Philippians 3: 13-15. “Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
I had finally achieved my goal weight.
I rewarded myself with a decadent hot fudge sundae.
Just kidding.
I took all of my bigger-sized clothes out of the closet, bagged them up, and put them on a shelf in the garage—just in case I ever back-slid…
Have you ever done that—failed to put the past completely behind you—and focus, instead, on what is ahead?
I know someone who gave up pornography, boxed up his magazines and put them in the tool shed.
See, he hadn’t completely given up the thought of them. They were still in the back of his house, enticing him. His focus was off. His resolve to lead a new, clean lifestyle was hampered by the temptation of the sinful behavior he had once practiced.
I kept the larger clothes at my fingertips. It made it easier for me to consider giving in to cheesecake and brownies, knowing I could always pull out my larger jeans.
The Bible verse in Philippians is one of my favorites. In it, Paul encourages us to keep our eyes on the prize and not look back.
Whether you are struggling to control a sinful behavior or simply wanting a deeper, more meaningful relationship with God, follow Paul’s example.
Keep your eyes on the prize and don’t look back.
Don’t keep things that tempt you within reach or consider them in your thinking.
I pray that the Holy Spirit will keep you strong.
