Struggles and Little Victories

Isn't it interesting how a little success can make us full of ourselves?  

I've been doing fine with avoiding sodas, chocolate, and other candy.  But what about the sweets that are NOT in those categories?  I bought a box of Little Debbie Oatmeal Creme Pies one day last week with the intention of having 1 a day as a treat.  I ended up eating at least 2 a day instead.  It was like I became this ravenous beast without any control.  The really sad part is that I didn't WANT to control it.  I felt the Holy Spirit prompting me to pray during those times of craving, but I refused.  I wanted to give in.  

Let me just say that it is not a sin to eat any type of food.  Jesus declared everything clean and our righteousness does not come from what we eat.  Our righteousness is completely from the work of Jesus Christ.  But for me to ignore a prompting from the Holy Spirit, that is sinful.

When I understood this (after the frenzy) I realized that I was trying to do this on my own power.  A friend of mine is also going through the 40 days with me and she shared with me that she is making it her prayer that she would desire God more than she desires the taste of sweet things.  When she shared that with me, I was even more aware that I had lost sight of the main reason for doing this--to grow closer to the Lord.

Improved health is a definite benefit, but the whole point of this exercise is to rely more on the Lord, especially when I'm feeling weak.  

So after making it right with the Lord, I experienced some more victories.  They might not seem big to other people, but they are huge to me:  Not eating dessert at a church dinner.  Not eating any processed sweet during an entire day.

Thank you, Lord, for your faithfulness, even during my weakness.

Consequences

So the second 40 days ended July 17.  I took a week off and I allowed myself chocolate and sodas.  I didn't have very many sodas, but I sure indulged in the chocolate.  For 7 days I ate anything I wanted--a Milky Way, chocolate chip cookies, ice cream with chocolate topping, brownies, chocolate milk tea.  Delicious!!!

I shouldn't have been surprised when I woke up a week later with sinus drainage and a scratchy throat.  The glands under my throat were swollen and there was sinus pressure in my head.  I knew exactly why I was feeling the way I did.  Whenever I go overboard on sugar this is what happens to me.  Sugar is an immune system-depressor and by indulging so much I pushed my immune system down to a level that I became susceptible to the cold that was going around some of the people at church.  

I'm almost over it now, but it's taken almost 2 weeks to get past all of the symptoms.  For 1 week of indulgence I've had 2 weeks of symptoms.  Was it really worth it?