The Do-Do’s

Paul…I love that guy. I imagine we will have lots to talk about someday in Heaven. He gets me. He gets humanity. He said it best when he wrote: “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do- this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.” Romans 7:15-20

I call this the “Do-Do” verse for about twenty reasons. This verse has always intrigued me and the older I get the more it resonates with me. I struggle daily with a list of things. It is truly a battle of epic proportions. I am a wife and a mom and a warrior against the do-do’s. Anyone else in this battle too?

I carry this baggage. I struggle with thought patterns, bad habits and the innate magnetism I have to toxic things. It hasn’t always been there. I blame myself. Paul also said to take every thought captive and I now believe that word of advice was so we could detox our minds and keep the trash out. I mean, if it isn’t lovely, pure, wholesome, etc., should the thought even be worth the time of contemplation? Sometimes, I war against my do-do’s 1,440 times a day. Yeah, you guessed it. That’s how many minutes are in a day but honestly in the middle of wielding scripture and fighting off what came to steal my sanity and peace, it feels like that number is exceptionally huge!

Do you ever exhaust yourself simply by a mind battle? I don’t know if this is true for our male counterparts. My husband tells me all the time that men are only capable of thinking one thing at a time and most of the time that gets derailed into La-La land. So maybe it’s just a girl thing. But geez…it is tough!

So are the do-do’s only in the mind? NO! I tell my kids, “Trash in. Trash out.” That means not caving into my flesh to read the gossip blasted on Facebook or watch a polluted, degrading reality show just to see fame-crazed adults blow through a group of singles to find “true love.” I’m making a gagging face right now because puh-leaze!! The world has a super twisted view of what love is and that’s a topic for later. How about this one? I’m walking past a Reese’s and trying to convince myself that I don’t need it and it will only add minutes to my work out. But good grief! That chocolate candy will definitely make me feel better for about five minutes before guilt sets in. So, I am filled with do-do. You are too. What can one do? (No pun intended lol!) I am a list maker. Here you go! (This is my personal self- help list.)

1. Get an accountability partner. Who can you trust your life with?
2. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
3. Get in the word of God. Find a translation that is easy for you to understand and even if it’s a few scriptures a day, read it. Soak it in.
4. Listen to worship music. Trust me! Nothing will change the atmosphere and your mindset faster than turning on some Jesus music!
5. Journal. You may not enjoy writing but getting your thoughts out on paper (and not social media) can really help you in forming strategies to work through it.
6. Leave yourself sticky notes throughout your home. Anytime I receive an encouraging word or there’s a quote I love…I write it out and leave random sticky notes on my mirrors and doors. I have a collection right now on my nightstand. It’s self-encouragement.
7. Last and most importantly, remember that you CANNOT do this in your own strength. Rely on Jesus and trust Him to partner with you in this battle…to pull you to your feet when you are weak and to be your champion.

You know that saying “to err is human?” It may be one of the truest statements in defining humanity. We are gonna screw up. But God’s grace covers our messes like bleach on a stain. And Jesus… oh how I love Him! He is our defender, champion and redeemer. Try…do you part and try. Winning is not curling up in the fetal position and throwing up the white flag. Winning is calling on Jesus to come and do what only He can do. If this is a race, then imagine Jesus on the sidelines holding your #1 fan sign! He is right beside us and cheering us on. His strength is more than capable of handling the do-do’s when they invade!!