Is there an area (or areas) of your life that you cling to as Your own?

I'm becoming much more intentional about my faith and examining my day to day life. Even just 2 or 3 years ago I was much more of a CES Christian....and by that I mean Christmas, Easter and Sundays, and even then it was only those Sundays I attended worship.

The rest of the time, I can't honestly say that I concerned myself with asking 'is this a Christian thing to do'? or 'would Jesus approve'. A good example would be gambling...5+ years ago I used to play texas hold 'em tourney's once or twice a week. Now that's something that...I'm not going there any more. Am I tempted? Thankfully its not a temptation that has been put in front of me for a long time. But lotteries....that's also gambling, and I'm coming to realize that I have to let them go too....God knows my needs.

There's one big area that I haven't been able to let go....and that is smoking. I take solace in a remark I once heard, that smoking won't lead you to going to hell, you'll just smell like you've been there. I don't like smoking, but I am addicted.

Does anyone else have an area of their life that they feel is still 'their own' where you haven't given it over to Christ? Or maybe there was an area that you kept to yourself but you eventually did give up?

I have written many posts through the years about my smoking addiction. I'm an addict and nicotine is my drug of choice.

I'm not a smoker and honestly don't understand the "addiction" part of it, so it's really easy for me to judge. I heard a smoker say once that he had prayed and prayed for Jesus to take away the addiction. One day, this person sensed the Lord speaking to them, saying that He had other concerns in this person's life presently, and that He would deal with the smoking in His time.

I'd say that if you can kick the habit, do so, but if you can't, put it in the Lord's hands and ask for His peace until He sorts it out.

Off the top of my head, there are 3 or 4 things that I haven't turned over to Christ...Make that 5, I just thought of another... I'm not even sure what "given it over to Christ" means, but I'm pretty sure he doesn't want my bad habits or behavior. I'd imagine he would prefer that I handle and overcome these things myself.