So You Think You're a Chocaholic (church, believe, praying, verse) - Christianity - - City-Data Forum

kawgpz550 · 09-19-2007, 10:14 PM

Ok, I have to admit...when I first read this heading, the first person I thought of was ILNC!

Just kidding, ILNC...but I know you love your chocolate!

This is a very good message. I think every one of us has something that we tend to do in excess. What is your "chocolate"? What have you done or how can you possibly overcome your excessive habit?

Devotional - 98-11-09 - So You Think You're a Chocaholic

So You Think You're a Chocaholic

Genesis 1:31 And God saw all that He had made, and lo, it was very good.

In one of the largest chocolate cravings of all time, Martin Keys' "sweet tooth" got him in some real hot water. He is currently on trial in Europe for plotting to steal 1.5 million Mars bars. When numbers get that high, it is often hard to realize just how many 1.5 million might be. Consider, if you will, that this is equivalent to eight truckloads of Mars bars.

Moderation is a good thing. In fact, the things that God placed on this earth, as the above verse says, are good, and they are here for our use and benefit. However, all these good things, when used to excess or improperly, cease to be good and can do us harm. Chocolate is, unless you have an allergy to it, a good and enjoyable sweet for most people. But, 1.5 million Mars bars is good for no one. 15 bars is even excessive. But a Mars bar, from time to time, can be appreciated and savored. This is true with anything.

For example, consider sex. Sex is a good thing (Genesis 1:27,28; 2:24,25). It is God's idea, it did not catch Him off guard when He found out these humans He created were "fooling around". But sex is only good for us when it is done as God has shown us and revealed to us in His Word. When sex is practiced in ways that God has not intended, such as outside of marriage (Proverbs 7:6-23), <I deleted this portion, to try and not offend or hurt anyone> and a host of other ways, sex is not a good thing.

This is also true with exercise. Exercise is good for us. But exercise is only good for us when done in moderation. We all know what it is like to "overdo" it. Jogging two miles three days a week is a good thing for someone who exercises regularly, but that same person would be foolish to decide to run a marathon. So while exercise is good for us, over-exercising is not. This is true in every area of our lives. Reading, talking on the phone, brushing our teeth, watching TV, eating, working, use of the internet, sleeping, drinking, and everything else we do are all good, when used in moderation or appropriately. But all these can be harmful to us when used or enjoyed to excess. All these good things can be abused.

So what area of your life is in need of a moderating influence? What qualifies as your 1.5 million Mars bars? Where are your struggles with excess? You may be the only one who knows, and you may believe that, but really your Heavenly Father also knows, and He cares for you as a father tenderly cares for his child. Cast your cares upon Him, and trust Him for the strength to use all these good things that God has given you wisely and temperately. In doing so, you will find these precious good things that God has given to you will become again a joy to you.

"There is a form of self-control that says 'yes' to what we should do, as well as that which says 'no' to what we shouldn't do." --Jerry Bridges

kawgpz550 · 09-19-2007, 10:44 PM

To be fair, I will start off

I think probably the biggest thing I do in excess is probably go on the computer. Food USED to be my excess, but I am working hard on that one.

I have started to back away a bit. Although the primary part of my Christian fellowship takes place right here, I know being on the computer isn't good for my family OR my house

. I have had to learn some moderation here. So, I go clean, post on cd, I go and help a kid with homework, come back and post on cd...just kidding!

Seriously, I have backed off quite a bit from where I was at a couple of months ago...I won't rid myself of this "excess" because it is very important to my spiritual walk. I have grown a lot since coming on here, and I'm not about to give it up

.

little_thirsty · 09-20-2007, 06:45 AM

Oh good one Kawg....I have a serious addiction to diet coke. I am awful about how much I drink and I know it isn't good for me, yet I drink it by the truck loads. It has been on my mind lately and boom here it is again this morning! Thanks for posting Kawg!

kawgpz550 · 09-20-2007, 10:25 AM

Isn't it strange how we sometimes come across that message that seems to be meant for us? A couple of weeks ago, I went to a different church by myself, and I could have sworn the pastor's message was me!

I'll be praying for you and your Diet Coke addiction.

little_thirsty · 09-20-2007, 01:12 PM

Thanks Kawg!!!!!! It is neat how things just seem to knock you over the head when you need them too!

kawgpz550 · 09-20-2007, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by little_thirsty

Thanks Kawg!!!!!! It is neat how things just seem to knock you over the head when you need them too!

You're so right! It's truly awesome when we're suddenly faced with a wake up call that coincides with something that we're experiencing in our lives.

Ok, where's one of those Mars Bars?

Hoosier · 09-22-2007, 06:26 PM

We are in the middle of a weight loss challenge at work and that has become my mantra..."moderation". I've had a few people come up to me and tell me how guilty they feel for having this amazing dinner, or ice cream or whatever. I've told them..."listen, did you enjoy it?" And they perk up and say "Oh yeah! It was sooo good". My response is "great! Now don't beat yourself up over it. If you cut out all the things in your diet you enjoy then you'll never succeed! It's all about moderation."

So with that what do I need to moderate myself on? The computer. I spend so much time on it between work and home. And I've noticed that when I'm stressed I head to the freezer for ice cream.