FOOD FOR THOUGHT - OA OCTOBER

[MajestyJo]

Monday, October 20, 2014

You are reading from the book Food for Thought

Physical Restraint

Self-control is hard work. When the urge comes to do something, which we know is not in our best interest, we physically restrain ourselves from performing the destructive action. This often requires hard, physical effort.

We may want to eat when we should not be eating, we may want to lash out in anger, we may want to retreat from a difficult task, we may want to continue a harmful relationship. Whatever the urge, if we know deep down that it is contrary to God's will for us, we need to control it and not act on it.

Time spent with our Higher Power each day builds the strength and integrity, which can control our destructive urges. Alone, we are powerless, but with the OA program supporting us we find strength we never had before. With abstinence comes the clarity of mind necessary to evaluate our urges and desires.

May I have the moral strength to physically restrain myself when necessary.

This is what I have had to do. I tend to be gung ho about something, and I am off like a dirty shirt, often with out a plan, and fly by the seat of my pants, and figure, "God will lead, when in fact, my God is sitting back shaking His head and saying, "Tsk, tsk! there she goes again, didn't she learn her lesson the last time."