TV, My Sweet Nemesis

Oh, my sweet, sweet nemesis--television.

In March 2014 I publicly admitted my weakness. I'd created a late-night TV and junk food comfort zone. "Comfort zone" sound much better than "addiction," right?
I thought I'd conquered television's dreamy pull, but recent late-night reruns lured me back in.
Shows from the past half century unfold before my delighted (and slightly glazed) eyes.

The Twilight Zone. Alfred Hitchcock Presents. Perry Mason. The Rifleman . . .

Midnight finds me ransacking the fridge like a rabid wolverine. After stuffing my face I fall asleep to the TV's lulling drone.
The next day I wake bloated, groggy, and kicking myself for making such a foolish choice. 
Again.
 
Last night I prayed for help. Instead of a sudden disdain for chocolate or a potato chip aversion, the Lord reminded me of Galatians 5:22-23. 
 
One of the fruits of the spirit is self-control. 
God had already given it to me, but I needed to exercise it. 
 
Say WHAT?
 
Late night TV offers a slew of workout DVD's promising to strengthen my abs and glutes. Unfortunately, none for exercising self-control. 
 
So I prayed, "OK, Lord, I need strength to exercise my self-control." Soon after I came across this passage,

"As soon as I pray, you answer me; you encourage me by giving me strength." Psalm 138:3 NLT
 And He did. Last night I snuggled in bed instead of the recliner, and held a book in place of a remote.

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You might be saying, "TV addiction? Seriously? That's nothing compared to what I'm facing."
Fair enough. So what are you struggling with today?

• Drinking?
• Smoking?
• Drugs?
• Pornography?
• Stealing?
• Eating disorder?

The list is almost endless, but no matter what we battle, the bible offers good news.

"The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure." 1 Corinthians 10:13 NLT

No matter what you're struggling with, it's not bigger than God. He's an ever-present help in time of trouble. 

Bring your situation to Him. 
Dig into the bible to find answers to your issue. 
Be accountable to trustworthy people.
Be honest with yourself about the problem.

And I'll do the same with the TV/late-night food obsession. The trail of Nacho Cheese Doritos would give me away anyhow.

Turkey photo courtesy of [email protected]
Chain photo courtesy khunaspix @freedigitalphotos.net