Friday, December 12, 2008

Anchor Friday - Live in the Light

Joan's post this week was so awesome. I really loved the story of the woman who was celebrating reaching her goal weight after losing 198 pounds! Wow. Amazing. And her encouragement to everyone was to stop making excuses.
Wow. How many times have I made excuses for my sinful behavior? Can you relate with any of these?


~When I was little, my parents taught me to eat everything on my plate. So, I can't help it. If I'm full, I just go ahead finish what's on my plate anyway, because that's the way I was raised.

~I'm on my period. I always crave chocolate when I'm on my period.

~I'm on vacation with my family. Of course I'm going to eat lots of chips and candy and Coke in the car, that's just part of the fun!

~I'm angry at my husband, so I'm going to eat this gallon of ice cream. Hey, what do you expect? What would you do if your husband treated you like that?

~My life is just so crazy and hectic. I don't have the time or energy to think about what I'm eating and keep track of my calories. And I certainly don't have time to exercise.

And those are just a few of the excuses I have thrown out there, expecting God to "buy" into it. I love that Joan looked up the word "excuses" in Ephesians 5:6 in the Amplified, Message and NIV versions of the Bible, and found these phrases: empty words, groundless arguments, and religious smooth talk.

Wow. Yep. That's exactly what it is when we try to justify our sinful attitudes and behaviors. When God hears me making excuses, He's thinking, "Those are empty words, Claudia." or "Nothing but groundless arguments, Claudia." or "I'm not lovin that religious smooth talk, Claudia."

That's convicting.




The first time God convicted me of excuse-making, it was when I read, I Really Want to Change, So Help Me God, by James MacDonald. Awesome, awesome book. I am telling you. You've got to read it. I really want to do an entire post on it, and hit the highlights of the things I learned, but right now it's bedtime.

I would love to hear your thoughts on excuse-making. What are some excuses you have tried to use with God? In what areas of your life do you need to stop making excuses?

~Claudia

4 comments:

Joan said...

Love your post. I've made some of thos excuses myself. Thanks for sharing.
You encourage me.
Blessings

Anonymous said...

I've made those excuses too. That book looks good -- thanks for featuring it. D

TreasuringChrist said...

Joan, I am glad I can be an encouragement to you! You encourage me, too!

D-you're so welcome. I HIGHlY recommend it. It's the best book I know of to deal with how to overcome sin in our lives, and how to grow and change. And it's written in very plain, easy language. James MacDonald is good that way : )

TreasuringChrist said...

Excuse number one. I am not worth it. Which is pride.

Love the post. I am facing all of the excuses head on. While I personally did that study three times. (don't ask). I did take something each time and maybe I should do it again...hmm..

-Natasha