Gods of Pleasure: Day 2

Welcome 

to the "gods at war" daily devotional exercises.  Hope they are as powerful for you as they are for me.  Be encouraged - God is with you.  All that follows has been adapted from the "gods at war" combat journal.  Please note that this is only inspired by the Combat Journal and not directly copied.  There is much more helpful information in the Combat Journal that will help you go much deeper into these exercises and do inner work which would bear great fruit as you continue on this journey.   I am praying for you each day, as well as journeying through these devotional exercises myself.  Enjoy and press on.  -Michelle +

Today

Fasting from Comfort

Think about some of what you identified yesterday and last week regarding ways in which you find comfort.  Today, fast from those things - both the good things (like exercise, cuddling, prayer) and the bad things (food, shopping, screen time, gossip, a drink --  even non-alcoholic, like a diet coke or coffee)

Why?  To become AWARE of the power and manner of your drive for comfort.  Being self aware is the first step in any type of spiritual growth.  See how much power is behind your need to be comfortable and soothed.

When you feel the need for comforting pleasures, try to make mental notes in line with the following questions...

What is the distress I am feeling?
Why would I immediately think of turning to be comforted?
How or when did I learn to desire the particular comfort I would like to have right now?
What is it like to say no to this drive for comfort and just live in the distress?

This Evening

Write a brief description about what you experienced today.  If you can, take a moment to share it with someone, like your mom, brother, or spouse.

Scripture and Prayer  

"Yet even now, says the Lord, 'return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning." -Joel 2:12

Fasting isn't normally on the Top 10 Most Fun Things to Do list.  It is interesting what can take place during self-denial.  Sometimes, we are awakened to certain feelings within ourselves that we have not had to deal with before.  It is natural for all of us to seek comfort - but it is actually when we are uncomfortable and vulnerable that God has the opportunity to do some of His greatest work in us.  Because God loves us as precious children, He as the perfect parent wants His children to come to Him with their broken hearts, frustrations, burdens, tears, and sadness.  He knows your heart and has compassion for you.  In Christ, there is nothing you experience that God can't understand.  And thankfully in Christ, we have God in a human - in flesh and blood - like us...so that we can enjoy relationship with God freely and easily.

Jesus of the Cross, I am reminded today that you experienced all that I experience and that gives me comfort.  Thank you for being a God who cares so much about me that you would come into my world and become like me so that I can be in relationship with you.

God of the Universe, I am reminded that you - all powerful and ever-living God - have done the most absurd thing...you gave some of that power to me so that I might be able to make choices of my own.  You don't force yourself.  You don't choose for me.  With such power comes great responsibility.  Thank you God for believing in me enough to give me the gift of freedom in my choices.

Holy Spirit, you are the One True Comforter.  You alone can bring me relief from my human experience in a way that satisfies my soul and connects me to the Triune God.

I pray for guidance and strength.  I pray for courage and wisdom.  I pray for awareness and growth.

God have mercy.  Christ have mercy.

Amen.