Habits of Overcoming #1: Guarding

Thanks to CathyCracks at Flick'r

Ancient cities posted watchmen on the city wall.  When one of them saw trouble on the way, the city’s gates would be closed, and the enemy would be forced to do battle with stone walls, rampart defenses and massive barricades before ever gaining access.  And solid defenses did more than just stall the enemy... in many instances, a city's foes were so effectively discouraged that they never bothered to attack in the first place.  Contrast this to many of us, however, who are allowing temptation to enter our lives unchecked - doors left wide open - and then acting surprised when its attacks trump our good intentions!

THE STEPS:
1) Identify the Means: If the attack is lust, then the vehicle may be images, a 900 number, or the fact that you’re staring at and/or thinking of someone or some thing inappropriately.  If the attack is greed, then the means may be a certain store, website, catalog, TV show, or the presence of people who worship money and material goods.  If the attack is gluttony, then eating establishments, advertisements, and shopping aisles are all possible adversaries.  Add an "etc" here, and use your common sense to apply this to other areas.

2) Close the Gates: When the screen, audio, page or person starts exalting sensuality, don’t wait to see if the rest of the presentation is going to take it down a notch; end the audience and walk away.  When the internet tells you to spend your money right now, delete the email, surf to safer waters, shut it down.  Or if a temptation on the net is amplified by privacy, cancel your service and just use the free stuff in public places.  When you hear that familiar segue in the conversation that's going to lead into gossip and backbiting, excuse yourself.  Back out of the drive-through - or if it's too late for that, you can still leave them holding the bag... as long as you paid for it ;).  Paying the price and enduring a little embarrassment now will make you feel much better (and stronger) later.  Whether the problem is gambling, drinking, drugging, or WHAT EVER, there are relatively easy ways to close the gates and protect yourself, so just do it! 

3) Exterior Clean Up: Stop leaving "invitations" to mess up sitting around the house, car or workplace - destroy the offending items and refuse to replace them.

4) Interior Clean Up: NEVER wax sentimental over the articles of your enslavement.  Get serious. 

TIPS FOR WIMPS
◗ Think back.  What good and lasting thing have you ever gained by leaving the door open to temptation?  On the other hand, what have you lost or suffered through as a result?
◗ Be honest.  If you still want to indulge the temptation a bit, this exercise (and this blog) is a waste of your time.  Make up your mind firmly first.
◗ Think ahead.  Whatever you can do to identify and defuse (or avoid) upcoming tempting situations is to your advantage.

THE UNDERLYING PRINCIPLE:
The better your protection is, the less destruction can take place.  And once your heart is well-guarded, there will be many times when you don’t have to fight at all; temptation simply won’t get close enough.  It's more than worth the cost, isn't it?