Ah, the joys of Lent! If you’re anything like me, the willpower is starting to wane, and the things I’m fasting are proving very attractive!
I read this in UCB’s Word for Today the other day:
If you’re serious about building strong character, set higher standards for yourself and refuse to lower them. Need a role model? You won’t find a better one than Jesus. He said, ‘If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself’ (Matthew 16:24 NIV). Each day look for an opportunity to say ‘no’ to yourself in some small area. Try it; you’ll be surprised how hard it is. But the payoff will come when you need to say no to yourself in some big area of life. Like saving for a rainy day, you’ll have spiritual strength to draw on when you need it.
Ain’t spiritual discipline grand? Tough at the time, but worth it in the end!