Earlier this evening (after 7) I fixed spinach salad for supper. Spinach leaves, chicken, and hard-boiled egg. I had two small bowls of it even though today was one of my half-portion days. Around 8:45 or 9:00 I started getting hungry and wanting more. I almost got some, rationalizing that it was salad, and very simple salad at that, not my usual salad with about 10 ingredients. It was GOOD for me, doncha know? Then I remembered my guideline of waiting 1-1/2 hours after feeling hunger before eating. This helps me keep my flesh under control and be sure the hunger I'm feeling is really my body calling for fuel. So I wrote 10:30 on a piece of paper next to where I'm working. That's when I'll have some more salad. It's 10:10 now - 20 minutes to go. I'm not ravenously counting down the minutes, but I do look at the clock occasionally.
I hope this encourages you that (1) I still battle with my flesh. I haven't arrived at perfection. (2) Flesh CAN be brought into submission. Galatians 5:16 (NLT) - 16 So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.
10:25 - My eyes see the clock and tell my stomach, "Only 5 more minutes!" My bratty stomach says, "If I can make her feel exhausted (really, a feeling of complete exhaustion came over me), maybe she'll cut it short by a few minutes!" HA! But I'm too smart for them now! I said 10:30 and 10:30 it shall be!
10:34 - Been working but getting up now to get a small bowl of salad.
10:50 - I fixed a bowl of salad. I measured another one in the set and the bowl holds 16 ounces. I ate about 2/3 of it,then realized that was plenty. I'm done. I'm in charge. Me and the Holy Spirit in me. Not my flesh. Aaaaahhhhh!!!!! This feels good! : )
I love this! Thank you for the practical example!
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