24 Day Challenge...Days 12 and 13

I hit the halfway point of my challenge yesterday!!!  I have really been watching the quality of the foods I am eating now that I have a little more freedom.  Even though it was about 100 degrees today and yesterday, I managed to take Miss Thang on 2 walks each about 1 mile long yesterday and about a mile and a half walk today.  She keeps me accountable because she is always happiest when she is outside, and absolutely loves getting in her stroller and cruising around town.  However, confession time, I did wind up eating pizza (thin crust), a brownie, and a no bake cookie at my Bible study last night : (.  I have a weak spot for chocolate and cheese!  I did stay right around my calorie count for the day, but definitely felt the guilts a little.
I have been thinking the last couple of days about how jealous I am of those people who have never once had to think about a single thing they eat.  We all know some people like that, you know the ones, they eat nothing but Velveeta cheese, greasy fries, candy bars, and cokes and absolutely never gain even an ounce.  They typically wear a size no bigger than a 2 and seem to complain about being fat (we all know they are just fishing for the "you are so skinny" compliment, I am tempted to agree with the next skinny person I hear who says they are getting fat just to see what they would say).   Those people make me sick!  If I think about thinking about a chocolate bar, I seem to gain weight.  God has been really dealing with my jealousy in that aspect.  Everyone has their own battles, and just because we cannot physically see the issues that other people deal with...EVERYONE HAS THEIR OWN PROBLEMS!
I was reading 1 Corinthians 10 last night and got smacked with a dose of reality.  1 Corinthians 10:12-13 NLT "If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall.  The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience.  And God is faithful.  He will not allow the temptations to be more that you can stand.  When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so you can endure."  Wow!  Talk about a humbling verse.  We all have our own temptations.  Mine is chocolate, but others may struggle with greed, alcohol, drugs, the need for approval, the list goes on and on.  Many of us have more than one temptation at different points in our lives.    Just because someone isn't struggling with the same thing I am doesn't me they don't have a different struggle.
The other thing that has come to my mind today is a story from 2 Corinthians 12.  It is where Paul is talking about the visions and revelations that he has received from the Lord.  He talks about how it would be so easy to boast and brag about everything God has shown him, but the Lord gave him a thorn in the flesh (perhaps in his thoughts or even some kind of physical pain) to keep him from becoming prideful.  I think that it is the same for all of us.  If nothing ever goes wrong or if we don't have any weaknesses in our lives, what point would their be in depending on God.  Who needs God when you are living a perfect life?  I know some of the darkest or bleakest points in my life have strengthened my relationship on God the most.  Sometimes we get lazy when everything is going well. We learn true dependence through our struggles.  When we let go of our lives and our own strength that is when God can really do his work through us.
Now, trust me, I am not trying to sound preachy or holier than thou in saying all that.  I am simply sharing what God has been showing me through my own struggles.  I will be praying for an extra measure of strength as I go into my weekend.  I will be attending both a baby shower and a wedding!  Pray for me ; )