~ STRATEGY ~
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"Better shun the bait than struggle in the snare. "
John Dryden
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Perhaps the most important strategy for
beating temptation is to avoid it
altogether. Temptation pits me head-on
with my disease and all of its cunning
and baffling ways. It's so much easier
to stay out of its claws and devices
than to try to free myself once caught
in its web.
What ways do I bring temptation right
into my house or provide access to
temptation when I go out? Do I keep
forbidden foods in my house? Have I
ever asked other family members to go
without those things because they are
dangerous to me or my recovery? Do I go
places or engage in activities that
increase my desire to eat compulsively?
Have I considered that, for now, I just
can't go certain places because of the
risk to my recovery? Have I considered
that I might have to give up socializing
with certain groups of people because
they lead me into temptation? Does
watching TV trigger compulsive eating?
Does putting myself in the company of a
certain individuals lead to self-
defeating behavior of any kind? Do I
continually expose myself to stressful
situations or people that tempt me to
eat compulsively? Do I continue doing
the things that tempt me to eat to ease
the feelings or emotions that come up
over it?
Perhaps I am in an unwholesome
relationship, or I overspend, or have
another addiction or compulsion. What am
I willing to do to recover? What am I
willing to change to keep myself out of
harm's way?
It is easy to pray for God to keep me
from temptation, but I must do my part
also.
ONE DAY AT A TIME . . .
I must remember to avoid the people,
places and things that tempt me to eat
compulsively and provide a way for the
disease to touch me again.