Day 5, Deflecting Responsibility

I have lost count of how many days of my life I flung myself into terrible habits and health choices when things got crazy. I blamed it on sassy little girls, plans going awry, other people's terrible attitudes, children being sick, something on the farm breaking down…

I did not want to take responsibility, not for the waylaid plans or the choices of others. I didn’t want to take responsibility for MY choices. I wanted to place the blame on others or circumstances. As I deflected responsibility I made myself a victim, a helpless victim of others. I took away all my power and refused the power of the Holy Spirit to give me strength and just dove into damaging my body or refusing to care for the precious vessel God has given me. 

When I look at God’s word, it is pretty obvious that He wants me to care for my body, not obsessively or one-mindedly, but with the same attitude of honor that I am asked to give the other blessings and resources He places in my life. When I deflect responsibility I don’t trust God to provide a way out of temptation and the power to keep going. (1 Corinthians 10:13)

Today, as we move forward in our commitment to change, I want us to be sensitive to where we deflect blame and give the power of our lives over to others and circumstances. 2 Timothy 1:7 says: “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but of power, love and self-control.” When the moment comes for you to be tempted to give up, ask God to fill you with power to make a good choice, love for yourself and others, and the self-control to keep moving forward. 

I am so proud of you.

Journal Prompt: Where do you find yourself placing blame on others even though the choices were yours? What could you have done differently? How could love for yourself and others fuel your commitment to make a good choice? 

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