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Post by Deleted on Nov 25, 2018 10:14:29 GMT -6
This isn't just for me; this is for any of us who are struggling with some kind of addiction or something that needs to be removed from our lives. Or perhaps there's something that you should be doing but aren't. If there's something like this in your life, please post updates here. I will be doing that myself every day, Lord-willing.
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Post by anfauglith on Nov 25, 2018 10:46:00 GMT -6
I`ll join in. There`s something I've been struggling with to remove from my life. So far I always failed. Seeing I`m not alone I think it is a good time to start over again. Thanks for the opportunity to get encouragement here and to encourage each other.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 26, 2018 14:56:18 GMT -6
Didn't fall to temptation last night. Praise God!
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Post by _ on Nov 27, 2018 5:43:42 GMT -6
Nice. Before seeing this thread this morning, I was just about to ask how it has been going, CW.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 27, 2018 6:55:25 GMT -6
Another night free
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Post by Thomas Eversole on Nov 27, 2018 9:59:51 GMT -6
I'll concede that I definitely have an addictive personality, but no addictions I currently have rule my life. Alcohol was a major one in the past, no doubt that would drag me to hell on earth to drink again, and I still haven't touched a drop of that stuff since March 20th 2007. I had a recent test to my vaping habit, that tooth being pulled... they told me no straws, no tobacco/vaping for 3 days. I went 4 days, just to be on the safe side in case I heal slower than I used to. (which I'm sure I do) That felt more like I was just missing a daily treat (like coffee in the morning) more than it was chomping at the bit, "I need some nicotine now". I'm confident because of that, I could "leave it" if I had to.... My, for lack of better words, "video game addiction" tends to take a back seat to things like work (job and stuff around the house) so.... its not stealing from time I don't have. I haven't called off work for a while, released an album of music in October and published a book in November, I stay on top of my prayer list - I feel like I'm doing plenty. Still, even if I don't have something major to reference in this thread, I still think there's room for personal/character improvement on my end....
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Post by anfauglith on Nov 27, 2018 10:50:46 GMT -6
I as well managed to don't fall into that certain habit again.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 28, 2018 6:59:09 GMT -6
Success once again
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Post by anfauglith on Nov 29, 2018 11:01:21 GMT -6
Hang on there! I managed not to fall into my bad habit, as well. Somehow very strange, because it somehow feels easier this time to quit. Maybe it is because I know that there are people here who struggle with ungodly habbits/addictions of some kind as well. I feel like this struggle now is blessed.
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Post by Thomas Eversole on Nov 29, 2018 11:46:44 GMT -6
I just prayed for you @crimsonwarrior. (actually, prayed for all you gents here and others.) My prayer list is quite big right now and it feels like it takes a good 15 minutes to get everybody I pray for mentioned. XD
Having others to be accountable to is hard, since there are times in normal living where we're alone and they're not physically there to make a barrier. Still, I think its as important to have accountability to others as it is to have personal accountability. This thread is a very good idea.
...but even then, we're only human. We can still fall, and we are not permanently guaranteed relief from vices. This is where I'd say its important to "keep going" when we fail, and while consecutive success is a great goal to have, accumulated success is also something that shouldn't be overlooked.
In 2006 when I was still mired in my alcoholism, I was quite depressed and felt hopeless on ever being able to quit drinking.... but I had someone point out to me, that while I had recently drank at the time I talked with them, at that time, I had only drank a handful of times in a matter of months. Long story short:
drinking 5 times in 5 months > drinking every day
I'm still quite grateful to God that I was eventually able to stop completely.... but even then, I have to maintain or I'll just be one crazy thought away from being drunk every day again.
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Post by _ on Nov 29, 2018 12:51:02 GMT -6
failure once again
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Post by Thomas Eversole on Nov 29, 2018 13:10:10 GMT -6
D:
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Post by Deleted on Nov 29, 2018 16:16:49 GMT -6
Thank you Thomas!
Success again last night. I'm feeling very free from this, but I must not become complacent. I think in the past my strategy was nothing more complicated than "don't do it", but my mind would lead myself into temptation because I would let it go places it shouldn't. I feel that I have greater self-control now and I'm able to deflect bad thoughts more. Sometimes I'll physically shake my head a little to tell myself "no" when my mind starts going a bad direction, and I've found that helps.
Also, while I appreciate the support of everyone here, I think I would prefer it if these posts of mine were left unliked. I don't want human approval to be my motivation for holy living. I want desiring to please God and to live according to my calling to be my motivation.
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Post by nocturnaliridescence on Nov 29, 2018 16:37:13 GMT -6
Also, while I appreciate the support of everyone here, I think I would prefer it if these posts of mine were left unliked. No problem, I won't like any more of your posts. I liked today's because of this tip you gave ... Sometimes I'll physically shake my head a little to tell myself "no" when my mind starts going a bad direction, and I've found that helps. ... rather than for the reason you gave. I just really like that and want to keep it in mind. I may as well join the thread. You all know I don't like to talk about my life, but there is indeed a problem I am dealing with. 0
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Post by Bartimaeus on Nov 29, 2018 22:46:55 GMT -6
Brothers!
This fleshly desire has been more prevalent in my life recently than I want to admit. I have found great encouragement from your posts and your sucesses! Know that, even if we fall, our salvation is not based on our effort or our work, but solely on the finished work of Jesus Christ!
