The word temptation has come to mean something bad to us today, but we tend to use the word in the wrong way. Temptation itself is not sin; it is something we are bound to face simply by virtue of being human.

Temptations are all around us constantly; it is so hard to say no sometimes.  This is one of the main reasons why a lot of people turn their back on religion. People want to do what they want, whenever they want.

One of the greatest things God has given them is free will, so of course they have the right to do whatever they please, but what people don’t realize is the reason behind the rules.

Many people think that happiness means doing exactly what they want – when they want – however they want, but this is not how you reach happiness. True happiness comes from discipline, and from discipline comes growth.

Many people today don’t realize the power of discipline. Without discipline we are weak, without discipline our lives are in disarray, without discipline we will never become the people we were sent here to become.Where there is discipline, there will be temptation, the temptation to fall back into your old ways. Every time that you say no to a temptation, it shows that you are in control, that you are becoming a stronger person. God wants to give you great things but only if you demonstrate that you are worthy of them.

4:30am

For Lent each year, many people cut out sweets, chocolate or coffee, etc. I start something rather than cut out something. I find that it’s more beneficial to do something that will develop you as a person.This year I decided that I would set my alarm for 4.30am each morning. In the beginning, I felt exhausted as I would go to bed at my usual time of 12 pm. I have always been a night owl. After a few days, I started to go earlier and earlier, until I got into a routine of going to bed at 9.30-10.

This year I decided that I would set my alarm for 4.30am each morning. In the beginning, I felt exhausted as I would go to bed at my usual time of 12 pm. I have always been a night owl. After a few days, I started to go earlier and earlier, until I got into a routine of going to bed at 9.30-10.

In the beginning, there was the temptation to hit the snooze button and have an extra couple of hours but after two weeks, I started to notice the difference it was making. I noticed reading first thing in the morning was so much more enjoyable than night, as my mind was fresh.

Before the world was awake, I had my morning read, breakfast and an early morning walk which set me up for the day.  I had more energy and my mood was better than it had been for years. Over the last few weeks, I have noticed how much more relaxed I am approaching situations that would have me flustered in the past.

Whenever I challenge myself; I come closer to God, and to all those that are around me. I find I evolve as a person; my character gets stronger, I strengthen mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

What I would like you to do for the next few days is to challenge yourself to do something that you have been meaning to do for awhile but never got around to. Whenever you challenge yourself to do something new you will find the temptation to fall back into your old ways, this temptation is good as it shows that what you want to achieve is worth working towards, if there is no resistance then there is simply nothing worth attaining.

Have a great week.
Rev J Martin