Day 18: Removing Temptation

Last year, as I blogged through this 21 day fast, I did a little complaining.

About jelly beans.

I probably complained even more about it in my head.

I had bought a bag of jelly beans right before the fast and then they sat in the cupboard - taunting me.

I wised up this year and did NOT buy a bag of jelly beans right before the fast. I removed the temptation. And I haven't thought about them much.

Isn't that what God asks of us?

If at all possible, we should remove temptations from our lives instead of trying to avoid them while they are still staring us in the face!

And it took a bag of jelly beans - and lack of this year - to make it so clear for me!

Of course, there are temptations that we must face everyday and ask God for the strength to move past them.

I had to make meals for the boys that included meat during these 21 days, so I couldn't completely remove meat from my life, even though it has been tempting me all the way through. I just had to ask God to help me not grab those last few pieces of taco meat...

I am so thankful for this new perspective - and I am looking forward a little to eating some jelly beans soon, just not as tempted :)

What has God brought into focus in a new way for you during this fast?

~Erin