Dealing with temptation

Matthew 4:10, "Jesus said to him, 'Away from me Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.' "

Can you imagine going forty days and forty nights with no food? How about staying in the wilderness with nothing but the clothes on your back? Then someone comes along who tells you to turn the rocks into bread and that you can have all of the wealth in the world. Now, imagine having so much trust and love for the Lord your God that, even though you are weak and hungry, you combat those temptations with truth from scripture. In everything, Jesus is an example for the way that we should live.

I wake up every morning determined that I am going to be that great, patient, loving mom who never yells at her kids or is late to an appointment. I will handle everything that comes my way during the day with grace and kindness. Usually, I make it for the first hour of the day. (My kids are still in bed during the first hour of my day.) As soon as the busyness of my day begins to sink in, my great intentions go out the window. I find myself snapping at the kids because they just spilled the milk, again. We rush out the door to get to work and school and I feel helpless again that I have spent the first few hours of my day being frustrated instead of loving.

I know that with God, all things are possible, even a peaceful morning with my three children. I want to rely on God's word in my times of temptation to loose my temper with my children. So, that is going to be my goal going forward. I will take an extra breath and recite a scripture instead of giving into the temptation to get angry. I think I will focus this week on Proverbs 15:1, "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." I am going to focus on giving gentle answers and staying away from the temptation of anger.

Christ Lives In Me

"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself up for me." Gal 2:20

When I think about the person that I was before I fell in love with Jesus, I am struck with amazing gratitude. If I had been left to my own devices, I know that I would not be where I am today. I can’t even begin to imagine the direction my life would have gone had I not discovered the love that Christ has for me. As a Christian, I am no longer a slave to the sin that used to rule my life. When Christ saved us, he replaced that old person with a new person that is free to live a life without sin.

Now, this doesn’t mean that I never sin. I sin every day, but that sin does not rule my life. This life that I live in my sinful body is guided by my faith in Jesus. He loved me so much, that he died for me. He endured suffering and even crucifixion because He loves me that much. My response to the knowledge of God’s sacrifice for me is to give my life to Him. I follow Him and I live my life knowing that my every action is a reflection of Christ living in me. I need to remind myself every morning before I walk out the door that when people see me, they are seeing the one that I serve.

Dear Lord, please keep your Son in the front of my mind throughout my day. Help me to remember that when people see me, they see you. Thank you so very much for sending Jesus to die for me. I love you Lord. In your Son’s amazing name, Amen.