and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:30,31
The verse above was the January 21 entry from Daily Strength for Daily Needs. Its author included the following quote from Henry More (1614-1687) as part of the devotion.
"By persisting in a habit of self-denial, we shall, beyond what I can
express, increase the inward powers of the mind, and shall produce that
cheerfulness and greatness of spirit as will fit us for all good purposes;
and shall not have lost pleasure, but changed it; the soul being then
filled with its own intrinsic pleasures."
The last line is what struck me. If we practice self-denial in favor of what God desires for our lives we "shall not have lost pleasure, but changed it."
Too often both nonChristians and Christians view giving up some destructive habit, thought pattern or relationship as a kill-joy requirement of our faith. "I enjoy smoking, but can't not because my body is a temple." "The Bible teaches against gossip, so I guess I should quit even though it makes lunch breaks at work a lot more fun."
If obedience to God is seen as a loss of pleasure, then we will view God as a cosmic killjoy. But Henry More puts a positive spin on self-denial. The pleasure is not lost, but changed. Our pleasure comes from the knowledge that we have been obedient to God. Our happiness comes not from the habit, but from knowing that we have pleased our Heavenly Father and that He is pleased with us.
Giving up a habit or vice or particular sin is gaining pleasure, not losing it.
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