Devotions I Corinthians 6:13

All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.  Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body. I Corinthians 6:13

This is a study that I've been wanting to start for a long time now:  how things get a stronghold on you that you just can't kick by your own power.  I'm not speaking as one with authority, but as one who is searching to grow closer to God in all areas of my life.  Now, a stronghold on you could be any physical, emotional or spiritual thing that takes your focus off of growing closer to God.  It's easy to talk about the big things as being strongholds:  drugs, alcohol, smoking.  But what about the socially acceptable sins (especially in Baptist circles) like over eating?  I would say that's a stronghold.  Now, lately I've been trying to lose weight (probably like the majority of all Americans).  Everyone knows the magic bullet for success:  eating less and exercising.  Why is it so hard to do it then?  It seems pretty simple.  I'm not a junk food eater, but I am a social eater.  We always revolve everything we do around food.  I suppose that the corinthians had the same problem.  Meats for the belly and belly for the meats, but God shall destroy both it and them.  The answer for Paul was that he wouldn't be brought under the power of any.  Next time you hear that second plate of food calling your name, just stop to think:  is this what I want my life to be?  Am I that weak that I can't control this?  Maybe I am that weak, but God isn't.  God can control your appetite (lead me from temptation....).  I know it's pretty simplistic, but our flesh wants to be the one in control - if I follow this diet or use this product or do this exercise, THAT will make me lose weight.  The key here is to let God be in control.  First, it takes a close walk with God.  You have to be near Him to be led by Him.  Are you doing your devotions?  Are you praying regularly?  I say that to myself as well.  I went through a dry spell last week where my heart just wasn't in it.  Sometimes you have to rededicate your heart to be in close communion with Him.  I praise God that He is patient with me because all it took to get back in the swing of things is to apologize to God and ask for His strength to grow in my walk.  Second, you have to be willing to let God do the leading.  More tomorrow....