I love the straight-forwardness of the book of James and my Yearly Bible Plan has me reading through James this week.
I have been struggling with a lack of self control lately in some areas that God wants me to change in regards to how I run our home. Change is always hard and I find it's even harder when dealing with old habits that are hard to break. I realized after reading the following verses that my lack of self control was actually disguising itself as "temptation" since it was causing me to follow my own desires and be dragged away from God's desire for me. My lack of obedience to making the changes was actually sin.
Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death. James 1:14-15
Isn't it amazing how many ways we can be tempted to do something we know we shouldn't and how that temptation can drag us away from what God wants us to be doing and then grow into actual sinful actions? As a Mommy my #1 priority is to be the Manager of my Home by supporting my husband in every way possible, caring for my children, and running my home efficiently. But, oftentimes, I am tempted to do other things that are more inviting and easier like being on the computer, sleeping in, and eating unhealthy foods (to name a few), that "drag" me away from my God-given duties as a Mommy.
Some things that God has placed on my heart lately to change in relation to managing our family are: having family devotions morning and evening, having a weekly Shabbat meal, eating healthier as a family, and being more accountable with how we spend our time each day. But, alas, each of these three areas require self control in order to accomplish the new habit of devotions, Shabbat meal, better eating, and time management. I love what Peter says in I Peter 1:13-14
So think clearly and exercise self-control. Look forward to the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then.
Isn't it true that when we don't exercise self control to do what God wants (or attempting to live a Holy life) we are simply satisfying our own desires? God makes it so simple! In everything we do we have to make a choice: 1. Do what God wants or 2. Satisfy our own selfish desires.
As Mom's we need God's help to manage our homes. If He is calling you to a higher standard or to a different way of doing things like starting to have devotions twice a day or eating healthier foods, then you need to go to Him to seek how He wants you to do it. That may mean it looks different from your friend's way of doing things because God has a plan for your family. God promises to give us wisdom if we ask:
If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. James 1:5
So, we need to pray for wisdom on how to manage OUR homes and we need to obey when He shows us how. Let's start obeying today and managing our homes God's way!
