Indiana Jones and the Idol of Dionysus (the god of indulgence)

(The terrifying adventure of finding and excavating the idol worshipped for centuries)

Day 1

“In other words, before I became aware of my idolatry, I became aware of the symptoms telling me that something was not right.”

Dee (2012-09-11). Idol Lies (p. 4). Worthy Publishing. Kindle Edition.

“Every believer needs to be set free, and it begins with getting past our denial, with seeing what we really idolize, and admitting this to God and to others.”

Dee (2012-09-11). Idol Lies (p. 6). Worthy Publishing. Kindle Edition.

When I step on my bathroom scales, I see the evidence of sin.  Being diagnosed as clinically obese and skyrocketing blood pressure was a wakeup call.  I have worshipped comfort and security and pleasure enough times to put my health at risk and abuse the body God has given me.  And it’s not just food: it’s that comfy couch that I can’t seem to get up from. IT’s that mindless television show that I watch reruns of for hours. It’s a quick fix for the frustration of being in pain and unable to actively join in life with others.   I’ve lost 20 pounds and am now classified as just overweight, (still stings when I say it to myself) yet I still know that idol of pleasure draws me in and has me bowing before it more times than I would like.  I’ve know this for 8 years…but how do I overcome this sin? Counting calories?  Exercise that leaves me hurting and chronically tired? How can I faithfully exercise when I’m in pain and or sick SO much of the times? Are those just excuses? Am I really lying to myself when I stop after 15 minutes, afraid that my hip will hurt so much I won’t be able to sleep that night?  Why can’t I stop this? Why can’t I lose this weight? What’s missing from me? What is wrong with me?

Now what? I don’t indulge as much as I did before, but it’s still lurking in the shadows ready to jump in front of me; it promises fulfillment and excitement, even a quick fix to whatever but never delivers. How do I keep those God given pleasures in their proper place in my life?

Proverbs 28:13 (NASB95)

¹³He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, But he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion.

Father, I’m confessing this before you and to any who read this blog; I am seeking to forsake it. I need your help and enlightenment. (My sisters in Christ, I need your help too.  Please pray for me. Pray for one another.  We are all struggling with something.)

Wanting to obey but feeling discouraged because “want to” doesn’t translate to “did it”. My own self-control just doesn’t work.

Yet a voice in my heart calls out to me to not lose hope, not give up.

Matthew 7:7–8 (NASB95)

⁷“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. ⁸“For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.”

1 John 5:14–15 (NASB95)

¹⁴This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. ¹⁵And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.”

Father, I it is Your will that I worship, serve, praise and focus on You and You alone.  I’m asking you to open my eyes to where I fail to do that. In the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, Help me to love you with all my heart, my soul and my mind. I pray this too for any who read this, that you would illuminate them to what they put ahead of you and where obedience to you alone can bring the fulfillment they seek in the idols that surround us every day.