I tried for years to control myself from acting on my eating disorder and addictions. Not surprisingly, it never worked. I would cave in eventually and then feel miserably condemned. My own power was not enough to keep myself from my old patterns.
When I finally said, “God, I can’t do this on my own anymore! You need to be the one who helps me!” is when I truly began to overcome my cycles.
When a craving or desire came—instead of trying to stop with my own strength—I would call out to God and begin worshipping or reading the Word. Nine times out of ten I would be able to push through…my desire would completely pass! The other rare time when I would succumb to sin I would immediately repent because of the conviction I felt, and it usually would not happen again for a long time. The time between slip-ups became wider until eventually, they stopped completely!
An important distinction here is feeling CONVICTION and not CONDEMNATION. Condemnation is from the enemy, and conviction is from the Lord! Even if you slip up you are still held and loved by God. Keep praying for a heart that desires true recovery and freedom, and speak against thoughts that would try to make your sin and addictions sound enticing.
“We all experience times of testing, which is normal for every human being. But God will be faithful to you. He will screen and filter the severity, nature, and timing of every test or trial you face so that you can bear it. And each test is an opportunity to trust him more, for along with every trial God has provided for you a way of escape that will bring you out of it victoriously.”
1 Corinthians 10:13 TPT
“If we boast that we have no sin, we’re only fooling ourselves and are strangers to the truth. But if we freely admit our sins when his light uncovers them, he will be faithful to forgive us every time. God is just to forgive us our sins because of Christ, and he will continue to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
1 John 1:8-9 TPT
*** It is also important to note that I did not go through this process completely alone. I had someone to hold me accountable, went through counselling, and had inner healing and deliverance sessions. These are all topics I will cover another time soon 😊