Jesus stopped by

He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the Lord was my support. (Psalm 18:17-18)

My husband was going out of town for a couple days. My problem with that is when I am left alone, and I get overly anxious about something, I tend to "pig out". The day before he left, I started fantasizing about a half gallon of some yummy ice cream I could dive into when he was gone. And maybe some cheese puff things. Maybe some chocolate covered ... anything. The more I thought about this out of control bad habit of mine, the more overly anxious I got - you see the catch 22 predicament I often find myself in. Throughout the afternoon and evening I grew more and more upset with myself about this sinful habit and lack of self-control. The temptation grew and grew in my mind to the point that I had convinced myself I would indeed cave in the next day after he left. It was sure to happen. It was.

But for some reason, when I went to bed that night, among other racing thoughts, came this "chant": "I'm not going to do it. I'm not going to do it." ("Thank You, Jesus.")

In the morning, I woke up feeling like I could beat this demon back. I made plans with what to do with my day while my husband was going to be gone (thank goodness, I have a job to go to in the afternoon). I was feeling good. I was feeling confident. I started with my plans. Things were going well.

Then around 10:00am, he left. And I was all alone. Gulp. The temptation came upon me full force. As I folded up a load of laundry, I was sure I was going to run to the store around the corner. I started making excuses. "I am weak. I'll never stick to a diet. I'll restart on a different day, that's all. Let's enjoy this wonderful (yet sinful) treat."

I tried to stick to the plan I made for the day. Truly I did. But suddenly things weren't going so smoothly. Everything was more effort and work than I planned. And overpowering it all was this niggling thought: "Ice cream. Lots of it."

I remembered going on an internet site that mostly offers recipes and craft projects. But sometimes you can find a funny or interesting "poster" to read as well. So I went there, and typed in "can't do it anymore". I did! And I found so much support and affirming messages. Messages of hope and empowerment. Once again, I felt stronger. Got distracted and started sending some of those messages to those I know who could use a lift. Time passed. The temptation passed. ("Thank You, Jesus.")

HE is in our midst. Do you see Him? Notice Him? Know that He and His power is within you, around you, for you, all about you. It's the help I needed that day. I needed strength and He showed up. I needed strength again; it came again. I bet I can count on Him another time or two. What do you think?