I will spend the next few days forcing myself to write or type 2014 on checks, journals, and other paperwork. It will not come naturally to do that. It will take thinking and self control to make myself do it. Why? Because it is not my habit…yet. By the end of the year I should be able to write 2014 with no problem and do it without thinking. Whew. Tough problem to overcome, isn’t it?

As I amuse myself with these thoughts, I think about how hard it is tochange a bad habit that discourages us and plagues us with those feelings of “less than” when we fail to overcome. Maybe we are trying to do it without being plugged into the Power that enables us to change. Maybe our self-control is really about giving SELF to God. Every. Day. We have to force ourselves to do this. It does not come naturally.

“And so, dear Christian friends, I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice–the kind he will accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask?” (Romans 12:1, NLT) (The answer is no!)

And now THE FORCE…Self-control of forcing ourselves to give control to Christ…forcing new habits to replace old thinking and behaviors. One day at a time. Minute by minute. Hour by hour.

“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is.” (Rom 12:2, NLT)

When “everybody else is doing it”, whatever it is, we do things without thinking. No force involved. To go along with the world, takes no energy. And brings no reward. I want what God wants for me. Don’t you?

Dear Heavenly Father,
It’s worth THE FORCE! Forcing myself to give up will build my faith, restore my joy and help me to love YOU more and love others more like You loves us! Help me to love unconditionally. Yes! I’m Yours, Lord.
In Jesus Name, by His Power, we pray to change and grow, Amen!