When God tells you to STOP SHOPPING
Do you have a secret (or not so secret) addiction? I'm not talking about the so-called seedier vices. Nope, I'm talking about a socially-acceptable habit.
I've had MANY addictions--seedy and the not-so-seedy alike. And God has delivered me from most of the biggies. But recently, an old friend has knocking on my door. And I've let her in. Repeatedly.
And here's the funny thing, I've been in enemy territory for a lot longer than I care to admit. How can I say that? Because recently, I felt like God told me to "stop shopping."
Like shut it down. Quit.
Not shopping is turning out to be kind of a big deal to me. It's not like we have a ton of money. Maybe you can relate to my internal rationalization: "It's Walmart. What's the big deal if I bought 3 $7 sweatshirts? It's nothing."
Except for "nothing" was happening far too frequently.
"I've got to go to the store for bread and milk I'd tell myself, why not make it Walmart? After all, they've got some amazing deals." More lies.
Christmas. "I SO need to shop for everyone. Two for you, one for me." Every gift excursion meant more for my closet.
I'd come home on a regular basis, hustling my bags to my walk-in closet before my husband noticed. (This is so not OK). And I was right. Most of the time he didn't notice (or at least never said anything) the seemingly endless supply of sweaters and sweatshirts flowing out of my closet.
I'm not proud of this self-centered ridiculousness. It's lame and selfish and evil. Why evil? Because it's contrary to God. No, shopping in and of itself isn't evil or wrong. Neither is wanting to look your best. It's the WAY I shopped. The "fix" was happening far too frequently. I wasn't telling my husband. I was sucking money away from our family.
Here's the even more self-deceiving part. I "hang out" with God every day. I read my Bible, journal, pray for my family and random people, meditate, and sometimes I get SUPER spiritual and listen to worship music WHILE I'm doing all that stuff. I even listen to pastors online and attend a spirit-filled church. In my MIND, me and God are tight.
Super Jesus-y right? Yeah, not so much when I consider my behavior. And here's the funny thing, I was probably content to keep right on shopping. (Although, to be honest, my last purchase WRACKED me with guilt and conviction and anguish and yuck--and it was a 50% off coat for gosh sakes. But still.)
It took the firm, calm, kind of monotone voice of Jesus said to "stop shopping" to shut me down from my happy place and wake me up.
It's been a few days and WOW. I had no idea how much of an addict I am.
Everywhere I look, there's an opportunity to shop. A makeup rep's phone number on her rear window calls to me. The me-junkie starts talking.
"You DO need more makeup and it IS a good way to make new Christian friends. I should so call her."
OH. MY. GOSH. Stop!
Here's the good news. Putting down the debit card is bringing me SO. MUCH. GOD.
In the past several days, I've experienced CRAZY warfare AND I've "seen" things in the spirit, spoken a new prayer language for the first time ever.
He's given me CLEAR CUT WISDOM and direction and I'm pressing into the WORD like I haven't in more than a year.
People-pleasing and leg-climbing isn't a thing for me today.
We're all just people living our lives and striving for whatever and that for me to get lost in trying to please folks who could care less for me is a WASTE. OF. TIME.
It's Jesus or BUST.
What is God kinda bugging you to give up?
I've had MANY addictions--seedy and the not-so-seedy alike. And God has delivered me from most of the biggies. But recently, an old friend has knocking on my door. And I've let her in. Repeatedly.
And here's the funny thing, I've been in enemy territory for a lot longer than I care to admit. How can I say that? Because recently, I felt like God told me to "stop shopping."
Like shut it down. Quit.
Not shopping is turning out to be kind of a big deal to me. It's not like we have a ton of money. Maybe you can relate to my internal rationalization: "It's Walmart. What's the big deal if I bought 3 $7 sweatshirts? It's nothing."
Except for "nothing" was happening far too frequently.
"I've got to go to the store for bread and milk I'd tell myself, why not make it Walmart? After all, they've got some amazing deals." More lies.
Christmas. "I SO need to shop for everyone. Two for you, one for me." Every gift excursion meant more for my closet.
I'd come home on a regular basis, hustling my bags to my walk-in closet before my husband noticed. (This is so not OK). And I was right. Most of the time he didn't notice (or at least never said anything) the seemingly endless supply of sweaters and sweatshirts flowing out of my closet.
I'm not proud of this self-centered ridiculousness. It's lame and selfish and evil. Why evil? Because it's contrary to God. No, shopping in and of itself isn't evil or wrong. Neither is wanting to look your best. It's the WAY I shopped. The "fix" was happening far too frequently. I wasn't telling my husband. I was sucking money away from our family.
Here's the even more self-deceiving part. I "hang out" with God every day. I read my Bible, journal, pray for my family and random people, meditate, and sometimes I get SUPER spiritual and listen to worship music WHILE I'm doing all that stuff. I even listen to pastors online and attend a spirit-filled church. In my MIND, me and God are tight.
Super Jesus-y right? Yeah, not so much when I consider my behavior. And here's the funny thing, I was probably content to keep right on shopping. (Although, to be honest, my last purchase WRACKED me with guilt and conviction and anguish and yuck--and it was a 50% off coat for gosh sakes. But still.)
It took the firm, calm, kind of monotone voice of Jesus said to "stop shopping" to shut me down from my happy place and wake me up.
It's been a few days and WOW. I had no idea how much of an addict I am.
Everywhere I look, there's an opportunity to shop. A makeup rep's phone number on her rear window calls to me. The me-junkie starts talking.
"You DO need more makeup and it IS a good way to make new Christian friends. I should so call her."
OH. MY. GOSH. Stop!
Here's the good news. Putting down the debit card is bringing me SO. MUCH. GOD.
In the past several days, I've experienced CRAZY warfare AND I've "seen" things in the spirit, spoken a new prayer language for the first time ever.
He's given me CLEAR CUT WISDOM and direction and I'm pressing into the WORD like I haven't in more than a year.
People-pleasing and leg-climbing isn't a thing for me today.
We're all just people living our lives and striving for whatever and that for me to get lost in trying to please folks who could care less for me is a WASTE. OF. TIME.
It's Jesus or BUST.
What is God kinda bugging you to give up?
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