The Key Isn’t Willpower. It’s Avoidance.

This week’s been a busy one for me and God. Not just in activity, but in what He’s been showing me—over several days, all tied to the same theme.

I’ve been trying to stay closer to God by stepping away from some of the junk in this world. For me right now, that’s snacks and alcohol. Honestly, the snacks are the bigger issue. But both have been on my heart.

Then came the crash.

Friends came over one night, and I blew it. Big time. The next day, I felt so awful I tried to do a full-day water fast. That tanked too. I felt miserable, got nothing done, and broke the fast early.

But God was right there with me. And here’s what He showed me—one day at a time:

1. Holiness isn’t about swinging from bad to extreme good.
It’s built by stacking up good days—imperfect ones, with holy moments in them. Not a streak of perfection. Just showing up and doing good again and again.

2. The key isn’t resisting temptation—it’s avoiding it.
Keep it out of your sight, out of your thoughts, out of your house if you can. When it does sneak in (or you wander into it), do what Job did: bounce your eyes and your thoughts to something holy. Don’t fight it. Don’t linger. Just bounce.

3. Bounce to Mary.
Jesus brought me right to the foot of the cross—where His mother stood. And just as He gave her to John, He gave her to all of us. That includes me. That’s where He wants my eyes and heart to go the moment temptation hits. Especially now, with food and alcohol. But really—any temptation.

And again… I wouldn’t have come up with this. The order, the clarity, the peace—it’s all from Him.

Reflection Questions:

Is there something you’ve been trying to resist that might be better to avoid altogether?
What temptation do you need to bounce your eyes or thoughts from?
When you do bounce—where do you turn? What helps you focus on Jesus?