O: This reading is an interesting one. This is where mans downfall happened. We see Eve giving Adam the apple from the Tree of Knowledge, of which they were not supposed to eat. The serpent promised Eve that if she ate this, then she would be as wise as God. What a mistake! But, Eve, human as we, gave into the promises of more.
How many times have we eaten something that we just knew that it wasn't good for us? But it just looked too good to pass up. Hence, Eve's dilemma. Oh, that apple looked good. The serpent promised her it would bring wisdom. Oh... just one bite.
And so the fall of mankind happened. All because of an apple. That's all it takes. Just that one thing that is forbidden. And the more we are told we can't have it, the more we want it.
I've been learning a lot about addiction lately. It's just that one hit, that one toke, that one drink that starts it all. It's all downhill from there. The addict KNOWS it's not good, but they do it anyway. It's fueled by emotion and sensation. It's a way to not feel anything for a while or to forget for a while. They don't think of the long term consequences. They don't think of the people and the life they will lose.
It's like that a lot in our earthly lives. The promise of better, younger, thinner, richer. It's all of what the flesh says we want. But it's not what God wants. We don't consider the consequences. We're willing to give in to that craving. It's Satan whispering in our ear. In that one moment we fall from grace.
We don't have to give in to that temptation. We can be stronger than Satan's whispers and promises. It's not worth that fall. It's not worth the guilt. When those promises of more start, pray. When Satan starts tugging, cast him out. Tell him to go. Ask Jesus to make him go! It won't be easy, but it will be worth it.
A: This is a good lesson to remember. Change doesn't come easy for me. It fuels my anxiety. It makes me feel uncomfortable. But it is in those times that I need to hold onto my faith, the promises that Jesus made for me. Those are the only ones I can believe.
Everything in my life has been a struggle, a fight. But all of that has made me stronger. It made me rely on Jesus a whole lot.
I will take things one day at a time. I won't believe the lies that I play out day-to-day in my head. I will believe in what Jesus has promised me! (And, if I'm lucky, as I repeat that over and over, maybe I'll even believe it! lol) And if I do fall, I know Jesus will be there to pick me up and make me start over.
P: Lord Jesus, You never promised us that it would be easy. This life we are given is precious. You told us how we are to live it, yet sometimes we fall into the trap of believing the lies we hear. When those negative thoughts start, when the promise of more and better are thrown at me, I pray for You to give me the strength to turn away from them. You are the rock on which I stand. It is through Your Holy Grace that I am still here. I have come too far to give up now. Jesus, give me the strength to stare temptation in the face and say no. I am Your daughter. Your creation. I want to live as You taught us to. I know with You I can do all things. And all the people said AMEN!
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