As I sat down to the computer to prepare my post for this
month, I had no idea what to write, so I acted wisely—I prayed!! The following thoughts came to mind.
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and
timidity, but of power, love and self-discipline”
(I Tim. 1:7, (New Living translation).
Earlier this month, Gloria shared with us her thoughts on
this verse, reminding us to stick post-it notes around our homes to keep us
focused on the task before us. I’d like
to continue reflecting on this verse.
I returned home Tuesday,
March 13, from a trip to Florida where I visited my husband’s brother and his
wife, and gathered with three high school friends, one of whom lives in Florida. The week was a blessed time of
fellowship.
As with any vacation, food was a definite part of it. As I reflect on this verse from Second
Timothy, I think of the fear and timidity I often feel around others when
sharing food. I am timid about turning
down food offered to me/prepared for me by others. I fear offending them, yet I know how
overeating or eating certain foods sets up a craving within me that is often
difficult to curtail. Although I did
say, “no” while in Florida, I said “no” with fear and self-consciousness.
And the thought comes to me if I know I am going into such a
situation, I need to prepare myself by praying—praying for a spirit of love and
of self-discipline, praying that the Holy Spirit give me the words to say, in
love, to turn down food I know is harmful to me and that He fill me with the
self-discipline I need to turn down such foods.