I wanted to post a few things that have helped me personally:
"No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it." 1 Cor 10:13
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." 1 Cor 1:3-4
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Post by Deleted on Nov 30, 2018 7:46:33 GMT -6
I liked today's because of this tip you gave ... I also have another strategy. Most of my temptation happens as I'm trying to fall asleep, so I bought a small ESV to hold onto. Sometimes I'll just hug it against my chest, lol. I do not ascribe any power to the physical book itself. But holding onto it is a constant reminder to avoid and resist temptation. Success last night.
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Post by jazzhead on Nov 30, 2018 9:57:52 GMT -6
Thankfully I have been freed from my past addictions, both fleshly and chemical/mind-altering. Temptations of lust still linger, but now I see them for just what they are: temptation, and I don't let them become more than that in my mind. A small shake of the head is a good idea ~ I use that as well. I try to see other women through God's eyes. They are indeed beautiful creations, but they are His children, as am I. I am also eternally thankful for His gift of my wife, who more than satisfies any fleshly desire I may have! All this to say though I lurk a lot on this forum and don't post too much, I have been where many of you are and I keep all of you in my prayers. One day at a time brothers!
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Post by nocturnaliridescence on Nov 30, 2018 10:58:43 GMT -6
1
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Post by Thomas Eversole on Nov 30, 2018 12:24:30 GMT -6
Also, while I appreciate the support of everyone here, I think I would prefer it if these posts of mine were left unliked. I don't want human approval to be my motivation for holy living. I want desiring to please God and to live according to my calling to be my motivation. There's a pretty big difference between willfully making human-approval a factor in your success with this, and telling others not to show their support. I'll still respect your wishes on not liking your daily success, but if a post-like was knocking me off my motive-square, I'd be more focused on securing my own footing, instead of telling others to stop showing support. Just my 2 cents bro. Sometimes I'll physically shake my head a little to tell myself "no" when my mind starts going a bad direction, and I've found that helps. A small shake of the head is a good idea ~ I use that as well. The tricks I've used to help with this kind of temptation, 1) working out / lifting weights. A chunk of this "desire" is our brain screaming for the natural chemical "rush" it gets from rubbing one out. We can get a similar rush through exercise, plus.... its good for us. Also, I found that 2) a good old fashioned cold shower, curb-stomps the urge. I can remember doing a 2 minute cold-rinse a few times a day, as needed, to get my head back in the game.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 30, 2018 20:14:12 GMT -6
There's a pretty big difference between willfully making human-approval a factor in your success with this, and telling others not to show their support. I'll still respect your wishes on not liking your daily success, but if a post-like was knocking me off my motive-square, I'd be more focused on securing my own footing, instead of telling others to stop showing support. Just my 2 cents bro. I know. But part of this also is that I don't want to be "like-whoring" (wish I had a less vulgar but equally accurate term) in this thread. I don't think I truly risk my motivation swaying towards that, but...eh. It just feels off to be posting here every day, knowing that I'll get multiple likes...if that makes sense.
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Post by Thomas Eversole on Dec 1, 2018 9:30:37 GMT -6
I know. But part of this also is that I don't want to be "like-whoring" (wish I had a less vulgar but equally accurate term) in this thread. I don't think I truly risk my motivation swaying towards that, but...eh. It just feels off to be posting here every day, knowing that I'll get multiple likes...if that makes sense. I think I see what you're saying bro. Like-whoring to me would be "like this post if blah blah blah" - which you haven't done, which I HAVE done elsewhere on this forum, and don't consider it to be a bad thing. XD I don't see a difference in terms of "resulting feedback" between someone liking a post, and someone making another post that says "that's good to hear man". To me, they mean the same thing, the only difference is mechanically with how this forum works. One of the beefs I've had with my job in the past (mostly as working as a manager) is that when I did something wrong, I'd definitely hear about it, but when I did something right or exceptionally well, I'd hear nothing. (aka accountability communicated only "one direction") Maybe its just my own self-esteem, but its hard for me to interpret utter silence as meaning "you did good". If you can pull this off regarding this topic, my hat is off to you my brother.
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Post by nocturnaliridescence on Dec 1, 2018 10:59:06 GMT -6
2 Also One of the beefs I've had with my job in the past (mostly as working as a manager) is that when I did something wrong, I'd definitely hear about it, but when I did something right or exceptionally well, I'd hear nothing. (aka accountability communicated only "one direction") Maybe its just my own self-esteem, but its hard for me to interpret utter silence as meaning "you did good". That sucks, and would tire me out quickly.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 1, 2018 11:53:29 GMT -6
Success last night
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Post by Thomas Eversole on Dec 1, 2018 14:09:03 GMT -6
Praise God that we can have a daily reprieve.
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Post by nocturnaliridescence on Dec 2, 2018 15:41:00 GMT -6
3
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Post by Deleted on Dec 2, 2018 19:07:20 GMT -6
Success last night
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Post by nocturnaliridescence on Dec 3, 2018 10:33:49 GMT -6
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Post by Deleted on Dec 3, 2018 15:38:31 GMT -6
Success last night
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Post by Deleted on Dec 4, 2018 12:40:30 GMT -6
Success last night
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Post by anfauglith on Dec 4, 2018 12:52:49 GMT -6
I failed...
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