Don’t worry. This is not a teatotaler’s devotion. This is a gentle reminder. It can be easy during times of isolation and stress to turn to less than healthy ways to cope. I’m sure you’ve seen the headlines and heard the stories. Alcohol and drug use and abuse has skyrocketed during the pandemic. Recent statistics released by Nielsen, report that alcohol sales have increased by 55% (beer sales increased 42%; wine sales increased 66%; spirits sales such as tequila, gin, and pre-mixed cocktails increased 75%). This verse is about turning to anything in excess and more importantly allowing anything to become our “port in the storm” other than God. There is no doubt we have to adjust our time and how we spend it. The easiest options are mind numbing activities, in which binge eating or binge watching are both bad ideas. Actually, binge anything is most likely not a good alternative. Using this time to learn, grow (not in girth), and build relationships can be very positive. I have been working on losing those 10 pounds I’ve always said I would lose. Some ‘temple’ development. Today, identify areas where you may have allowed bad habits to begin to form and replace them with God-honoring thoughts and behaviors. #BeTheEdge
“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore, glorify God in your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NASB
