“You Only Need to Resist for a Little Bit”

Photo Credit: Slagheap, Creative Commons, cc

  “You only need to resist for a little bit,” a friend said recently. “Delay, hold off. Resist the temptation for that instant gratification, and often that’s all it takes. The temptation dissipates.”

He’s wise, and there was something battle-scarred and proven in that open declaration.

It rang true to me, and I found myself nodding. It’s true, isn’t it? Whether it’s a thought pattern I’m wrestling with, or the lie that This _____ will fill that need, or anything else we battle with, we recognize where it starts. Training ourselves in battle-worthy rigors to resist, to stop and stare straight into the face of the Bold Claim, arms us. Asking myself, Will this truly be harmless? Will this really fill that longing? Will this food/this act/this conversation/this Thing truly solve my needs?

Because we all have those whispers that come to us unbidden. Whether it’s a lie we believe about ourselves, an attitude we convince ourselves is justified, a food craving, or a dangerous compromise that seems inconsequential at first… we all have those whispers that shiver up the spine.

It came to my mind this week. His statement that grabbed me then. “You only need to resist for a while. Delay, hold it off. Resist the temptation and often that’s all it takes to disappear,” he said with a wry shake of his head, the skirmishes still fresh in his mind.

And while you wait, while you breathe and hold on tight, wrap your mind with truth, please? I’m guessing you know the truths our Ally and Protector is whispering to you already, but if you need reminders, feel free to browse some here with me.

– “Is God Forced Into It?”
– “Chased”
– “Why You Are Never Too Old”
– “He Surprised Me”
– “Tacos, Rescues, and Lovers”
– “How to Melt an Angry Heart”
– “Five Seconds Away from Joy, Better Health, and Peace of Mind” 
– “You Had Me at Avocados” 

This is some of the truth I’m wrapping my mind in this week. What are you? I’d love to hear and learn from you too, friend. (Those in email can click here to join the conversation.)