New Years Resolutions in September? Well, I made one resolution at the beginning of the year; to stop smoking. I was going to make a post about it on January 1st, but thought that would just be too predictable. (Why follow the crowd?)
I have tried to quit smoking so many times over the years and wasn't sure if this time would be any different. I didn't really want to publicly announce that I was going to quit, and then fail again. I guess I just didn't have the faith that God would lead me out of this addiction.
But, He did. It has been 258 days since I have smoked a cigarette. Yeah!
One reason this has been different is because of my kids. They are now old enough to realize that I was smoking. I really don't want them to smoke when they get older, and I know that I have been a terrible example in this area. They are much more likely to smoke if they have grown up with a smoker.
So I did a couple of things every time I wanted to smoke. 1. Recite 1 Corinthians 10:13, and 2. Imagine my 6 year old puffing away on a cigarette, and then coughing up a lung. That's a terrible image.
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. - 1 Cor. 10:13
So I am thanking God every day that he has given me the strength to quit, and I pray that without my bad example, my kids will never start.
Of course, I have gained 15 pounds since the beginning of the year. That's my next obstacle. One thing at a time, one day at a time.
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