Do you notice when you’re lonely, bored, feeling not needed old relationships or items tend to recycle back into your life? Maybe for a moment, you think it’s a good idea to go in reverse. Praise God for the Holy Spirit and our accountability partners. They remind us of the havoc they brought on our life and why they are no longer a part of it. Our true enemy the devil will repackage those things and put a pretty bow on them in a time when we are weak. We will try to convince ourselves the person or thing was not that bad. Justifying our feelings, desires, needs, and wants will lead us right back into sin.
Consequences
Remember you can pick the sin but not the consequence. You don’t get to disobey the Lord and then tell Him what He can or can’t allow in your life. You also don’t get to pick the duration of the consequence. Be aware when your emotions and feelings are running high. You may be tempted to quench them with someone or something God has called you out of.
Motives of the heart
Often we say God brought that person/thing back into my life. Be careful blaming God for something you want so badly to be true. The Bible is what reveals the motives of the heart. If that person is seeking the Lord their actions will be biblical and they will want yours to be as well. If that thing is biblical it will bring honor to the Lord and you. Don’t settle because it’s familiar or God’s plan is taking longer than you want. Wait for God’s greater because the alternative will be worse than the first time you let it into your life.
The different looks of recycled items
Recycled items may not always be obvious or even sinful. It becomes sinful when God told you not to go back to it and you choose to. For example, God could have called you out of a particular job. Out of a book club, an exercise group, a Bible study, a coffee date, you name it. He revealed something to you that was not bringing Him glory and was not for your good. In your moment of loneliness, boredom, feeling not needed. You become determined to dust that old thing off and repurpose it and give it new life. God told you NO! Remember sin always takes you further than you want to go.
God is doing a new thing and wants you to be a part of it. You keep allowing old thinking, circumstances, and patterns to stifle your progress. God is unlimited in His opportunities and He needs kingdom-minded people to carry them out. Put on your big girl pants, skirt, capris, or whatever, and choose to let God propel you forward.
In conclusion
Take this opportunity to make a request to the Lord for healthy friends, hobbies, and ministries that you can devote your time to. Ask Him to give you a better understanding of your feelings and emotions. Remember post CASM 6 triggers, think about what triggered you to contemplate going backward, and submit that to the Lord. Lean into your accountability partner(s) for support, encouragement, and prayer. Aluminum cans, egg, and milk cartons are good for recycling, not life draining, desire stealing, God derailing past relationships or items.
ACTION ITEM(S)
- What are you contemplating back into your life?
- Does it please God or is it feeding your flesh?
- Remember what that thing or person did the first, second, third time you let it in.
- Why won’t you wait for God’s greater?
What an awesome observation!! This week’s blog will surely make me look, think, and feel twice when old things show up repackaged! I’m glad you stressed the non sexual acts that are also viewed as sin. These blogs w bringing so many things to the forefront of my mind. Thank you ?
Lisa, I am grateful the blog is giving you different perspectives to think about. I know for me I allowed different things to become sinful and didn’t realize it until I was in it. Thanks so much for taking the time to read and glean from the blog!!!
Thank you Carol! What a true and great reminder! I am going to have to think and pray about this one for areas right now He can show me in this!
I know there was a time a few years ago when I was invited to a family event where I knew there would be alcohol. I have a past before I was saved of alcoholism and it’s been 10 years since I have had an alcohol beverage. I prayed about it snd didn’t want to hurt family members but k ew that I couldn’t go around Bc it would be revisiting that part of my life and I might have that temptation. So I opted out. Yes people were mad at me for not going. But I knew my Heavenly Father was not! And that’s all that mattered at the end of the day!!
Ashley, 10 years of no alcohol is to be celebrated!!! I am so excited for you and I celebrate with you. Praise God you took heed to the Holy Spirit and did what honored the Lord and what was best for you. That is to be commended. I look forward to celebrating the next 10 years with you!!!