Joni and Friends Daily Devotional
Behavior Modification
"'Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!'? These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence." Colossians 2:21-23
Yesterday we learned about gaining through losing. But how do we become skilled in this kind of "subtraction?" How do we match our hearts with our circumstances? By feeding the mind and the heart on those things that bring contentment rather than arouse desire! I'm talking about rule-keeping such as, "Don't touch this" or "Stay away from that!" Rules only lead to the arousal of cravings. I'm talking about common sense.
For instance, I can't exercise like most people and so I have to watch my calories more closely. It's critical to my health in this wheelchair. Yet I love Gelson's Supermarket's blueberry muffins. This means I studiously avoid the bakery counter at Gelson's. It's hard, but I stay away from it because I don't want to feed my cravings. I don't want to stimulate my desires by the sense of smell or the sight of those delicious muffins. I don't keep hard and fast rules about avoiding that corner of the market; it's more like behavior modification. If I don't want to get myself in trouble, then I stay away from things that cause trouble.
Contentment results when you give up one thing for another. It means sacrificing itchy cravings to gain a settled soul. Gaining contentment does not mean "no more discomfort." First Timothy 6:6 says that godliness with contentment is great gain, but the gain always comes through loss. No, I can't enjoy the luxury of those muffins, but that's okay; the sacrifice is worth my health.
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Your desire may not be for blueberry muffins. It may be for a husband or a different living situation. Today, feed your mind and heart on those things that bring contentment rather than arouse desire. When you do, you are "...sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything" (2 Corinthians 6:10).
I want you, Lord, to be at the center of my desires. I feed my mind and heart on You today. With You, I am content.
Blessings,
Joni and Friends
www.joniandfriends.org
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