\n<\/strong><\/h2>\n
If you feel like you are doing too much, remember it is okay to scale back. We all bite off more than we can chew. First find out if you have too much to do because you are allowing yourself to be preoccupied with worldly things or if you simply don\u2019t have enough time in the day to fulfill all your commitments. \u00a0If so, review your priorities and make sure the eternal matters\u00a0are handled appropriately.<\/p>\n
Are you doing too little?<\/h2>\n
If you feel like you don\u2019t notice any difference between Lent and regular daily living, that is a sign you aren\u2019t doing enough. Consider adding something small and simple to help you along in your spiritual life. This could include a daily morning prayer, thanking God for 3 things each night, or setting aside time to read your bible for 10-15 minutes each day.<\/p>\n
Fasting vs Dieting<\/h2>\n
Be careful no to make fasting and dieting the same. A way to check to see if you are fasting or dieting is to ask yourself why you are abstaining from whatever you are considering eating. If you say no to the item because you \u201cdon\u2019t need more sugar”, “are cutting back on carbs”, or “want to stay thin,\u201d then you are abstaining for dieting purposes. If you say no because you want to offer it up to God, then you are truly building up the Kingdom of Heaven.<\/p>\n
Getting Started<\/h2>\n
Don\u2019t start off too great. For instance, if you rarely ever read your bible, don\u2019t start off by trying to\u00a0read 30 minutes a day. You will end up feeling burned out and bored by the second week of Lent. Instead, try only 3 minutes for the first week. Then move up to 5 in the second week. Then 8. and so on. It may seem insignificant, but remember that each small brick adds up to a great building. \u00a0Lifelong habits can and should be\u00a0forged during Lent, and these small steps will help ensure a lifelong commitment to reading God’s word.<\/p>\n If you give up something, give up something you care about. If you have coffee every day, then giving up coffee would be a sacrifice for you. If you have coffee only a few times a month, giving it up is really not really a sacrifice.<\/p>\n Substitute when you can. If you give up television and normally watch an hour or two a day, find something new to do with your time. It can be spiritually related depending on how much you want to do and are already doing. Consider taking a walk, reading religious books, volunteering at a nursing home, or some other community service. Make sure you don\u2019t fall into another habit you don\u2019t want to make though. Don\u2019t substitute your television watching with going to the movies with your friends.<\/p>\n I hope these tips help you review your Lenten journey and make changes as needed. Don\u2019t feel like you have to change your devotions if you feel like you are right on track. Remember also that everyone is different. What might work for a friend may not work for you. Wishing you all a spiritually fruitful Lent!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"![\"Praying](\"http:\/\/gowallace-002-site1.dtempurl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/Depositphotos_76957913_original.tiny_.jpg\")
<\/a>Substitutions are Allowed<\/h2>\n
Bueno Camino<\/h2>\n