... the next Fifteen Minutes

Sometimes it's hard to look at the big picture.  Try not to look too far ahead when the road seems so long.  Focus on what you can do right now.  Small steps can lead to big changes!

But I want it now!!!

Self control has always been a struggle for me.  (hence, why we don't have any ice cream in the freezer.  I ate it.)  It's so easy to put off something until tomorrow.  Or the next day.  Or the day after that.

I'm going to stop eating sugar. 
I'm going to stop drinking.  
I'm going to stop spending too much money. 

Whatever it is for you.  We all have something.  For me, it's food.  I'm a total "yo-yo'er".

Eat good. 
Eat bad.  
Eat this. 
Not that.  
Low carb.  
High carb. 
No carb.  

I'm sure you've all heard the saying "it's not the first time you fall that causes the damage.  It's the second, and the third, and every time after that."  So why is it so hard to jump back up on that wagon? It feels so good when you've been riding on it for awhile so what causes us to fall out? Because we are looking for immediate gratification.  That temporary satisfaction.  Those endorphin's that tell us that whatever we are doing (eating, drinking, shopping, whatever) is going to fix whatever it is in our soul that needs comfort.  And it will fix it... for the next five minutes.  But if you're anything like me it's in that sixth minute that despair enters in and the thoughts enter in that say

I'm not good enough.
I've failed again.
I'll restart tomorrow.  
Or Monday.
Or maybe never.
I'm hopeless.

I challenge you to find whatever it is that has its unhealthy hold on you.  When you find it, grab a hold of it and punch it in the face.  Don't give up your ultimate goal for immediate comfort. IT'S. NOT. WORTH. IT!  What is it that is holding you back from being everything that God created you to be?  Think about the areas in your life that are affected by whatever it is you know you should give up.  I bet it's affecting more than you think.  I know for me, my constant yo-yo'ing (gaining weight, losing weight, eating good, eating bad) really affects my self worth, which in turn affects the relationships I have with my husband, my kids, my friends, and most importantly with God. The good news is that it's NEVER too late.  Philippians 1:6 says "being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it out to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

God says

You are good enough.
You are not a failure.
You can restart now.
You have hope in me.

God NEVER stops working.  He NEVER stops carrying us when we need carrying.  He ALWAYS gives us a fresh start, but it's up to us to take it.