Are you in the process of learning to live healthier? Maybe your New Year’s resolution was to eat better, exercise, or in some other way improve your physical health? Join us for the next few days as we offer scripture, insight, and encouragement to help on that journey.
Today’s scripture: Romans 12:2 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Vivian Wyatt):
Twenty one years ago, I was a three-pack-a-day smoker. I was one of those people who lit my cigarette with the one that I was putting out. Everything I did was an excuse to have a cigarette. I received a telephone call; light up a cigarette. I got up in the morning; light a cigarette. Drink a cup of coffee; light a cigarette. I was a mess. And for the last couple of years during this time, I didn’t even enjoy smoking. In fact, I had to chew gum to stand the taste. I was hooked on nicotine and spearmint gum.
I knew it was unhealthy. I knew I was shortening my life. I knew that I had to sit in the smoker’s section of restaurants and yet I could not stop smoking. I tried hypnotism. I tried all sorts of step-down processes and nothing worked. I had to have that cigarette.
Then I read today’s verse. What stood out for me at that first reading was transformation by renewing your mind. I applied that to smoking. I began to tell myself every time I lit up a cigarette, This is going to kill you. This is going to be the reason why you will never see your son get married. This is why you will never know your grandchildren. Try telling yourself that 60 times a day — trust me, it will renew your mind. It changed my mind about smoking.
I started talking myself out of smoking sometime around Christmas, 1992. I don’t remember the exact date, but I do remember the day I stopped smoking for good: February 17, 1993, 19 years ago next month. On that day I woke up and I didn’t want a cigarette and I haven’t wanted a cigarette since.
After about two months of renewing my mind about cigarettes, of deciding what was more important to me, I was transformed, I was set free. Is this what Paul meant when he wrote “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect”?
Does God care if I smoke or not? I believe so; not because it’s a sin, but because it’s unhealthy. I believe that being a healthy non-smoker is a part of God’s will for me. Now to change my mind about sweets!
Thought for the day: What area of my life could use a transformed way of thinking? What’s holding me back?
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the suggestions on the How to Pray page.