin. 8 And since (I) died with Christ, (I) know (I) also live with him.
Romans 6:11(NLT)
(I am) dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus.
Unlocking Heaven’s Power by John Paul Jackson goes on to say,
Anytime we choose Jesus, anytime we stop what we’re doing and turn our thoughts toward Him, anytime we glance in His direction – it will always result in more Kingdom in our lives.
I recently just decided to exercise the rights the Lord’s given me in scripture. Sometimes, you have to hit rock bottom in order to make changes and recently, I’ve come to the end of myself with my own choices that I’ve resolved within myself to change. Sometimes you have to speak out-loud to that thing that’s tempting you,
“You will not control me. I have power over you In the Name of Jesus and I disconnect myself from you right now. I have Power to Say NO to you. No in the Name of Jesus!”
This has been my process of speaking and believing that nothing has power over me In The Name Of Jesus. Having this revelation and speaking it is what’s keeping me from falling as I have in the past. I haven’t arrived, but I’m better since I’ve received and have been walking in this revelation. I’ve noticed that when I do eat something I shouldn’t, it doesn’t have the same taste. Sometimes, deliverance is just as simple as saying NO, BUT, we have to resolve to fight to say NO, be conscious of our moments of choice, work the scripture and keep saying No. Once we make up our mind to say No, the Kingdom of God will back us up and empower us to walk in it.
WE HAVE POWER TO SAY NO TO ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING STANDING IN THE WAY OF OUR DREAMS AND GOD’S PURPOSE. We Can Do It In Jesus Name!
Continue to join me as I share with you what God’s sharing with me about overcoming.As always, Be Encouraged, Stay Connected, Fight and Let’s Become Free Together.
Strongholds Pt 1- John Paul Jackson
In His Name,
Ke’Shawn Adamson
B.O.O.M!
