The more I study and ask the Lord to reveal things, wouldn’t you know, He answers! This is what I’ve learned on my own recovery journey.
The Flesh Absolutely Positively Will NEVER Be Able To Control The Flesh
A house divided cannot stand. The flesh will always side with itself, and will always be directly opposed to the Spirit. Any attempt to control the flesh by the flesh will FAIL, and it will leave you more disappointed in yourself than when you started.
I know. I tried yet again this past week to make some dietary rules for myself, and I crashed and burned. The funniest thing is that I was actually surprised by my failure, which is absurd, since I have done that same thing over and over again throughout and it has ALWAYS ended the same way eventually.
The reason is that the only way the flesh can try to control the flesh is with RULES. We make new rules for ourselves to try to alter our behavior or even our thinking. But our flesh is ENERGIZED by rules – it has never met a law which it did not want to rise up against in rebellion.
Go ahead, tell yourself you are NOT going to have a drink, or NOT eat that cake, or NOT buy that outfit. What will be the result? It is ALL you will think about and desire.
So if we can’t figure out a way to make our flesh behave, what hope do we have of ever becoming self-controlled? By putting to death the flesh by the Spirit. You are nodding your head, “Yes, yes, that is right.” However, you have no clue what that means or how to put that into action.
I just finished an e-book I am hoping to release by May 1st (and offer it as a giveaway for people who join as members), and I will give all of my current members access to it. It details the ABC’s of how to corral your coping mechanisms by the power of the Spirit using “The Holy But”.
Notice, I didn’t say this would tell you how to COMPLETELY ELIMINATE your coping mechanisms – those won’t go away until the Holy Spirit helps you get to the root of your problem and resolve it. But it will help you limit the damage you are doing to yourself by reducing the frequency of using your coping mechanisms. Until then, just stop beating yourself because you can’t “make yourself” behave right!
Being Calm and Level and Emotionally Middle Of The Road All The Time Can Be A Bad Sign
The more I learn about the self-defense mechanisms we have developed to deal with the stresses and unknowns of life, the more I am recognizing in myself that my relatively continual stream of calmness is not a good sign. I am OVER restrictive on my emotions. I have been AVOIDING emotions, having to feel my own or anyone else’s.
It makes for a great counselor, but not so great of a human being or spiritual being. God gave us senses and emotions so we could be the “body” of Christ, the “family” of God, loving each other and caring for each other. Doing that without emotions is like living in a plastic bubble – you really can’t get that close to other people. It affects every relationship I have, including my relationship with God.
I wondered why I never want to watch certain types of movies, ESPECIALLY Christian movies, that might make me cry. I realized that I have trouble with strong emotions, my own or other people’s, because I expect them to be painful. I actually cringe at the thought of them, flinch like I am expecting pain – overwhelming pain, actually.
God wants me to deal with this during my current Step Study. It’s time to start dipping my toe into the water and allowing myself to experience emotions. Dr. Mauldin says emotions won’t kill you, but stress will. I just remember experiencing such strong, painful emotions that I felt like I was going to die, like my “innerds” were being ripped out. Now, I’m more afraid of the pain of feeling emotions than the emotions themselves. However, God has put his finger on it and it is time to deal with it. Pray for me!
I’d love for you to share in the forum what you have learned this week.
We are on this journey together, even if we are learning different lessons and facing different challenges. Let us encourage one another to continue to seek the Lord, to listen to the Holy Spirit, and use His Power within us to obey Him to the extent our flesh does not get in the way.
Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. 1 Thes 5:11
In Christ,
Your sister Penny