Hey Everyone!
Admittedly, this thread title alone could be an interesting test of whether or not people actually read the original post. If we get anyone blasting their way into the thread with lectures and walls of Scripture about our sinful nature and lusts of the flesh... It's a dead giveaway that this first post was skipped.
The context I'm thinking about here is, why does it feel so good to "break away from routine" and do something for ourselves that feels so GOOD that it actually seems BAD, even if it's really not?
For example:
* Why does it feel so good to have a "cheat day" if you're dieting? Now, I'm not talking about total gluttony or going to a buffet and gorging to the point where you really ARE doing something sinful that harms your body. What I mean is, why does it feel SO good, after going low-carb for 3 days, to eat a meal of TACOS made with ACTUAL heart, crunchy, gloriously carb-filled cornmeal taco shells and finish it off with a dish of (full-fat) ice cream?
* Why does it feel so good, after diligently following a regular exercise program for some time, to take a day or two (or even a week) off and just watch movies, TV, or play video games? Or maybe for you it's the opposite... If you're carving some time out of your busy schedule to work out, do you feel guilty for taking time for yourself?
* Why does it feel so good for people who take care of other people (parents raising kids; adults taking care of parents; older brother or sister caring for their younger siblings) to take time off and enjoy themselves, even when they often feel guilt for not being with the people they are caring for?
* Why does it feel so good to read a book, do some shopping, or go on vacation, and why do we often feel "guilty" because we're not at work or doing something "productive"?
Feel free to post your own examples that fit under these categories as well, and then talk about why enjoyable things can create such negative stigmas and feelings.
It there something wrong in our society or our culture today that has somehow made such things seem "evil" or as if they're something to feel guilty about?
What makes "good" things feel "bad" in your life, and is there something we should change about that?
Admittedly, this thread title alone could be an interesting test of whether or not people actually read the original post. If we get anyone blasting their way into the thread with lectures and walls of Scripture about our sinful nature and lusts of the flesh... It's a dead giveaway that this first post was skipped.
The context I'm thinking about here is, why does it feel so good to "break away from routine" and do something for ourselves that feels so GOOD that it actually seems BAD, even if it's really not?
For example:
* Why does it feel so good to have a "cheat day" if you're dieting? Now, I'm not talking about total gluttony or going to a buffet and gorging to the point where you really ARE doing something sinful that harms your body. What I mean is, why does it feel SO good, after going low-carb for 3 days, to eat a meal of TACOS made with ACTUAL heart, crunchy, gloriously carb-filled cornmeal taco shells and finish it off with a dish of (full-fat) ice cream?
* Why does it feel so good, after diligently following a regular exercise program for some time, to take a day or two (or even a week) off and just watch movies, TV, or play video games? Or maybe for you it's the opposite... If you're carving some time out of your busy schedule to work out, do you feel guilty for taking time for yourself?
* Why does it feel so good for people who take care of other people (parents raising kids; adults taking care of parents; older brother or sister caring for their younger siblings) to take time off and enjoy themselves, even when they often feel guilt for not being with the people they are caring for?
* Why does it feel so good to read a book, do some shopping, or go on vacation, and why do we often feel "guilty" because we're not at work or doing something "productive"?
Feel free to post your own examples that fit under these categories as well, and then talk about why enjoyable things can create such negative stigmas and feelings.
It there something wrong in our society or our culture today that has somehow made such things seem "evil" or as if they're something to feel guilty about?
What makes "good" things feel "bad" in your life, and is there something we should change about that?